What opera have you been watching lately?

[Soave_Fanciulla]

Same production as the DVD with Ramey, and I enjoyed it at least as much; of course the sound quality and picture are much better:

[Florestan]

[Soave_Fanciulla]

I really enjoyed this version of Artaserse (and for once I already knew the plot), but it would have been worth buying just for this tour de force from Franco Fagioli:

[Sonata]

Rented from Amazon video, Verdi's first opera:

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

Don Giovanni opera with English subtitles. Zurich 2001 production.

Don Giovanni - Rodney Gilfry
Leporello - László Polgár
Donna Anna - Isabel Rey
Don Octtavio - Roberto Saccà
Donna Elvira - Cecilia Bartoli
Zerlina - Liliana Nikiteanu
Masetto - Oliver Widmer
Commendatore - Matti Salminen
Conductor - Nikolaus Harnoncount
Director - Brian Large

Not keen on Gilfry but László Polgár's Leporello is wonderful. Sad that he died young. Bartoli is superb.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

I rather wish I had not watched the Carsen San Francisco production because it was still in my mind when I saw this which seemed rather glum and daft in comparison. Great singing from the boys though.

[Nemorino]

Last opera for me in 2016 was Le nozze di Figaro in the David Bösch production in Amsterdam (on Opera Platform). Great show, I thought. There were a couple directorial touches that didn't quite come off well, but a lot that I really enjoyed. In particular, the bit of "curtain up" staging that goes on during the overture is pretty fantastic, in my opinion. A good introduction to some of the characters, and a whirlwind of busy-ness that fits thematically with the music. I encourage you all to go watch that bit, even if you don't watch the whole thing; I want to hear what the rest of you think.

Personally, I like the idea of staging something during overtures (although, it's usually not done as well as this), but I hear it's not popular with everyone.

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

Last opera for me in 2016 was Le nozze di Figaro in the David Bösch production in Amsterdam (on Opera Platform). Great show, I thought. There were a couple directorial touches that didn't quite come off well, but a lot that I really enjoyed. In particular, the bit of "curtain up" staging that goes on during the overture is pretty fantastic, in my opinion. A good introduction to some of the characters, and a whirlwind of busy-ness that fits thematically with the music. I encourage you all to go watch that bit, even if you don't watch the whole thing; I want to hear what the rest of you think.

Personally, I like the idea of staging something during overtures (although, it's usually not done as well as this), but I hear it's not popular with everyone.

That's one of my favourite productions!

[MAuer]

The perfect start to a new year! (Well, it is for me, anyway!)

[Amfortas]

The perfect start to a new year! (Well, it is for me, anyway!)

Way to stay true to your passions, Mary! You always show such . . . fidelity.

[Florestan]

The perfect start to a new year! (Well, it is for me, anyway!)

I have about eight Fidelio DVDs and this one is wonderful, although not my favorite for the sets. Camille Nylund is a great Fidelio too.

I started my new year with a complete listen to the Krauss Ring. Am on Gotterdammerung now. Just could not fit it into one day.

[Florestan]

[Soave_Fanciulla]

Having an Opera Platform binge watch

Monteverdi's Orfeo, translated into German and with a new orchestration (and new music?), by composer Elena Kats-Chernin, in a visually gorgeous production by the ubiquitous Barrie Kosky. Standout performance from Dominik Köninger as Orpheus who can do complicated dances and sing arias at the same time.


Rossini La Cenerentola from Lille. Didn't like the production (too many 70s colours, and the makeup made everyone look like Mimì in the last stages of acute consumption), but gorgeous singing especially from Emily Fons and Taylor Stayton.

[Florestan]

^ That Cenerentola looks very interesting!

[Nemorino]

gorgeous singing especially from Emily Fons

Yay! She was a standout performer at Santa Fe last summer, and that with only the small role of Stephano in Romeo et Juliette. She's one to watch out for, I think.