Opera
Reviews of full operas as well as collections and recitals of arias
Puccini: Madama Butterfly (Pristine Audio)
De los Ángeles is a winning Butterfly in this classic set, now reissued by Pristine [PT]
Penderecki: Paradise Lost (Dux)
A valuable Penderecki rediscovery undermined by problems of preparation and presentation [PCG]
Handel: Arias (Linn)
(Déjà Review) I will treasure this disc as a record of a fine singer at a wonderful peak in her career [RH]
Wagner: Das Rheingold (Deutsche Grammophon)
A stunning new high resolution transfer of this classic recording [MP]
Dvořák: Rusalka (Supraphon)
(Déjà Review) This is a recording which instilled in me a love of the opera which has so far not died; it will surely do the same for many new listeners [CH]
Bizet: Carmen (Pristine Audio)
A marvellous restoration of an old and half-forgotten recording [GF]
George Benjamin: Picture a day like this (Nimbus)
A beautiful, subtle, yet fully effective portrait of grief [MBu]
Ombre di luce – recital (Pentatone)
An attractive programme, very well sung, with several rarities [GF]
Michael Spyres (tenor): In The Shadows (Erato)
An interesting and enterprising recital but a question mark over the suitability of the voice for some of the material [PT]
Wagner: Parsifal (Deutsche Grammophon)
The best new Parsifal recording since Kubelik [SSc]
Verdi: Noble Renegades – recital (Delos)
Sound, solid singing does not compensate for a lack of tonal variety, elegance and refinement [RMo]
Britten: Billy Budd (Orfeo)
An interesting Billy Budd, but not a library choice [ST]
Verdi: Don Carlo (Orfeo)
Not only die-hard Verdians but all serious opera lovers should give it a try [GF]
Rossini: Guillaume Tell (Orfeo)
(Déjà Review) I enjoyed the fluency and vibrancy of this live performance [RJF]
Wagner: Siegfried (Pristine Audio)
This third instalment of the Knappertsbusch Ring will not disappoint enthusiasts [SB]
Pene Pati (tenor): Nessun Dorma (Warner Classics)
That Pene Pati is a talented tenor far beyond the ordinary is obvious, and I hope he isn’t tempted to take on heavier roles too early [GF]
Adams: Girls of the Golden West (Nonesuch)
An uneven opera but it’s presented in a performance that crackles with electricity [JQ]
Bizet: Carmen (Pristine Audio)
An authentically French, operetta-style Carmen of the kind you will not hear today – but over-refined and lacking punch [RMo]
Sonya Yoncheva (soprano) The Courtesan (SY11 Productions)
A captivating album of arias on a courtesan theme [MC]
Roberto Alagna (tenor): Roberto Alagna 60 (Aparté)
A vital and compelling celebration of Roberto Alagna’s 60th birthday [GF]
Gerhard: La Dueña (Chandos)
An opera with patches of real brilliance in a more than acceptable recording [MP]
Huw Montague Rendall (baritone): Contemplation (Erato)
A debut recital that every lover of great singing should treasure [GF]