Opera
Reviews of full operas as well as collections and recitals of arias
Josephine Barstow (soprano) Final Scenes (Decca)
For me, the two outer tracks alone make this anthology of final scenes compulsory [RMo]
Puccini: Turandot (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) The pleasure that Caballé’s beautiful tone and imaginative approach gives is enormous [JS]
Schreker: Irrelohe (Sony Classical)
Exotically scored but melodically diffuse, this melodrama is given the best possible advocacy [RMo]
Szymanowski: Hagith (Polish Ministry of Culture)
A reissue of a unique and valuable recording undermined by catastrophic failures of presentation [PCG]
Cherubini: Les Abencérages (Bru Zane)
This first studio recording of Cherubini’s Les Abencérages is especially valuable [MC]
Mozart: Die verstellte Gärtnerin (CPO)
The new reference recording of Mozart’s Die verstellte Gärtnerin [DF]
Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro (Arthaus)
(Déjà Review) Technically dated and sung in German, but with a cast that sing and act to the manner born [GF]
Strauss: Elektra (Sterling)
A thrilling piece of live theatre commemorating the career of a great singer, despite cuts [RMo]
Puccini: Turandot (Warner Classics)
A fine entry to the Turandot discography with the original conclusion by Alfano [LD]
Mozart’s Idomeneo
A survey by Ralph Moore
Tchaikovsky: Iolanta/Stravinky: Mavra (Bayerische Staatsoper)
A marriage made in hell does no favours to either partner – perhaps we might hope for a divorce? [PCG]
Gomes: Salvator Rosa (Regis)
(Déjà Review) One can but thank Dorset Opera for their enterprise [CF]
Vivaldi: La Senna festeggiante (Château de Versailles Spectacles)
If you have no recording of this work in your collection, this is a good choice [JV]
Wagner: Golden Ring (Decca)
A sampler for the newly remastered Decca/Solti Ring demonstrates that the improvements are more than simply cosmetic [PCG]
Macfarren: The Soldier’s Legacy (Retrospect Opera)
A highly melodic Victorian opera – good tunes, vivacious duets, trio and quartets [JF]
Lortzing: Der Waffenschmied (Capriccio)
By and large, a worthy reading of Der Waffenschmied, and it is good to see a brand-new recording of the work [GF]
A guide to the best recordings of Gluck’s operas
by Ralph Moore
Verdi: Aïda (Pristine Audio)
A superlative transfer of an Aida which should be in every serious opera collection [PSt]
Marina Rebeka (soprano) Voyage (Prima Classic)
An attractive programme of songs by French composers [MC]
Handel: Giulio Cesare (Harmonia Mundi)
Probably the best DVD version and one of the best in any format [BW]
Auber: Le Philtre (Naxos)
This light-hearted comedy is charming entertainment and the presentation is worthy [GF]
Rautavaara: The Gift of the Magi (Arthaus Musik)
(Déjà Review) An intelligent, small-scale opera well performed, and accompanied by a moderately interesting documentary [Gpu]
Donizetti: Signor Gaetano (Pentatone)
A welcome debut recital which promises much for the future of bel canto singing [MP]
Korngold: Die Kathrin (cpo)
(Déjà Review) Music of your most romantic dreams and packing a grand emotional punch [RB]
