mp
Mike Parr
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]
Donizetti: Signor Gaetano (Pentatone)
A welcome debut recital which promises much for the future of bel canto singing [MP]
Mattheson: Boris Goudenow (CPO)
A long hidden operatic version of Boris Godunov gets its first recording with a respectable cast of young performers [MP]
Rimsky-Korsakov: Christmas Eve (Naxos)
A superlative cast in a crisply modern, but relatively faithful production of a rarely performed opera [MP]
Verdi: French Rarities (Dynamic)
One new Verdi discovery combined with some previously released material, all neatly performed [MP]
Mozart & Salieri: Requiem (Chateau Versailles)
A very interesting pairing on a single CD but the performance achieves mixed results [MP]
Humperdinck: Der Blaue Vogel (Capriccio)
A premiere recording of an incandescent lost score [MP]
Leoncavallo: Zingari (Opera Rara)
An all-round excellent effort to document a forgotten opera that likely won’t be returning to the stage anytime soon [MP]
Le Voyage en Orient (Hortus)
A well executed esoteric program, let down by the lack of useful documentation for the casual listener [MP]