What opera have you been listening to, lately?

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

Now that is funny.
I use my computer connected to the tv to watch Cricket. My tiny brain and I never thought about connecting it to watch Opera DVD!
Thank you, you have opened a whole new world to me!
I am ordering some DVD's straight away!

You must let us know what you buy!

[Clayton]

You must let us know what you buy!

For a start the Anna Bolena as suggested by Dark_Angel, the DG Anna Netrebko/Elina Garanca production. I liked that combination in I Capuleti E I Montecchi.

[Clayton]

My wife has gone to London shopping for the day. So this morning I shall be listening to



at a volume where "Esultate!" will be heard at a volume where it will be like Signor Del Monaco himself is in my living room asking me to rejoice on his return from the grave.

[Hoffmann]

[Clayton]

Nothing to say.

Except that

Now I've gone and spoilt it

sorry

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

Nothing to say.

Except that

Now I've gone and spoilt it

sorry

This opera is definitely in my all time top ten favourites & I love the version above just as much as this

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

Homework. Was struggling but liking it more now.

[Clayton]

This opera is definitely in my all time top ten favourites & I love the version above just as much as this

Gosh, I don't know exactly what number but I think I can cut that number ten in half. At least. I don't have any other recording and never thought I would look. Until today. After reading your comment I have now purchased the Muti/Caballe version as well.

More importantly; which match was it where you poured beer over Terry's, sorry Mr Waterman's head?

[Hoffmann]

I also love that Sutherland/Pavarotti/Bonynge I Puritani. I'm tired of Pavarotti, though, so maybe the Caballe/Muti cd needs to go on my - growing - want list.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

I've just watched Rameau's Hippolyte et Aricie from Glyndebourne - the "gods in the fridge with giant broccoli" one. I'm not really convinced about the production, but got past it by just concentrating on the excellent and heartfelt singing and acting by the principals. Sarah Connolly was, as usual, a tour de force, and it was great to see Ed Lyon in a major role ON the stage rather than swinging in a basket like a chicken (vide ROH Les Troyens). I think, BTW, that this my favourite Rameau opera, because the music is amazing (all that invention and exuberance waiting to be poured into his first opera at the age of fifty) and the story is so meaty (cougar fancies husband's hunky son, son in love with innocent maiden, husband arguing his way into and out of Hades, monsters, clouds of flame, gods meddling left right and centre).

[Dark_Angel]

Madama Butterfly from the Met.

Visually stunning production with dramatic visuals and vibrant color palette, masterful direction and good singing/acting. Overhead angled mirror amplifies stunning visual scenes

I do not like the use of puppet for young son requiring guys in black suit to operate, cumbersome forced detail, otherwise a strong buy.

[Dark_Angel]

Should have been much better, the Las Vegas/Rat Pack theme is very cool but Rigoletto complex character is never logically convincingly developed as well as Gilda, just a string of scences patched together really. Nice visuals and great singing but there are better Rigolettos overall to be had......

[Soave_Fanciulla]

Should have been much better, the Las Vegas/Rat Pack theme is very cool but Rigoletto complex character is never logically convincingly developed as well as Gilda, just a string of scences patched together really. Nice visuals and great singing but there are better Rigolettos overall to be had......

The 50s theme works better in the old ENO production, particularly as it's so overtly the Mafia.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

Visually stunning production with dramatic visuals and vibrant color pallatte, masterful direction and good singing/acting. Overhead angled mirror amplifies stunning visual scences

I do not like the use of puppet for young son requiring guys in black suit to operate, cumbersome forced detail, otherwise a strong buy.

I agree that it's a great production, but for me the puppet is the clincher, I love it, found it much more moving than a real child (who usually looks blank and rather embarrassed at all the hugging by strange looking middle-aged ladies who make WAY too much noise while doing so). The skill of those Bunraku puppet operators is mind-blowing, the way they make the puppet move so naturally. In fact the puppet looked more natural and emotional than Marcello Giordani, who to me is the real weak link of this production. Lovely guy, but....

[Hoffmann]

I like this way, way, better than the Opera Rara recording. Caballe sings effortlessly, hitting her mark every time. This sounds much more like Bellini - although it's probably that my ears are more accustomed to that 1970s sound..