Opera
Reviews of full operas as well as collections and recitals of arias
The Verdi Tenor: Marcelo Alvarez (Decca)
(Déjà Review) A worthy survey of Alvarez’s Verdi career [ST]
Tippett: A Child of Our Time (London Philharmonic Orchestra)
An outstanding performance [JQ]
Verdi: This is my Verdi (Dynamic)
A pleasing Verdi program, but the singer herself falls short [SV]
Rossini: Adina (C Major)
A sprightly, colourful rendition of a little-known opera, essential for all Rossini fans [CRo]
Rameau: Castor et Pollux (Alpha Classics)
An accomplished and stylistically faithful account of Rameau’s third opera [RMo]
Gluck: Opera Highlights (Alto)
Ferrier brings real passion, classical purity and strength of line [RH]
Adam, Hahn & Offenbach: Operas (Naxos)
A collection of Parisian delicacies served in fine style [MP]
Mozart: Idomeneo (BR Klassik)
This new Idomeneo is almost the one we have all been waiting for [MP]
Donizetti: L’Elisir d’amore (VAI)
(Déjà Review) Strictly for opera addicts interested in how it used to be done [RJF]
Britten: Billy Budd (Virgin Classics)
(Déjà Review) Has changed the whole way I listen to Billy Budd (AO]
Offenbach: Orphée aux Enfers (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) Singers who know how to sing Offenbach and to act it [JPJ]
Strauss: Salome (Opus Arte)
(Déjà Review) I’ll be coming back to this again and again [ST]
Strauss: Elektra (Capriccio)
(Déjà Review) Varnay and Fischer are superb, alas in compromised sound [DH]
Bembo: L’Ercole Amante (cpo)
A fine, newly discovered Baroque opera receives a confident debut recording [MP]
Mozart: Die Zauberflöte (Pristine Audio)
With Pristine’s remastering, this becomes a worthy alternative to more modern recordings [GF]
Weldon: The Judgment of Paris (AAM)
A vivacious and engaging competition-winning masque performed with real style [JW]
Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer (Naxos)
Vocally flawed and dramatically inert; you can do much better with either a vintage recording or the recent Decca issue [RMo]
Ravel: L’Enfant et les sortilèges & L’heure Espagnole (Deutsche Grammophon)
A sparkling pair of Ravel’s contrasting operas, justifying their status as “gramophone classics” [RMo]
Mozart: Idomeneo (BR Klassik)
A new Idomeneo and another excellent release from Rattle and the Bavarians [PH]
d’Orléans: Suite d’Armide ou Jérusalem délivrée (Château de Versailles)
A Baroque masterpiece that has been skillfully prepared but is compromised by irritating microphone placement [MP]
Donizetti: Zoraida di Granata (Dynamic)
A classy production of an unfamiliar opera with a more than respectable cast of singers [MP]





































