Opera
Reviews of full operas as well as collections and recitals of arias
Donizetti: Alfredo il Grande (Naxos)
Alfred battles with the Danes and the lack of star-quality singers in this slightly disappointing release [MP]
Kennedy-Fraser/Bantock: The Seal Woman (Retrospect Opera)
Neglected Hebridean songs fused into a folk opera [EJW]
Wagner: Tannhäuser (Warner Classics)
A swings-and-roundabouts recording of the Dresden version of Tannhäuser – stick with Konwitschny and Solti [RMo]
Verdi: Macbeth (C Major)
A mediocre staging of Verdi’s first Shakespearean opera [DHa]
G Williams: The Parlour (Lyrita)
A historic recording of Grace Williams’ unique opera [PH]
Rossini: Otello (Opera Rara)
(Déjà Review) A natural aural ambience tells in its favour as does the liveliness and vibrancy of the chorus [RJF]
Prokofiev: War and Peace (BSO Recordings)
Excellent performances, but the Regietheater production, with cuts and changes, might undermine its artistic worth for many [RC]
Wagner: Götterdämmerung (Testament)
Keilberth ends Götterdammerung splendidly but that’s not enough – the world does not sound as though it is collapsing [DH]
Lalo: Le Roi d’Ys (Bru Zane)
A welcome set which will provide considerable pleasure with one outstanding performance [PSt]
Verdi: Ernani (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) Outstanding portrayals from Domingo and Bruson to compensate for an over-parted Freni [RJF]
R Strauss: Arabella (Naxos)
An excellent film of a good production and performance [RWe]
Mozart: Die Zauberflöte (Deutsche Grammophon)
A well-chosen selection from an already much-praised Flute [DM]
Leoncavallo: Pagliacci (Orfeo)
A mostly memorable night at the opera [RMas]
Janáček: Jenůfa (LSO Live)
Jealousy, pain, loss, stifling shame, ultimate redemption – another episode in the LSO’s Janáček odyssey [PH]
Saariaho: Adriana Mater (Deutsche Grammophon)
A powerful opera in a good performance but with inadequate presentation [SB]
Donizetti: Lucie de Lammermoor (Naxos)
This latest addition to the rather meagre discography of Lucie de Lammermoor will leave no one feeling shortchanged [GF]
Karine Deshayes & Delphine Haidan (mezzo-sopranos) Sisters (NoMadMusic)
A mix of popular and little-known works, which is a joy from beginning to end [MC]
Puccini: Tosca (Decca)
A rare misfire in Decca’s hugely impressive opera back-catalogue [LD]
Salieri: Cublai, gran kan de’ Tartari (Aparté)
Ignored for over 200 years, Salieri’s opera finally receives its time in the spotlight [MC]
Rossini: La pietra del paragone (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) A multitude of thanks are due to Naxos for this, proof positive that there is infinite joy to be gleaned from Rossinian by-roads [CC]
Leoncavallo: Pagliacci (Orfeo)
Plácido Domingo‘s formidable reading of the title role, and excellent singing by others [GF]
Verdi: Un giorno di regno (Fryderyk Chopin Institute)
Diverting but not definitive [SW]
Donizetti: Lucie de Lammermoor (Naxos)
A thoroughly enjoyable, beautifully sung outing for this rarely heard version of Donizetti’s masterpiece [RMo]
Vivaldi: La fida ninfa (cpo)
A Vivaldi opera performed with sensitivity, warmth and charm [MP]
