Opera
Reviews of full operas as well as collections and recitals of arias
Lully: Acis et Galatée (Dynamic)
A premiere filming of Lully’s major stage work: intelligent production, convincing performance [RWe]
Stravinsky: Oedipus Rex (Dynamic)
A decent concert performance of Stravinsky’s great work, with a rarity to precede it [SB]
Weill: Propheten (Capriccio)
An interesting world premiere and a masterly reading of the Whitman songs [GF]
Leoncavallo’s Zazà
A survey by Ralph Moore
Verdi: Simon Boccanegra (Morrison Music Trust)
(Déjà Review) With the frisson of live recording and none of the drawbacks, this set can confidently be recommended on all counts [TH]
Albéniz: Henry Clifford (Decca)
(Déjà Review) Recommended for those looking for a vivid unfamiliar score to get their teeth into [LF]
Verdi: Un ballo in maschera (Pentatone)
In no way does this new recording displace its illustrious predecessors except in terms of the clarity of its digital sound [RMo]
Monologues (Prospero)
An outstanding album, groundbreaking in repertoire and programming, beautifully performed and recorded [GPu]
Herrmann: Wuthering Heights (Chandos)
Cathy finally comes home in Herrmann’s magnum opus superbly performed [NB]
Puccini: Manon Lescaut (Deutsche Grammophon)
(In Memoriam Déjà Review) Forget the limitations of this early video transcript and glory in Puccini’s music and the committed acting and singing [RJF]
Refice: Cecilia (Dynamic)
Excellent orchestral playing, choral singing and conducting compromised by sub-par solo voices and thus a missed opportunity [RMo]
Caldara: Arias for Bass (Pan Classics)
It is good to have almost a dozen never before recorded arias from Caldara in excellent readings [GF]
Handel: Tamerlano (Avie)
(Déjà Review) A great work which deserves to be discovered or rediscovered through this fine set [KM]
Franck: Hulda (Bru Zane)
This splendid recording reveals Franck’s opera to be a work of power and beauty [SB]
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]
