Opera

A gripping performance of a macabre, strangely compelling work [RMo]

This is a rewarding set, and fans of the singers, in particular, will be pleased [SB]

(Déjà Review) Mackerras conducts with love and understanding. The pacing is ideal, and the music’s lyrical intensity is experienced at every stage [TB]

A legendary classic from the early 1950s is resurrected in revelatory high definition sound [GF]

(Déjà Review) I defy anyone to play these tracks through once and not do so immediately again [ED]

(Déjà Review) If you come to terms with some controversial aspects, you could be watching one of the finest all-round operatic performances you will ever see [JL]

I will return to this recording with pleasure when I am in baritone mood [GF]

A welcome chance to reassess Meyerbeer’s posthumous opera in a new critical edition [MP]

(Déjà Review) A real feeling of spontaneity and excitement [CC]

A fine production of a neglected work, not quite Adriana Lecouvreur melodically, but a feast for admirers of Italian opera [EJW]

A classic ensemble recording further enhanced by Pristine’s remastering into gloriously full and detailed, if slightly over-reverberant, sound [RMo]

A good version but there are better [SB]

Now a truly complete guide to Wagner’s operas, in a fine new edition [RWe]

L’Olympiade is a worthy addition to the Cimarosa discography [GF]

One of Callas’ most inspired performances now slightly more listenable [MBu]

In its Full, Original Glory: Le astuzie femminili [DF]

A nice mixture of arias by Vivaldi and his less well-known colleagues [JV]

(Déjà Review) Highly approachable music … any lover of late-romantic opera will feel at home [GF]

(Déjà Review) An unmissable bargain, which I cannot recommend highly enough [JQ]

A good but hardly distinguished production, in terms of both performance and sound [RMo]

A deeply touching Butterfly and a thrilling Pinkerton who are all the more striking in Pristine’s vivid remastering [RMo]

A fine cast of singers are thrown out to sea by a pointless, dismal production [MP]

Attractive in every respect to lovers of Mozart, or of opera in general [GF]

Good, honest, open-throated singing in an intriguing and highly enjoyable reconstruction of a formerly lost work – and a star performance by the lead soprano [RMo]