Opera

A totally forgotten opera that every lover of 18th century opera should hasten to acquire [GF]

An interesting alternative to the older Philips set, with another excellent cast [RMo]

An enjoyable and intriguing film that’s well worth seeking out [RMay]

A great and extremely effective recording drenched in splendour [RB]

(Déjà Review) A great recording of a great opera with especially marvellous conducting and singing [VM]

(Déjà Review) An exceptionally powerful musical and dramatic experience [GPJ]

A magnificent and comprehensive testament to the supremacy of the greatest singing actress of the 20C [RMo]

A benchmark production of Offenbach’s opéra bouffe, subtle yet full of colour [RW]

by Ralph Moore

The old Leinsdorf recording with Bergonzi and Price will never be redundant, but this is an admirable newcomer [GF]

An excellent production of a much-recorded opera that vies with the best [GF]

Stunning singing from a great dramatic soprano who might have done more but chose otherwise [RMo]

A French baroque opera exhumed in a tasteful and satisfying first recording [MP]

Two fine Berlioz performances from John Nelson [JQ]

The ace that trumped Solti [LD]

A winner in almost every respect featuring a new edition with an entire Act of previously unperformed music [MP]

A modern-dress production that plays it pretty straight, and a very strong singing team [ST]

(Déjà Review) This issue will be prized by admirers of the two principals, but there are drawbacks [CH]

A timely issue to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Caruso’s birth [GF]

A fine transfer of Flagstad’s farewell to the Metropolitan in a performance of great dignity [RMo]

(From the Archive) A conspectus in four parts by Bob Farr

Enjoyably tuneful music, a delight in these attractive accounts [RMay]

A classic staging and superlative cast return to the catalogue, newly minted on Blu-ray [MP]

A neglected baroque opera providing a surfeit of beauty, best enjoyed over a couple of days [NF]