mp
Mike Parr
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]
Boito: Nerone (Dynamic)
A valiant effort all-around but the cast is largely disappointing in vocal accomplishment [MP]
Bellini: Norma (Pristine Audio)
Five stars for Pristine’s sound rejuvenation but apart from Callas, the performance doesn’t live up to the quality of the transfer [MP]
Mozart: Mitridate, Re di Ponto (C Major)
Very high musical standards are let down by a disappointing production [MP]
Minkus: Don Quixote (Opus Arte)
A delightfully Spanish cornucopia of exuberant dances with an appealing cast and showing the Royal Ballet Company in top form [MP]
Paris 1913: L’Offrande lyrique (Nimbus)
A pleasing recital of French chansons all tied to the year 1913 [MP]
Bizet: Carmen (Pristine Audio)
Pristine Audio newly preserves Le Conte’s achievement in making Carmen as crisp and light as a freshly made churro [MP]
Donizetti: Il diluvio universale (Dynamic)
A strong cast is sabotaged by a pointless production which is visually distracting in the extreme [MP]
