Opera
Reviews of full operas as well as collections and recitals of arias
Raff: Samson (Schweizer Fonogramm)
Raff’s Biblical epic is splendidly served by this premiere recording [JW]
Rimsky-Korsakov: Kashchey the Immortal (Philips)
A decent representation of Rimsky-Korsakov’s rarely staged opera [MP]
Günther Groissböck (bass) I live alone in my heaven (Gramola)
A profile of the singer Günther Groissböck – no revelations, but there’s always the voice [ST]
Wagner: Die Walküre (Pristine Audio)
This second instalment of Knappertsbusch’s 1956 Ring is very acceptable [SB]
Wagner: Siegfried (Profil)
Superlative singing whose impact is somewhat compromised by the disappointingly cavernous mono sound [RMo]
Christine Brewer (soprano) Great Operatic Arias (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) Chandos’s faith in Brewer has been justified, completely and utterly [CC]
Donizetti: Alfredo il Grande (Dynamic)
No masterpiece, but a well-performed and welcome addition to filmed Donizetti [RMay]
Mozart: Don Giovanni (Orfeo)
A re-issue of one of Karajan’s best live Mozart outings with a superb cast, in decent sound [RMo]
Monteverdi: Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria (Sony Classical)
An audio treasure trove of fine performances, in an orchestration contrary to modern period performance dictates [MP]
French Opera Overtures (Chandos)
A mixed bag of goodies, distinctive and well worth a listen [RMay]
Rossini: Ermione (Naxos)
A happy release due to Fogliani’s impressive conducting, although there are a few reservations about the singing [MP]
Donizetti: La Favorite (Apex)
(Déjà Review) A bargain price introduction to an opera that has all the virtues of Donizetti’s melodic invention [RJF]
Puccini: Madama Butterfly (Pristine Audio)
A classic if not definitive recording, in superb sound [MBu]
Donizetti: La favorite (Naxos)
A complete recording of Donizetti’s La Favorite is let down by some less than beautiful singing [PT]
Meyerbeer: Le prophète (LSO Live)
A welcome release that promises much but doesn’t always deliver [MP]
Weber’s Der Freischütz
A survey by Ralph Moore
Offenbach: Colorature (Alpha Classics)
A wholehearted recommendation for the unhackneyed programme and the magnificent singing [GF]
Massenet: Werther (Bru Zane)
A version with a baritone title role, much more than a curiosity [RWe]
Verdi: Rigoletto (Warner Classics)
A powerful recording with much to commend it in spite of a few failings among the cast [MP]
Meyerbeer: L’Africaine (Naxos)
This praiseworthy live recording of L’Africaine will undoubtedly assist Meyerbeer’s rehabilitation [MC]
Havergal Brian: The Cenci (Toccata Classics)
A 1997 concert performance restored in good sound with splendid documentation [JW]
Rossini: La donna del lago (Opera Rara)
(Déjà Review) Sets the gold standard for recorded performances of this work [RJF]
Aigul Akhmetshina (mezzo-soprano): Aigul (Decca)
By far the best mezzo-soprano to emerge for a generation [RMo]
Mozart: Mezzo Mozart (Aparté)
Marina Viotti makes this an album of great Mozart arias hard to resist. [MC]
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