mp
Mike Parr
J Strauss II: Der Zigeunerbaron (EMI Classics)
Johann Strauss’ Hungarian operetta truly sparkles in a performance that commands the field in spite of its age [MP]
Wagner: Die Feen (Orfeo)
A very fine cast and excellent sound makes this a decent version of Wagner’s difficult first opera [MP]
Weber: Oberon (RCA)
Weber’s magical score is lovingly presented on this fine set [MP]
Bertin: Fausto (Bru Zane)
A long-lost operatic curiosity. Well-performed but recorded harshly, with no sense of stage atmosphere [MP]
Rameau: Platée (Bel Air Classiques)
Laurent Pelly’s production has matured with age and Brownlee gives the performance of his career in the title role [MP]
Puccini: Il trittico (Decca)
Not a first choice recording but worth spending some time with for a few excellent individual contributions [MP]
Leoni: L’Oracolo (Decca)
Worth getting to know even in a less than successful recording [MP]
Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia (C Major)
Vocal riches in a depressingly hyperactive production that is devoid of amusement [MP]
Weber: Der Freischütz (Deutsche Grammophon)
One might go hunting for a more complete version of this opera, but this one does the trick in most respects [MP]
Humperdinck: Hänsel und Gretel (RCA)
Christa Ludwig’s amazing Witch is the crowning achievement of this still essential recording [MP]
Puccini: La bohème (Warner Classics)
This old recording still has plenty of rewards to offer [MP]
Verdi: Nabucco (Deutsche Grammophon)
Sinopoli and a powerhouse cast reveal unsuspected depths in Verdi’s early opera [MP]
Wagner: Das Liebesverbot (Orfeo)
A colourful Wagnerian romp with two outstanding interpreters among the large cast [MP]
Mozart: Zaide (Orfeo)
A very good cast in a version with more linking dialogue than on other recordings [MP]
Janáček: Káťa Kabanová (Decca)
An incandescent central performance heads an excellent ensemble cast under Mackerras’ renowned leadership [MP]
Rossini: L’italiana in Algeri (Decca)
A pleasing but hardly essential recording of Rossini’s opera, noteworthy for being the first recorded in stereo [MP]
Britten: Albert Herring (Decca)
A touchstone recording which is hard to beat for its general excellence and superbly detailed sound [MP]
Gloire immortelle! Grandes oeuvres patriotiques (Château de Versailles)
A pleasant romp through the realm of French patriotic music and beyond [MP]
Ponchielli: La Gioconda (Decca)
Perhaps not the finest La Gioconda recording but a deeply satisfying one nonetheless [MP]
Strauss: Die Ägyptische Helena (Decca)
Not ideal in every respect, this recording is a fine achievement nonetheless [MP]
Verdi: Macbeth (Decca)
A recording of power and presence, but with some really disfiguring cuts to the music [MP]
Daniel Behle (tenor) R Strauss & Wagner (Prospero)
An important album. One which may surprise those who admire this tenor’s Mozart recordings [MP]
Bizet: Carmen (Warner Classics)
The most authentically French recording of Carmen from the stereo era [MP]
Donizetti: La fille du régiment (Decca)
Sign me up for this regiment: this recording is as good as it gets [MP]
 |
 |
 |
Featured Naxos review |
 |
 |
 |
 |
