What have you been listening to, lately?

[Schigolch]

[Amfortas]

Can't decide if this is mindblowing dull or stunningly beautiful. A bit of both really, must depend on what mood you are in.

I felt much the same way, though edging toward the former.

On my MP3 player, continuing the Solti exploration. Keeps making the hairs on my arms stand up, killer brass, haunting woodwind.

Two words: Régine Crespin!

[Schigolch]

[Schigolch]

[Dark_Angel]

These are two great Atillas, hard to choose only one if pressed.
Gardelli has stronger cast overall, but Muti and Ramey are a powerful team that really gives this version an edge

[Schigolch]

[sospiro]

These are two great Atillas, hard to choose only one if pressed.
Gardelli has stronger cast overall, but Muti and Ramey are a powerful team that really gives this version an edge

I know - very hard to choose but for me I prefer Gardelli's tempi & Milnes' Ezio so that one gets my vote

[sospiro]

To celebrate the première of Mefistofele on this day in 1868, I've had this on the Walkman today.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

This has the added bonus of duets with Christophe Dumaux, and their voices go together perfectly. Not to mention that Purcell is a genius.



Vogt delivers the most poetic Winterstürme I have ever heard. And his diction is so clear I could understand every word and they painted pictures in my mind. I'd be his Sieglinde any time.

[emiellucifuge]

[Schigolch]

[Schigolch]

[Soave_Fanciulla]

Finished the Solti Ring. Was disappointed that my favourite bit of Siegfried was sung by Sutherland, got a bit sick of Nilsson's metallic timbre by the end, but then all was forgiven when I nearly passed out because I couldn't breathe during Siegfried's funeral march.




After all that I had to move on to something completely different; I really enjoyed all the Arabic/Jewish/Spanish sounding rhythms and Dawn Upshaw and Jessica Rivera's singing in this.




Now exploring the outer reaches of English Baroque and Italian Belcanto respectively

[Dark_Angel]

Pavarotti is the greatest modern Duke for me, comparing his magnificent 1971 recording to later 1988 where he was still in fine voice and also had a very strong cast. I actually like June Anderson's Gilda a bit more than Sutherland, either way two fine versions starring Luciano.....

[Schigolch]