Opera
Reviews of full operas as well as collections and recitals of arias
Donizetti: Don Pasquale (Warner Classics)
A good alternative choice recording featuring some very winning performances among the cast [MP]
Hindemith: Die Harmonie der Welt (Wergo)
An excellent performance and recording of this magnificent, all but unknown opera [PSh]
Verdi: Noble Renegades – Scenes & Arias (Delos)
A stimulating and well-sung programme with lots of atmosphere from the stage [GF]
Mozart: Idomeneo (Archiv Produktion)
Idomeneo tastefully presented but takes the risk of being too often over-refined [MP]
Meyerbeer: Le prophète (LSO Live)
It is pleasing to see Meyerbeer operas receiving attention and this live recording is first-class [MC]
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]
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Featured Naxos review |
Featured Naxos review |
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