Dynamic
Stravinsky: Oedipus Rex (Dynamic)
A decent concert performance of Stravinsky’s great work, with a rarity to precede it [SB]
Refice: Cecilia (Dynamic)
Excellent orchestral playing, choral singing and conducting compromised by sub-par solo voices and thus a missed opportunity [RMo]
Scriabin: Visionary and Poet (Dynamic)
A mostly successful recital of early Scriabin with a couple of rarities [RCh]
Mascagni: L’amico Fritz (Dynamic)
A very good way to discover the attractions of Mascagni’s second opera [RWe]
Mercadante: Messa solenne (Dynamic)
An intriguing revival of music which makes grand gestures but mostly remains oddly bland and uninvolving [RMo]
Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos (Dynamic)
A modern-dress production that plays it pretty straight, and a very strong singing team [ST]
Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen [Dynamic)
A spectacular staging of a visually impressive and finely performed Ring from Bulgaria [GT]
Bellini: Bianca e Fernando (Dynamic)
A first video release of Bellini’s early work features some attractive singing and an elegant, if quirky, production [MP]
Mascagni: L’amico Fritz (Dynamic)
The Pavarotti- Freni recording still reigns, but this newest version is a worthy competitor [GF]
Porpora: L’Angelica (Dynamic)
This world premiere recording is an appetising taster for more Porpora [GF]
Mayer: Piano works (Dynamic)
Attractive miniatures in the mould of Schumann and Mendelssohn [RCh]
Malipiero: String Quartets (Dynamic)
A welcome reissue of Malipiero’s compact cycle [JW]
Carulli: Rediscovered (Dynamic)
Will challenge entrenched attitudes toward the solo music of Ferdinando Carulli [ZT]
Donizetti: L’elisir d’amore (Dynamic)
Another impressive release by the Donizetti Opera festival, uncut and on original instruments [RWe]
Verdi: French Rarities (Dynamic)
One new Verdi discovery combined with some previously released material, all neatly performed [MP]
Stradella: La Circe (Dynamic)
This recording shows that Stradella was one of the great composers of the 17th century [JV]
A Breath Between the Strings (Dynamic)
The British Harmonica School in safe Italian hands [JW]
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