Bizet

Paris, Pelléas, Party – a winning trio in this sparkling collection [RCh]

A marvellous restoration of an old and half-forgotten recording [GF]

A survey by Ralph Moore

Familiar recordings, probably skippable [SV]

An authentically French, operetta-style Carmen of the kind you will not hear today – but over-refined and lacking punch [RMo]

Let’s party! [RMay]

By far the best mezzo-soprano to emerge for a generation [RMo]

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

Many first-class performances to celebrate the 475th anniversary of the Staatskapelle Dresden [MC]

A valuable documentation of Delman’s versatility, musically, repertoire-wise and linguistically [GF]

Bizet’s L’Arlésienne returns to its original theatrical roots, and the revelation is enchanting in the hands of Plasson [PCG]

An altogether outstanding record of a thrilling event [TH]

A pleasing concert that will almost certainly cheer you up [MMB]

An 80-CD centenary salute to Marriner, with (or without) his ASMF [JW]

A pleasant romp through the realm of French patriotic music and beyond [MP]

The most authentically French recording of Carmen from the stereo era [MP]

A wonderfully entertaining programme with some real treats [RCh}

A fine performance of an oddball Bizet curiosity, but Mozart’s orchestration and vocal variety are sorely missed [MZ]

There are a few winners here, but no consistency [MP]

A ravishing debut album that heralds a great future for this artist [MP]

(Déjà Review) A great evening at the opera, crowned by Grace Bumbry’s great performance of Carmen [CH]

Pianist Valentin Malinin impresses with his technical ability, but with mixed musical results [LW]