Opera

Reviews of full operas as well as collections and recitals of arias

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Puccini: Madama Butterfly (Pristine Audio)

De los Ángeles is a winning Butterfly in this classic set, now reissued by Pristine [PT]

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Penderecki: Paradise Lost (Dux)

A valuable Penderecki rediscovery undermined by problems of preparation and presentation [PCG]

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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]

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Wagner: Das Rheingold (Deutsche Grammophon)

A stunning new high resolution transfer of this classic recording [MP]

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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 Le Conte Pristine PACO217

Bizet: Carmen (Pristine Audio)

A marvellous restoration of an old and half-forgotten recording [GF]

Benjamin Picture a Day Like This Nimbus

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]

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Wagner: Parsifal (Deutsche Grammophon)

The best new Parsifal recording since Kubelik [SSc]

Bizet’s Les pêcheurs de perles

A survey by Ralph Moore

Verdi: Noble Renegades – recital (Delos)

Sound, solid singing does not compensate for a lack of tonal variety, elegance and refinement [RMo]

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Britten: Billy Budd (Orfeo)

An interesting Billy Budd, but not a library choice [ST]

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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]

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Wagner: Siegfried (Pristine Audio)

This third instalment of the Knappertsbusch Ring will not disappoint enthusiasts [SB]

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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]

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Adams: Girls of the Golden West (Nonesuch)

An uneven opera but it’s presented in a performance that crackles with electricity [JQ]

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Sommernachtskonzert Schönbrunn 2024 (Sony Classical)

An excellent souvenir [RWe]

Bizet Carmen Le Conte Pristine PACO217

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]

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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]

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Huw Montague Rendall (baritone): Contemplation (Erato)

A debut recital that every lover of great singing should treasure [GF]