mp
Mike Parr
Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor (EuroArts)
This is chiefly of interest to fans of the star soprano who want a souvenir of her in this role [MP]
Smyth: Der Wald (cpo)
A really successful recording which can’t get the better of this somewhat thorny opera [MP]
Mozart: L’Enlèvement du sérail (Château de Versailles Spectacles)
A mixed bag of achievements for the first recording in French of Mozart’s singspiel [MP]
Talbot: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Opus Arte)
Alice remains a sheer delight 15 years later, and is now available in high definition [MP]
Bizet: The Fair Maid of Perth (Pristine Audio)
Beecham gives a classic account of this gem of a score [MP]
Vivaldi: La Gloria e Imeneo (Naïve)
A revelatory addition to the ongoing series of the complete works of Vivaldi [MP]
Lawrence Brownlee (tenor), Erin Morley (soprano): Golden Age (Pentatone)
A superb recital which should find a welcome home under any Christmas tree [MP]
Giacomelli: Cesare in Egitto (Alpha Classics)
Great talent and energy from all concerned for a Baroque rediscovery that might have been best left undisturbed [MP]
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]
Bembo: L’Ercole Amante (cpo)
A fine, newly discovered Baroque opera receives a confident debut recording [MP]
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]
Gassmann: Gli Uccellatori (Dynamic)
A pleasant diversion which does not engage one’s deeper emotions [MP]
Donizetti: Alfredo il Grande (Naxos)
Alfred battles with the Danes and the lack of star-quality singers in this slightly disappointing release [MP]
Britten: The Prince of the Pagodas (Hallé)
A fine new performance of Britten’s score doesn’t quite achieve top place among other versions [MP]
Vivaldi: La fida ninfa (cpo)
A Vivaldi opera performed with sensitivity, warmth and charm [MP]
Hahn: Le Dieu Bleu (B Records)
An interesting premiere recording of a ballet not seen for over a century [MP]
The Last Castrato. Arias for Velluti (Château de Versailles)
Mostly unheard gems by less familiar composers of the Bel canto era [MP]
Vivaldi: Arsilda (Naïve)
An important addition to Naïve’s ongoing series of the complete works of Vivaldi [MP]
Verdi: Il trovatore (Pristine Audio)
A finely produced package of golden age singing, splendidly refurbished for a new generation [MP]
Stravinsky: Le Rossignol (Erato)
Roth andLes Siècles provide enough musical revelations to make this the top choice among stereo versions [MP]
Manon (Opus Arte)
A good choice for the ballet enthusiast but it doesn’t outperform older versions of this production [MP]
Verdi: Complete Ballet Music (BR Klassik)
A superb release which should not be missed [MP]
