What opera have you been listening to, lately?

[Hoffmann]

I've been trying to get that Semiramide for months now. All the places I've tried are out of stock.

I bought mine used off Amazon - right now, it looks like they have a couple of new copies (private sellers, though, not Amazon itself) and a number of used copies available (also via private sellers).

I'm increasingly turning toward buying used copies in an attempt to keep my costs under control. I haven't yet been disappointed so far, though used copies sometimes are missing librettos, have tatty covers, etc. I'm only after the discs, so don't much care about the condition of any paper/cardboard.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

I've been trying to get that Semiramide for months now. All the places I've tried are out of stock.

I reckon it's worth it.

[Clayton]

I have admired Marie-Nicole Lemieux for some time, but Karina Gauvin is really making an impression on me recently. And don't you love Rrrrrrrromina Basso as Corrrrrrrrrnelia, those wonderful rrrolled rrrrrrs?

I am a fan of the entire cast. In fact I am a fan of the entire production.

This morning, a bright blue sunny sky morning, I have been listening to:

Humperdinck: Hänsel und Gretel
Ann Murray (Hänsel), Edita Gruberova (Gretel), Christa Ludwig (Witch), Gwyneth Jones (Gertrud), Barbara Bonney (Sandmännchen), Christiane Oelze (Taumännchen)
Staatskapelle Dresden,
Colin Davis
Recorded January 1992, Lukaskirche Dresden

[Revenant]

I bought mine used off Amazon - right now, it looks like they have a couple of new copies (private sellers, though, not Amazon itself) and a number of used copies available (also via private sellers).

I'm increasingly turning toward buying used copies in an attempt to keep my costs under control. I haven't yet been disappointed so far, though used copies sometimes are missing librettos, have tatty covers, etc. I'm only after the discs, so don't much care about the condition of any paper/cardboard.

I saw those some time ago Hoffman. The first one is not shrink-wrapped and the second one is one of those Arkiv produced-to-order deals. Either may turn out to be fine, but I am a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief when it comes to the Amazon marketplace associates. Nonetheless, I might give in as I'm weak of will.

[Hoffmann]

I saw those some time ago Hoffman. The first one is not shrink-wrapped and the second one is one of those Arkiv produced-to-order deals. Either may turn out to be fine, but I am a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief when it comes to the Amazon marketplace associates. Nonetheless, I might give in as I'm weak of will.

I understand. I take all of my CDs and download them on to iTunes and rarely retrieve the discs after the initial download - so far, the associates haven't let me down, but I know the risk all too well.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

.... but I am a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief when it comes to the Amazon marketplace associates. Nonetheless, I might give in as I'm weak of will.

I think we could get a nice Baroque lamento out of this statement.

[Hoffmann]

Wonderful recordings today. I began the morning with:



Then, for my walk (and, it really was a beautiful spring day):



After Macbeth, because I still was walking:

[Soave_Fanciulla]

[Revenant]

I understand. I take all of my CDs and download them on to iTunes and rarely retrieve the discs after the initial download - so far, the associates haven't let me down, but I know the risk all too well.

I follow the exact same procedure. My concern is that cds from sources of which I'm not too sure might be warped, cracked, etc., and that would affect the listening experience whether it's coming from my iPod or the cd player. But I'm not completely averse to taking risks if the prize is worth the hazard.

[Revenant]

I think we could get a nice Baroque lamento out of this statement.

More than just one, surely...

[Clayton]

Strauss, R: Der Rosenkavalier
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (Marschallin), Otto Edelmann (Ochs), Christa Ludwig (Octavian), Eberhard Wächter (Faninal), Teresa Stich-Randall (Sophie), Nicolai Gedda (Ein Sänger), Ljuba Welitsch (Marianne Leitmetzerin), Paul Kuen (Valzacchi), Kersten Meyer (Annina)
Philharmonia Chorus & Philharmonia Orchestra,
Herbert von Karajan
Recorded 10-22 December 1956, Kingsway Hall, London; 1987 Digital remastering

[Hoffmann]

Strauss, R: Der Rosenkavalier
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (Marschallin), Otto Edelmann (Ochs), Christa Ludwig (Octavian), Eberhard Wächter (Faninal), Teresa Stich-Randall (Sophie), Nicolai Gedda (Ein Sänger), Ljuba Welitsch (Marianne Leitmetzerin), Paul Kuen (Valzacchi), Kersten Meyer (Annina)
Philharmonia Chorus & Philharmonia Orchestra,
Herbert von Karajan
Recorded 10-22 December 1956, Kingsway Hall, London; 1987 Digital remastering

I believe that's considered kind of the definitive recording of Rosenkavalier - what did you think of it? I only have the Haitink and I'm not crazy about it - it seems rather lifeless and missing something.

[Hoffmann]

and, inspired by Revenant:

[Soave_Fanciulla]

[Clayton]

I believe that's considered kind of the definitive recording of Rosenkavalier - what did you think of it? I only have the Haitink and I'm not crazy about it - it seems rather lifeless and missing something.

It's a very elegant recording with excellent sound, lovely orchestra and beautiful cast.

**Clayton blah, blah warning

It is the first time I have heard this recording complete, I have only heard the abridged (more like highlights as it is less than 100 minutes) 1933 Robert Heger version a couple of times before. This painted a completely different picture in my mind of the opera; I much preferred this interpretation. Lehmann's Die Feldmarschallin, Olszewska's Octavian, Heger's direction etcetera make it a much prettier and saucy story which is what I now hold in my mind. I need to come back to to this opera with my head and my heart completely cleared so I can see it better.
I am also missing a libretto which also means I am perhaps missing a significant part of the picture, probably not so significant with some opera fans who are looking to add to a collection but a pointer for someone looking for a first recording. The EMI mid range (or obviously the original higher price initial re-release) would come with a English/German libretto but the Brilliant Opera collection comes only with access (open to all) to an online German only libretto. Another difference is that the Brilliant Opera is a 1987 remaster but I understand the EMI did another remaster later in 2001 (re-re master?). I don't know how much of a difference there will be between the two (Pristine fans know how much a different engineer can make the music sound).
So, the short of the long, I am not sure just because of my lack of familiarity with the opera but I do wish they had made the 1933 Heger a full length version (and with modern recording equipment!)



The EMI (re)remastered in 2001
Naxos Historical 1933 abridged (less than 100 mins) recording