Puccini

The staging will divide opinion, but watch, listen, and let the performers convince you [WH]

A disc that no Puccini admirer can dispense with [GF]

A so-so “classic” recording [RMas]

Three impressive lead singers in a remarkably innovative staging which leaves the historic context far behind [RWe]

A sonically splendid recording of Tosca overshadowed by ghosts from the past [PT]

Charles Castronovo breathes new life to these smart orchestrations of Puccini’s piano songs [MC]

I have enjoyed hearing this praiseworthy collection of ten celebrated opera arias [MC]

A disk for all lovers of melodious music with substance; a happy mix, superbly played [GF]

A jewel of a recording, splendidly remastered by Pristine [MP]

Yes – we are hearing something special here [RMo]

An indifferent Scarpia, so this is not a premier choice, but great singing by Melody Moore and Ștefan Pop [GF]

A stream of imperturbably sedate tone, virtually devoid of characterisation [RMo]

Ten very well-filled discs documenting six glorious decades at the Paris Opera [RMo]

A palpable improvement over the remastering of the original mono recording and a fine performance in itself [RMo]

A star Is born! Let’s hope he will resist overexposure [GF]

Ekaterina Siurina’s voice is in mint condition, with perfectly controlled vibrato and a glowing delivery [GF]

The superb Asmik Grigorian sings all three female leads in the generally impressive performances from the 2022 Salzburg Festival [RWe]

(Déjà Review) Not just for anoraks, this is a marvellous introduction to Puccini [CF]

Not an ‘icon’ perhaps, but unmissable for admirers of Callas and Puccini [WH]

A lovely recital presenting Melody Moore as a worthy inhabitant of the pantheon of the present generation of sopranos [GF]

(In Memoriam Déjà Review) Forget the limitations of this early video transcript and glory in Puccini’s music and the committed acting and singing [RJF]

A dazzling Turandot that spectacularly misses the point [LD]

A gramophone stereo classic from the 50s is given yet more lustre by this splendid remastering [RMo]

Great sound, conducting, choral singing and orchestral playing, but only one principal singer who really comes up to scratch [RMo]