What have you been listening to, lately?

[HarpsichordConcerto]

HarpsichordConcerto listening to harpsichord concertos (complete) by Baroque opera composer Baldassare Galuppi.

Ensemble ConSerto Musico (on period instruments)

[Soave_Fanciulla]

[Schigolch]

[HarpsichordConcerto]

That's a highlights recording, right? If you want Alan Curtis conducting the complete wok, then try this:-

[Soave_Fanciulla]

That's a highlights recording, right? If you want Alan Curtis conducting the complete wok, then try this:-

I might well get it. I borrowed the highlights from the library, and I am very much enjoying the lovely Nancy Argenta in it.

No hurry though, i've got the whole of the Curtis box set to listen to, started with Rodrigo:

[Anne of Green Gables]

The other broadcast of Met's recent L'Elisir than one I followed live. This time was even better - the other time I had impression that Kwiecień wasn't warmed up in his first scene, this time he was amazing from the beginning. And Flórez gave the encore of Una Furtiva Lagrima. I don't like encores of such arias that create particular atmosphere which can't be hold up for encore but I was very impressed that he managed to sing it diffrently, he even added some improvised (I guess) variations in the end, what a man. If not the audience sounds (including phone ringing for a sec in last scene) I could belive it's studio recording - such perfection and purity.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

Very pretty. Kaufmann sounded wonderful and did his best with an unsympathetic role (what is Maurizio up to, smooth-talking creep?). Gheorghiu looked lovely, sounded pretty good and played la Gheorghiu to perfection (for once, not too far from the requirements of the role). When I see these two together they look fantastic but I cannot ever believe in more than a slightly cool professional relationship between them. I've never seen such tightly clamped-shut lips in a stage kiss.

The cherry on top was Alessandro Corbelli as Michonnet (actually my favourite character). It was great to hear Borodina but she really can't act at all, can she, makes Gheorghiu look like Sarah Bernhart.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

No hurry though, i've got the whole of the Curtis box set to listen to, started with Rodrigo:

I'm about halfway through and I must say Rodrigo sounds more like Vivaldi than Handel, especially the strings.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

Having myself some diva time:

[Schigolch]

[Dark_Angel]

Having myself some diva time:

I always buy almost every Callas release even though I have these versions already on other sets, Maria look very glam and svelte there.

The Dessay set is maddening since you see samples of all these great performances but for some you cannot buy the complete performance anywhere

[Dark_Angel]

I'm about halfway through and I must say Rodrigo sounds more like Vivaldi than Handel, especially the strings.

The Curtis boxset is not stylistically uniform......

there are a couple operas there recorded 10-15yrs before the others, the newer versions sound much better to me not because of sound but because Curtis changed/improved his style and singers now much better at baroque singing technique.....not complaining since low price is a steal over individual releases

[Soave_Fanciulla]

I always buy almost every Callas release even though I have these versions already on other sets, Maria look very glam and svelte there.

Maria is the reason that I got into opera. But I've listened to a lot since then. To be honest now I don't like her voice that much, although her artistry is stunning and her voice acting unparalleled. She even made me cry during "ritorna vincitor" from Aida. which is a first!

The Dessay set is maddening since you see samples of all these great performances but for some you cannot buy the complete performance anywhere

You are right. I'd certainly go for a few of those Hoffmans, and I wish she was on my French Lucie instead fo Ciofi (fond as I am of Ciofi).

There is always this to cheer you up, DA:

[Soave_Fanciulla]

The Curtis boxset is not stylistically uniform......

there are a couple operas there recorded 10-15yrs before the others, the newer versions sound much better to me not because of sound but because Curtis changed/improved his style and singers now much better at baroque singing technique.....not complaining since low price is a steal over individual releases

I'm not complaining about the set, it sounds fine to me, I'm just saying that Handel hadn't really developed his own unique sound at that point.

I'll have to get the great big Handel opera book our of the library to check up on this.

[MAuer]

Very pretty. Kaufmann sounded wonderful and did his best with an unsympathetic role (what is Maurizio up to, smooth-talking creep?). Gheorghiu looked lovely, sounded pretty good and played la Gheorghiu to perfection (for once, not too far from the requirements of the role). When I see these two together they look fantastic but I cannot ever believe in more than a slightly cool professional relationship between them. I've never seen such tightly clamped-shut lips in a stage kiss.

The cherry on top was Alessandro Corbelli as Michonnet (actually my favourite character). It was great to hear Borodina but she really can't act at all, can she, makes Gheorghiu look like Sarah Bernhart.

Have also been enjoying my copy of this video. Jonas K. and Gheorghiu sound and look gorgeous; agree that Borodina sounds marvelous, but really comes across as quite a frump. One can easily believe that Maurizio's supposed interest in her is feigned and designed only to further his political ambitions. Costumes are impressive (that first act with the actresses in various stages of undress would probably send Alma's Boob-o-Meter soaring ).