Opera

Reviews of full operas as well as collections and recitals of arias

Wagner Das Rheingold Frankfurt Opera Oehms OC935

Wagner: Das Rheingold (Oehms Classics)

(Déjà Review) Both performance and engineering are of the highest quality [GD]

Verdi: His Life and Operas (Part 2)

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

Verdi: Aïda (Pristine Audio)

In vocal terms this is arguably the finest complete recording of Aïda in the catalogue, in a sterling new transfer [MP]

Verdi: Un ballo in maschera (Sony Classical)

(Déjà Review) Verdi singing does not come much better than this [RJF]

Wagner ring 57964

Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen [Dynamic)

A spectacular staging of a visually impressive and finely performed Ring from Bulgaria [GT]

Puccini basile 8573874792

Puccini: Tosca (Warner Fonit)

(Déjà Review) There are plenty of reasons for having this as well as the Callas/De Sabata [CH]

Verdi: His Life and Operas (Part 1)

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

dolukhanova guild

Zara Dolukhanova (mezzo-soprano) Collection (Guild)

(Déjà Review) Despite some idiosyncrasies of style in the Mozart, this diverse collection should appeal to all lovers of singing

cabell soprano decca

Nicole Cabell – Soprano (Decca)

(Déjà Review) A remarkable voice and I am already longing to hear more from her [GF]

Giordano: Siberia (C Major)

Bregenz gives Giordano’s tragic tale a contemporary twist [RMay]

Sir Thomas Allen (baritone) Great Operatic Arias Vol. 2 (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) This collection does full justice to the finest lyric baritone Britain has produced since the Second World War [RJF]

Jessye Norman (soprano) The Unreleased Masters (Decca)

Supposedly hitherto hidden treasures from the vaults turn out to be something of a let-down [RMo]

Rossini italiana GCD921132

Rossini: L’italiana in Algeri (Glossa)

A very attractive recording with a lot of good singing, not least from the superb Vasilisa Berzhanskaya [GF]

massenet thais decca

Massenet: Thaïs (Decca)

Fleming is entirely convincing as a flirtatious and seductive courtesan for whom even a monk might risk his soul [RMay]

Bellini: Bianca e Fernando (Dynamic)

A first video release of Bellini’s early work features some attractive singing and an elegant, if quirky, production [MP]

Blow Purcell OABD7308D

Blow/Purcell: Operas (Opus Arte)

A delightful baroque double bill in an enjoyable period production and setting [PCG]

Piccinni didon GB260232

Piccinni: Didon (Bongiovanni)

The level of the singing is such that I cannot, with the best will in the world, recommend this issue [GF]

Siepi prima NI7942

Cesare Siepi (bass) (Nimbus Prima Voce)

Hearing Cesare Siepi in his mature youth is a treat indeed [GF]

Handel Semele NZ Opera Walls DVD Opus Arte OA1362D

Handel: Semele (Opus Arte)

A modern take on a Handelian opera which for once makes dramatic sense, and is good fun as well [PCG]

Mascagni L’amico Fritz Dynamic CDS7960

Mascagni: L’amico Fritz (Dynamic)

The Pavarotti- Freni recording still reigns, but this newest version is a worthy competitor [GF]

puccini turandot pristine callas

Puccini: Turandot (Pristine Audio)

Revitalised sound permits us to re-appreciate the manifest virtues of this recording, despite its flaws [RMo]

alwyn julie lyrita

Alwyn: Miss Julie (Lyrita)

(Déjà Review) Difficult to imagine a more focused or fervent performance [CC]

Gevorg Hakobyan (baritone): Arias of Love and Sorrow (Delos)

Uncertain singing, but honest music-making and interesting repertoire [GF]

Donizetti: La favorita (Pristine Audio)

Superbly remastered, a second-rank Donizetti opera blighted by Poggi’s unattractive contribution [RMo]