What opera have you been listening to, lately?

[Itullian]

It's Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg that I don't have and haven't heard yet.

I would like to make his acquaintance soon.

It's different than Wagners other operas. Conversational in nature with glorious music.
Some don't take to it. I, of course, am in love with it.

[Amfortas]

How wonderful to discover Meistersinger for the first time!

[Clayton]

So what do you guys think, Kubelik or Solti or other (please specify)

[Itullian]

So what do you guys think, Kubelik or Solti or other (please specify)

Wow, that's a toughy. Those are my top two picks. The Solti for spectacular sound and chorus.
The Kubelik edges out for the singing..
Van Dam for Solti is good, but a tad light for the role.
I couldn't be without either.

[Hoffmann]

I have this Solti - but on LP, so haven't listened to it in, mmmm, how long? 25 years? Haven't thrown it away, though, might still be able to rescue the thing:


I'm not too broken up about it, though. It's hard for me to imagine anything any where surpassing the singing on the Kubelik:

[Clayton]

Tchaikovsky: Pique Dame
Julia Varady (Lisa), Elena Obraztsova (Countess), Vladimir Atlantov (Hermann), Alexander Voroshilo (Tomsky), Bodo Brinkmann (Yeletsky), Ludmila Shemchuk (Pauline), Yoshihisa Yamaji (Chekalinsky), Karl Helm (Surin), Ulrich Reß (Chaplitsky), Alfred Kuhn (Narumov), Friedrich Lenz (Master of Ceremonies), Gudrun Wewezow (Governess) & Carmen Anhorn (Masha)
Chor der Bayerischen Staatsoper & Bayerisches Staatsorchester,
Algis Shuraitis
Live recording 24 Nov 1984



Varady is beautiful and Obraztsova a magnificent Countess.
Act 2: Akh, Postyl Mne Etot Svet! ... "Je Crains De Lui Parler La Nuit". Lovely.
I am very happy that I chose a recording with her playing the part.

Russian operas take top spot on the wish list again.

[Dark_Angel]

Wow, that's a toughy. Those are my top two picks. The Solti for spectacular sound and chorus.
The Kubelik edges out for the singing..
Van Dam for Solti is good, but a tad light for the role.
I couldn't be without either.

Don't forget this Knappy 1960 live Bayreuth gem we purchased not too long ago, what a cast!

[Clayton]

Gluck: Paride Ed Elena
Magdalena Kozena (Paride), Susan Gritton (Elena), Carolyn Sampson (Amore), Gillian Webster (Pallade / Un Trojano)
Gabrielli Consort & Players,
Paul McCreesh

Recording London, Tooting, All Saints Church
October 2003

[Itullian]

Don't forget this Knappy 1960 live Bayreuth gem we purchased not too long ago, what a cast!

Hi DA, I didn't know you bought that one. I had thought you had passed on it in favor of something else.
Yes, its a great one, but I thought someones first Meister should be a modern stereo recording. And those 2 are excellent.
There are other vintage ones as well, like the Kempe and Knappy studio.

[Itullian]

I have this Solti - but on LP, so haven't listened to it in, mmmm, how long? 25 years? Haven't thrown it away, though, might still be able to rescue the thing:


I'm not too broken up about it, though. It's hard for me to imagine anything any where surpassing the singing on the Kubelik:

I really like that first Solti as well. Definitely worth having.
Bailey is a wonderful Sachs and the sound is first rate.

[Amfortas]

What do you guys think of Karajan's 1951 live Meistersinger, the historic first production of the opera at the New Bayreuth? The sound isn't great, and Hans Kopf's Walther is not good at all, but I love Karajan's lively orchestra, Elisabeth Schwartzkopf's melting Eva, Gerhard Unger's beautifully sung David, and Otto Edelmann's authoritative Sachs.

[Itullian]

What do you guys think of Karajan's 1951 live Meistersinger, the historic first production of the opera at the New Bayreuth? The sound isn't great, and Hans Kopf's Walther is not good at all, but I love Karajan's lively orchestra, Elisabeth Schwartzkopf's melting Eva, Gerhard Unger's beautifully sung David, and Otto Edelmann's authoritative Sachs.

It has some very nice performances as you said. It wouldn't be among my top choices though.
The stereo Karajan is very good too, and Sawallisch.
Some very good Meisters out there, but the Solti and Kubelik are my picks.
The finales have that "goose bump" factor.

[Hoffmann]

A little French Baroque for a rainy Friday:



I have several of these Naxos Opera Lafayette live recordings, and highly recommend them!

[Clayton]

Carlo Bergonzi, Leontyne Price, Mario Sereni, Ezio Flagello
RCA Italiana Opera Orchestra and Chorus
Thomas Schippers
Recorded July 1967, RCA Italiana Studios Rome



I think I am starting to prefer the Bergonzi/Price combination over the Pavarotti/Sutherland, a bit more dramatic or bandit-like (well for him anyway). Though I still think Nucci and Burchuladze make for grander Don Carlo and De Silva in the Bonynge recording.

[Hoffmann]

My new favorite Rossini!



With the jarring exception of the overture, which I thought was stolen from Il Barbiere di Siviglia ...until I checked and discovered that Barber of Seville's overture was, in fact, stolen from 'Elissabetta', which was composed first (1815) vs 'Barber', which was composed a year later.

This is exceptionally well sung, btw. A young Carreras and Caballe - both are outstanding.