What opera have you been watching lately?

[Florestan]

Martha with Waltraud Meier (far left) as Nancy.

[Adrian]

Verdi : La Traviata
(old habits dye hard)
Fleming/ Calleja /Hampson.
Opus Arte

[JohnGerald]

To me, al least, this is one of the two top Traviatas on disc (with both being available in Blu ray, as well). The other is the Opus Arte release with Gheorghiu and Vargas. Amazon UK has another up for release at the end of the month which probably (since it was the first in 25 years or so) is the 2014 Glyndebourne performance which got rave reviews, and which I am eager to experience.

I know that the Willi Decker version with Netrebko and Villazon is beloved by many, but the staging continues to leave me cold. Vocally, though, it's sublime.

[Floria]

To me, al least, this is one of the two top Traviatas on disc (with both being available in Blu ray, as well). The other is the Opus Arte release with Gheorghiu and Vargas. Amazon UK has another up for release at the end of the month which probably (since it was the first in 25 years or so) is the 2014 Glyndebourne performance which got rave reviews, and which I am eager to experience.

I know that the Willi Decker version with Netrebko and Villazon is beloved by many, but the staging continues to leave me cold. Vocally, though, it's sublime.

I saw the Fleming version in the cinema and loved it.

I have the other Gheorghiu from the ROH which I thought was excellent.



The Willi Decker version I hate. I saw this production at the cinema with Natalie Dessay. I have no desire to ever watch this production again.

We watched the Opera Platform. It was a good production.
Teatro Real - Madrid
La Traviata

Fernando Radó - Dottore Grenvil
Ermonela Jaho - Violetta Valéry
César San Martín - Barone Duphol
Damián del Castillo - Marchese d'Obigny
Albert Casals - Gastone
Marifé Nogales - Flora Bervoix
Juan Jesús Rodríguez - Giorgio Germont
Francesco Demuro - Alfredo Germont
Alejandro González - Giuseppe
Marta Ubieta - Annina

[Soave_Fanciulla]

L'Italiana in Algieri in a venerable production by Jean-Pierre Ponnelle from Vienna, with a good cast including Anna Bonitatibus, Ildar Abdrazakov, Edgardo Rocha, and beautiful Aida Garifullina in an outfit that will make Alma's eyes pop out on stalks. I enjoyed it although I thought it was musically a little under-rehearsed, as there seemed to be some synchronicity problems between singers and conductor(Jesús López Cobos).

[Adrian]

I had some people over who want to see some Puccini.
So I offered this one from the Australian opera house : Cheryl Baker and David Hobson.
They where all over the place ," not all old people screaming on stage ....." ( I kept quiet )
I had to convince them that they are actually singers....

[Soave_Fanciulla]

I had some people over who want to see some Puccini.
So I offered this one from the Australian opera house : Cheryl Baker and David Hobson.
They where all over the place ," not all old people screaming on stage ....." ( I kept quiet )
I had to convince them that they are actually singers....

What a great idea as an intro to opera. I love this production!

[Adrian]

Verdi : Ernani.
Luciani Pavarotti/ Leona Mitchell/ Sherrrill Milnes/ Ruggero Raimindi.
Decca 0743228
Very good to see Leona Mitchell in a decent recording.
Much underrated in my humble opinion.

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

Verdi : Ernani.
Luciani Pavarotti/ Leona Mitchell/ Sherrrill Milnes/ Ruggero Raimindi.
Decca 0743228
Very good to see Leona Mitchell in a decent recording.
Much underrated in my humble opinion.

I love that one!! RR is on top form.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

Schubert: Fierrabras - Salzburg Festival 2014
Michael Schade (Fierrabras), Julia Kleiter (Emma), Benjamin Bernheim (Eginhard), Dorothea Röschmann (Florinda), Markus Werba (Roland), Georg Zeppenfeld (Charlemagne), Marie-Claude Chappuis (Maragond), Manuel Walser (Brutamonte)
Wiener Philharmoniker, Ingo Metzmacher

[JohnGerald]

Last night we watched Donizetti's Belisario, a Bongiovanni release. Belisario was composed after Lucia, and while not on the same level as Lucia, has a delightful score which was well sung by the cast. Belisario (Belisarius) was an historical character, a Byzantine general whom Montross (War Through The Ages) terms the greatest tactician of his age. Bongiovanni, BTW, seems to be doing for Donizetti what Opus Arte and Dynamic have done for Rossini, namely producing videos of his lesser known Operas. Poliuto, Gianni di Parigi, and Maria di Rohan.

[Florestan]

Ready to start a new opera video tonight. Choices are Don Pasquale, Matrimonio Segreta, or La Donna del Lago. Am thinking to start with Matrimonio Segreta, followed by Don Pasquale, then La Donna del Lago. I only get in 10-20 minutes several nights a week, so it will take a while. At the same time am halfway through Elisir d'amore with my son.

[JohnGerald]

I got two new DVDs this week: first was Maria di Rohan (Donizetti) and the other was the new Showboat from the SFO. I will post a review of the flawed, but essential Donizetti disc in the appropriate thread later.

But since there is no "appropriate thread" for Showboat, it not really being an opera, I'll just say this about the SFO's performance (and disc quality): WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Adrian]

Going to treat my new opera friend to some Mozart tonight.
On their request.
I am going for this one:


(couldn't find another cover, sorry)

[JohnGerald]

Last night we watched Opus Arte's Il Turco in Italia, with Myrta Papatanasiu, Bruno di Simone and Simone Alaimo. Il Turco was not initially successful, mainly because the audiences believed that it was L'Italiana in Algerie done over. It ain't. This performance bubbles with wit and charm, good singing and wonderful buffa acting, as well as intelligent conducting of the score, which is tuneful from beginning to end.