Opera
Reviews of full operas as well as collections and recitals of arias
Donizetti: La Favorita (Pristine Audio)
Donizetti sung boldly, but not always stylishly [MP]
Handel: Arminio (Erato)
All Handel lovers will want to own this, the first recording of Arminio [KM]
Mattheson: Boris Goudenow (cpo)
Anyone with an interest in baroque opera should contemplate the acquisition of this premiere recording [GF]
Berlioz: Les Troyens (LSO Live)
(Déjà Review) The finest opera CD I have heard this year [MB]
Puccini: Turandot (C Major)
A dazzling Turandot that spectacularly misses the point [LD]
Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) An unusual and challenging interpretation with exceptional performances by the two leads [AO]
Herrmann: Wuthering Heights (Chandos)
Extracts from an almost unknown superb opera raise hopes for a new complete recording [PCG]
Weber: Oberon (Philips)
(Déjà Review) Playing and singing beautifully tailored to the score; an endless kaleidoscope of subtle colours [MC]
Spontini: La Vestale (Bru Zane)
Rousset and his team breathe new life into what is now the top choice recording for Spontini’s greatest opera [MP]
Verdi: Don Carlo (C Major)
A splendid memento of a magnificent production, despite too many cuts having been inflicted on the score [MP]
Britten: Noye’s Fludde (Pristine Audio)
Two world première Britten recordings remastered by Pristine make an enticing offering [PCG]
Lincke: Frau Luna (cpo)
A rare example of German operetta, well performed but flawed yet again by inadequate documentation [PCG]
Mozart: …che cosa è amor… (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) I have derived much pleasure from this disc and I expect many opera lovers will like it too [GF]
Handel: Cleofida, Königin von Indien (cpo)
Enriches the Händel discography and provides insight into Telemann’s talents as an arranger [DF]
Gounod: Faust (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Some of the most glorious tenor singing ever recorded [GF]
Mascagni: L’amico Fritz (Dynamic)
A very good way to discover the attractions of Mascagni’s second opera [RWe]
Handel: Serse (Linn)
Highlights the variety of Handel’s invention and showcases a superb lead singer [RMo]
Bizet: Carmen (DG)
(Déjà Review) A great evening at the opera, crowned by Grace Bumbry’s great performance of Carmen [CH]
Offenbach: La Périchole (Apex)
(Déjà Review) 67 minutes of unalloyed joy [RJF]
Wagner: Tristan und Isolde – An Orchestral Passion (Oehms Classics)
A brisk and brusque compendium of the main Tristan themes for the impatient, would-be Wagnerian [RMo]
Scarlatti G: I portentosi effetti della Madre Natura (Deutsche Harmonia Mundi)
A totally forgotten opera that every lover of 18th century opera should hasten to acquire [GF]
Rossini: Elisabetta regina d’Inghilterra (Opera Rara)
An interesting alternative to the older Philips set, with another excellent cast [RMo]
Springtime in Amsterdam (Naxos)
An enjoyable and intriguing film that’s well worth seeking out [RMay]
Herrmann: Wuthering Heights (Chandos)
A great and extremely effective recording drenched in splendour [RB]
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Featured Naxos review |
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