mp

Mike Parr

Festive Sounds (SWR Classic)

A pleasant hour of music basking in a warmly resonant recording [MP]

Charpentier: David & Jonathas (Château de Versailles)

A staging of French baroque opera at its finest [MP]

Cavalli: Il Xerse (Dynamic)

A welcome release, but with one important shortcoming [MP]

Hindemith: Cardillac (BR Klassik)

A fine tribute to the late conductor which currently has the field to itself on CD [MP]

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Żeleński: Janek (Naxos)

A buttoned–up attempt to transfer verismo opera to Poland, simply misses the point [MP]

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Graun: Silla (cpo)

A premiere recording that is mainly of interest to Opera Seria completionists [MP]

Soaked in Colour (Fuga Libera)

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

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Caplet: Le Miroir de Jésus (BR Klassik)

This illuminating performance is worth investigating [MP]

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Fatma Said (soprano) (Warner Classics)

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

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Donizetti: La Favorita (Pristine Audio)

Donizetti sung boldly, but not always stylishly [MP]

Spontini: La Vestale (Bru Zane)

Rousset and his team breathe new life into what is now the top choice recording for Spontini’s greatest opera [MP]

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Verdi: Don Carlo (C Major)

A splendid memento of a magnificent production, despite too many cuts having been inflicted on the score [MP]

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von Tilzer: Into Eternity (trptk)

This includes a handful of important compositions that provide a deeply touching experience [MP]

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Ave Maria (Decca)

A feast of gorgeous singing and despite a few odd inclusions, his legions of fans will love it [MP]

Desmarest: Circé (Château de Versailles Spectacles)

A French baroque opera exhumed in a tasteful and satisfying first recording [MP]

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Offenbach: La Vie Parisienne (Naxos)

A winner in almost every respect featuring a new edition with an entire Act of previously unperformed music [MP]

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Atlantic Crossings (Gramola)

An offbeat concept produces a very rewarding album [MP]

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Verdi: Falstaff (C Major)

A classic staging and superlative cast return to the catalogue, newly minted on Blu-ray [MP]

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Lully: Psyché (Château de Versailles Spectacles)

Rousset’s lively new version of Psyché offers the listener much pleasure [MP]

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Stravinsky: The Soldier’s Tale (Hallé)

A fine achievement all around [MP]

Verdi: Aïda (Pristine Audio)

In vocal terms this is arguably the finest complete recording of Aïda in the catalogue, in a sterling new transfer [MP]

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]

Wolf-Ferrari: Das Himmelskleid (Naxos)

A fine performance of an opera that may be best left forgotten [MP]

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Donizetti: Signor Gaetano (Pentatone)

A welcome debut recital which promises much for the future of bel canto singing [MP]