Opera

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

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]

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Donizetti: La Favorite (Apex)

(Déjà Review) A bargain price introduction to an opera that has all the virtues of Donizetti’s melodic invention [RJF]

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Puccini: Madama Butterfly (Pristine Audio)

A classic if not definitive recording, in superb sound [MBu]

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Donizetti: La favorite (Naxos)

A complete recording of Donizetti’s La Favorite is let down by some less than beautiful singing [PT]

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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]

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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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Meyerbeer: L’Africaine (Naxos)

This praiseworthy live recording of L’Africaine will undoubtedly assist Meyerbeer’s rehabilitation [MC]

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Havergal Brian: The Cenci (Toccata Classics)

A 1997 concert performance restored in good sound with splendid documentation [JW]

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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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Zemlinsky: Eine florentinische Tragödie (Pentatone)

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

Wagner Rheingold Knappertsbusch Pristine PACO210

Wagner: Das Rheingold (Pristine Audio)

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

Deja Review Janacek Cunning Little Vixen Mackerras Arthaus DVD 100240

Janáček: The Cunning Little Vixen (Arthaus Musik)

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

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Verdi: Il trovatore (High Definition Tape Transfers)

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

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Martial Singher (baritone) French Opera Arias (Pristine Audio)

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

Wagner: Parsifal (Opus Arte)

(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]