What opera have you been listening to, lately?

**Soave_Fanciulla** · October 9th, 2013, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by MAuer

(And that ridiculous cap -- American cops haven't worn something in that particular style since the 1950s or '60s.)

**Hoffmann** · October 10th, 2013, 12:05 AM

Originally Posted by Soave_Fanciulla

**Amfortas** · October 10th, 2013, 12:58 AM

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

**MAuer** · October 10th, 2013, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by Soave_Fanciulla

Careful -- you may give some Regisseur ideas!

**Itullian** · October 11th, 2013, 01:53 AM

Excellent!

**StLukesGuildOhio** · October 11th, 2013, 02:11 AM

Beside Ms. DiDonato... who is marvelous... I find that a good many of my favorite contemporary singers are mezzo-sopranos:

Joyce DiDonato
Cecilia Bartoli
Elīna Garanča
Susan Graham
Magdalena Kožená
Lorraine Hunt Lieberson
Anne Sofie von Otter
Frederica von Stade
Waltraud Meier

A majority of these women are among the most intelligent and discerning when it comes to musical selection... often at the heart of the rediscovery of forgotten or less-well-known works. But then there's also a richness to the mezzo voice... a sensuality... like chocolate... akin to the clarinet.

**Soave_Fanciulla** · October 11th, 2013, 03:57 AM

Originally Posted by StLukesGuildOhio

Beside Ms. DiDonato... who is marvelous... I find that a good many of my favorite contemporary singers are mezzo-sopranos:

Joyce DiDonato
Cecilia Bartoli
Elīna Garanča
Susan Graham
Magdalena Kožená
Lorraine Hunt Lieberson
Anne Sofie von Otter
Frederica von Stade
Waltraud Meier

A majority of these women are among the most intelligent and discerning when it comes to musical selection... often at the heart of the rediscovery of forgotten or less-well-known works. But then there's also a richness to the mezzo voice... a sensuality... like chocolate... akin to the clarinet.

Absolutely, at least as far as female singers are concerned. I like your list, and I'd like to add a few of mine:

Daniela Barcellona
Nathalie Stutzmann
Marie-Nicole Lemieux
Stéphanie d'Oustrac
Stephanie Blythe
Romina Basso
Sarah Connolly
Alice Coote
Sara Mingardo
Angelika Kirschlager
Sonia Prina

And two young'uns who've made an impression on me:
Hanna Hipp
Elizabeth DeShong

**Amfortas** · October 11th, 2013, 08:04 AM

Let us not forget (for at least part of her career) Anna Caterina Antonacci.

**Soave_Fanciulla** · October 11th, 2013, 08:41 AM

Finally, a DVD of Die Tote Stadt with a well-thought-out production and excellent singers. This is an A+++ in my book, watched it twice in a row and I think I'll need another spin.

**Itullian** · October 11th, 2013, 09:14 PM

Excellent.

**Itullian** · October 12th, 2013, 10:50 PM

Fantastic singing and conducting. Uhde a great Wotan.
Excellent mono sound.
Love it.

**Dark_Angel** · October 12th, 2013, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by Itullian

Fantastic singing and conducting. Uhde a great Wotan.
Excellent mono sound.
Love it.

Don't stop now, keep going......

**Dark_Angel** · October 12th, 2013, 11:18 PM

Also Kempe had a 1957 Ring from ROH.......

**Itullian** · October 13th, 2013, 12:02 AM

They're on my list DA.
Not sure of the sound on the ROH one though.

The sound on the 60's Bayreuth set is very good. Really one of the best Rheingolds I've EVER heard.

A 62 Kempe cycle is coming out too.
Whats a Wagner nut to do?

**Clayton** · October 13th, 2013, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by Itullian

...Whats a Wagner nut to do?...

I was wrong; Itullian not "a bit of a Wagner fan".

Itullian = "Wagner nut"

"...Unlike most popular nuts like the Brazilian nut or the Macademia nut, the Wagner nut can be found all over the world... ...and is slightly more fruitier..."

I nominate Itullian as my "go to" for further info on Wagner...