What opera have you been listening to, lately?

[Luiz Gazzola (Almaviva)]

So the library had this one and I watched it - but to be honest, although it was quite fun, it was nowhere near as good as the one I saw the other day - the conducting, singing, dancing, acting, linguistic fluency, general exuberance - even the attractiveness factor of the singers - are far superior in this:

I agree (and have this one as well). I was referring to the updated jokes. Of course, this one has Kleiber, so...

[Hoffmann]

You probably need it now. My favourite Norma by far too.

Yeah, I was afraid of that.

[Festat]

[Hoffmann]

You probably need it now. My favourite Norma by far too.

Ok, Nat, in these matters, I accept your authority!

Caballe Norma is apparently out of print, so ordered used off Amazon (1st time for that).

[Clayton]

Aida
Zinka Milanov, Jussi Bjorling, Fedora Barbieri, Leonard Warren, Boris Christoff
Jonel Perlea



Aaargh!

[Clayton]

Lakme
Joan Sutherland, Alain Vanzo, Gabriel Bacquier
Richard Bonynge



It was in my mind ever since the India against West Indies series but I only just listened to it again yesterday. I am glad I did, very beautiful.

[Hoffmann]

Lakme
Joan Sutherland, Alain Vanzo, Gabriel Bacquier
Richard Bonynge



It was in my mind ever since the India against West Indies series but I only just listened to it again yesterday. I am glad I did, very beautiful.

I love Lakme. Sutherland, really, if not to everyone's taste, is always good and usually sets an exceptionally high standard of performance. However, when you are ready for a second load in your mega shopping trolley, allow me to recommend this recording:

[Hoffmann]

Seeing Beatrice di Tenda on Clayton's list reminded me that it has been a while since my last listen, so:

[Clayton]

Seeing Beatrice di Tenda on Clayton's list reminded me that it has been a while since my last listen, so:

I love this recording. I also love the Luisi / Aliberti recording.



Though coming in at number one for me is Edita.



I will have to add Pinchas Steinberg, Vesselina Kasarova, Igor Morosow, Don Bernardini, Wiener Jeunesse-Chor and Orf-Symphonieorchester as well because it is a total package.

So thanks also to Branko Robinsak, Daniel Sumegi, Wiener Konzerthaus, Nightingale classics and the audience who were there on that night of the recording 30 January and 1 February 1992.

Finally I'd also like to thank most importantly Vincenzo Bellini.

Thank you also to his parents for bringing him... blah, blah, blah...

[Hoffmann]

I love this recording. I also love the Luisi / Aliberti recording.



Though coming in at number one for me is Edita.



I will have to add Pinchas Steinberg, Vesselina Kasarova, Igor Morosow, Don Bernardini, Wiener Jeunesse-Chor and Orf-Symphonieorchester as well because it is a total package.

So thanks also to Branko Robinsak, Daniel Sumegi, Wiener Konzerthaus, Nightingale classics and the audience who were there on that night of the recording 30 January and 1 February 1992.

Finally I'd also like to thank most importantly Vincenzo Bellini.

Thank you also to his parents for bringing him... blah, blah, blah...

Thanks for the recommendation! Though I may need to borrow your shopping trolley..

[Clayton]

Thanks for the recommendation! Though I may need to borrow your shopping trolley..

Ah! We must all practice control. It is only yesterday that I said to myself, "No more drinking and no more opera CD purchases this month!".

Good thing I said it on the thirtieth of the month.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

I take it all back. I puritani is pretty good. Lots of tunes. What was I thinking when I said it all sounded the same?

[Dark_Angel]

I take it all back. I puritani is pretty good. Lots of tunes. What was I thinking when I said it all sounded the same?

How fitting that Callas has brought you back to your senses.........

I love this 1953 Puritani, the 2nd opera Callas recorded for EMI after signing contract, Maria had 5 operas recorded in 1953 all essential. Stephano sings in a bold forte manor not heard today but with Callas a great match, also some great choral work often overlooked

To hear the true greatness of this recording there is an expensive Pristine Classical remaster with ambient stereo that sounds really great, check the long sound sample of mad scence (right above order CD button) male voices get huge upgrade and check the quasi stereo sound, very nice

[Soave_Fanciulla]

To hear the true greatness of this recording there is an expensive Pristine Classical remaster with ambient stereo that sounds really great, check the long sample of mad scence (right above order CD button) male voices get huge upgrade and check the quasi stereo sound, very nice

Thanks DA! Certainly Maria very fine on this, very pathetic in the original sense of the word. I wasn't honestly too wild about di Stefano - rather generic - but at least he was better than Cutler in the Met DVD.

Unfortunately because I listen on my MP3 player with headphones, it's probably not worth the upgrade to the Pristine Classical remaster. I have no high-end hardware in my house as I am discreet about my opera listening to avoid domestic upsets of the "can you turn that #$%$@ noise off" kind.

On the other hand my wallet is probably relieved I don't feel tempted!

[Dark_Angel]

So nice to have a good audiophile computer audio set up, I just put in the Callas Puritani CD after your post and could see all tracks with info for each track and could skip to any point of any track with mouse click........yesssssss