Verdi
Verdi: Rigoletto (Warner Classics)
A powerful recording with much to commend it in spite of a few failings among the cast [MP]
Verdi: Il trovatore (High Definition Tape Transfers)
A legendary classic from the early 1950s is resurrected in revelatory high definition sound [GF]
Verdi: Il Trovatore (Divina Records)
One of Callas’ most inspired performances now slightly more listenable [MBu]
475 Jahre Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden (Profil)
Many first-class performances to celebrate the 475th anniversary of the Staatskapelle Dresden [MC]
Leontyne Price (soprano) Personal Choice (Alto)
One of the most glorious female voices of the 20th century, in a selection from famous recordings [EJW]
New Year’s Concert – Teatro La Fenice 2023 (C Major)
A pleasing concert that will almost certainly cheer you up [MMB]
Verdi: Nabucco (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) Worth the price for Guleghina’s Abigaille [RJF]
Verdi: Nabucco (Deutsche Grammophon)
Sinopoli and a powerhouse cast reveal unsuspected depths in Verdi’s early opera [MP]
Verdi: Macbeth (Decca)
A recording of power and presence, but with some really disfiguring cuts to the music [MP]
Verdi: I Lombardi alla prima crociata (BR Klassik)
An exciting, red-blooded performance, captured live in the clearest sound of any available version [MP]
Verdi: I Lombardi alla Prima Crociata (BR Klassik)
The choral singing is first class, but the soloists are disappointing; the two old Gardelli recordings are better [GF]
Ekaterina Siurina (soprano) Where Is My Beloved? (Delos)
I have enjoyed hearing this praiseworthy collection of ten celebrated opera arias [MC]
Ekaterina Siurina (soprano): Where Is My Beloved? (Delos)
A stream of imperturbably sedate tone, virtually devoid of characterisation [RMo]
The Paris Opera 1900-1960 (Malibran Music)
Ten very well-filled discs documenting six glorious decades at the Paris Opera [RMo]
Verdi: Messa da Requiem (RCA)
A great soprano soloist and a fine choir and orchestra, very well directed, still cannot save this account from mediocrity [RMo]
Verdi: Falstaff (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) Truly one of the ‘Great Recordings of the Century’ [CF]
Verdi: Requiem (C major)
A superb performance of a work Karajan often conducted, with fine soloists [RWe]
Ekaterina Siurina (soprano) Where Is My Beloved? (Delos)
Ekaterina Siurina’s voice is in mint condition, with perfectly controlled vibrato and a glowing delivery [GF]
Verdi: Falstaff (Pristine Audio)
Pristine revitalises another indispensable gramophone classic but the improvement over the RCA issue is only marginal [RMo]
Remembering Tebaldi (Pentatone)
A lovely recital presenting Melody Moore as a worthy inhabitant of the pantheon of the present generation of sopranos [GF]
Verdi: Simon Boccanegra (Morrison Music Trust)
(Déjà Review) With the frisson of live recording and none of the drawbacks, this set can confidently be recommended on all counts [TH]
Verdi: Un ballo in maschera (Pentatone)
In no way does this new recording displace its illustrious predecessors except in terms of the clarity of its digital sound [RMo]
Verdi: Don Carlo (C Major)
A splendid memento of a magnificent production, despite too many cuts having been inflicted on the score [MP]