Verdi
Verdi: Simon Boccanegra (Prima Classic)
A one-dimensional Boccanegra, no match for Abbado’s classic [ST]
Verdi: La traviata (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) An excellent bargain which competes with the very best versions on record [DBe]
Verdi: La traviata (ICA Classics)
(Déjà Review) An enormously subtle creation enshrined for posterity [RMo]
Franco Corelli (tenor): The Alternative Repertoire (Urania Records)
A marvellous reminder of one of the best voices on record [DJa]
Verdi: Simon Boccanegra (Prima Classic)
A live recording of the 1881 version, with excellent sound, but vocally disappointing [DJa]
Verdi: Otello conducted by Toscanini (Pristine Audio)
(Déjà Review) Pick this one with confidence [ST]
Gundula Janowitz (soprano) In Concert (VAI)
I’d be willing to stay up all night to hear her [RMo]
The Golden Age of Singing Vol 1, 1900 – 1910 (Nimbus Prima Voce)
There is a reason why “The Golden Age of Singing” is so named here… [RMo]
Sir Thomas Beecham (conductor) The Complete Acoustics 1910-18
Characterful examples of Beecham’s first recordings performed by his zestful orchestra [JW]
Verdi: Requiem (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) Turn to this with confidence [ST]
Verdi: La forza del destino (Naxos)
A great Callas performance in a wonderful Verdi opera [PBW]
The Verdi Tenor: Marcelo Alvarez (Decca)
(Déjà Review) A worthy survey of Alvarez’s Verdi career [ST]
Verdi: Otello (Naxos Historical)
(Déjà Review) Among the essential recordings of this magnificent work [PBW]
Verdi: This is my Verdi (Dynamic)
A pleasing Verdi program, but the singer herself falls short [SV]
Kévin Amiel (tenor) Backstage (Aparté)
An enjoyable debut aria collection from Kévin Amiel [MC]
Maria Callas (soprano): Arias Volume 1 (Pristine Audio)
Once again, Pristine breathes new life into two established and indispensable recital classics [RMo]
Verdi: I Vespri Siciliani (Dynamic)
(Déjà Review) A generally well sung performance in the composer’s home town should be watched by opera producers as well as Verdi lovers [RJF]
Verdi: Il trovatore (Pristine Audio)
This fast and furious performance of Il trovatore will please some more than others [PT]
Verdi: Simon Boccanegra (CRQ Editions)
Tito Gobbi in one of his great roles at Covent Garden, by way of the BBC [PH]
Verdi: Macbeth (C Major)
A mediocre staging of Verdi’s first Shakespearean opera [DHa]
Verdi: Ernani (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) Outstanding portrayals from Domingo and Bruson to compensate for an over-parted Freni [RJF]
Great Singers in Moscow: 1901-1913 (Nimbus Prima Voce)
A remarkably listenable and comprehensive survey, showcasing the extraordinary depth of vocal talent available in Moscow in the first decade of the 20C [RMo]
Verdi: String Quartet
by Alan George
Verdi: Un giorno di regno (Fryderyk Chopin Institute)
Diverting but not definitive [SW]
