Verdi
Verdi: Requiem (Cleveland Orchestra)
A subtle, rather than spine-chilling performance, with a mixed bag of soloists [DJa]
Maria Callas Arias Vol 2 (Pristine Audio)
A stunning anthology of Callas at her very best, enhanced by being rendered into Ambient Stereo [RMo]
Gertrude Meller (piano): British Homochord Piano Solo Recordings (Sakuraphon)
Pianist rescued in brilliant fashion from undeserved obscurity [RCh]
The Italian Intermezzo (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) Magical, uninhibited heart-on-sleeve performances delivered in the very best Chandos sound [IL]
Plácido Domingo – The First Recital (Warner Classics)
Déjà Review) Open-toned, virile and expressive singing [RJF]
Montserrat Caballé (soprano): Rossini, Donizetti, Verdi: Rarities (RCA)
A classic recording which as a collection represents a repository of all that was best about Caballé’s art [RMo]
Verdi: Four Sacred Pieces & Hymn of the Nations (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) A most compelling disc [MC]
Verdi: La Traviata (Opus Arte)
(Déjà Review) Renée Fleming triumphs but this Covent Garden production is less than perfect [IL]
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]
