Opera

(Déjà Review) Some of the most glorious tenor singing ever recorded [GF]

A very good way to discover the attractions of Mascagni’s second opera [RWe]

Highlights the variety of Handel’s invention and showcases a superb lead singer [RMo]

(Déjà Review) A great evening at the opera, crowned by Grace Bumbry’s great performance of Carmen [CH]

(Déjà Review) 67 minutes of unalloyed joy [RJF]

A brisk and brusque compendium of the main Tristan themes for the impatient, would-be Wagnerian [RMo]

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]