You and James Levine can't be wrong . Just a misunderstanding I thought a Mezzo-Soprano was a form of Soprano. I really like listening to her and wondered why she couldn't be on the cover but now under stand thanks to Amfortas and you it's not her ability but her being in a different category. I just thought that was an interesting albumn of most enjoyable music. Thank you all for beingOriginally Posted by Luiz Gazzola (Almaviva)
yourselves and showing it's ok to give one's opinion even if you don't agree and still leave door open to learn more.
The founding members of this forum have a deep love of opera in its many forms and wanted to create an atmosphere where all opinions are respected and valued. Personally I love reading about other people's opera passions even if I don't share them.
"Every theatre is an insane asylum, but an opera theatre is the ward for the incurables."
FRANZ SCHALK, attributed, Losing the Plot in Opera: Myths and Secrets of the World's Great Operas
Here are a few recording to consider hopefully that would please different tastes.
Yes, sorry, I was not having a go, just surprised because coincidentally I has just finished listening to her in Mignon and she is so clearly a mezzo and not a soprano. And I do think she is a fine singer.
Natalie
As long as they agree with mine.
And mineAs long as they agree with mine.
Luiz?
"Every theatre is an insane asylum, but an opera theatre is the ward for the incurables."
FRANZ SCHALK, attributed, Losing the Plot in Opera: Myths and Secrets of the World's Great Operas
Did someone mention Souliotis?
Oh gawd... we have to stop talking about opera... this is wreaking havoc on my tiny, tiny brain.
Oh wait.
Hang on.
No. Opera is good.
Oh jolly good, carry on lads.
Clayton in much need of further help.
Donizetti: Anna Bolena
Elena Souliotis (Anna Bolena), Nicolai Ghiaurov (Enrico VIII), Marilyn Horne (Giovanna Seymour), John Alexander (Lord Riccardo Percy), Janet Coster (Smeton), Stafford Dean (Rochefort), Piero de Palma (Hervey)
Wiener Staatsopernchor, Wiener Opernorchester
Silvio Varviso
Recorded September 1968 & August - September 1969 Sofiensaal, Vienna
The total production of this recording is great; cast, performances, orchestra and direction of Varviso.
If you do mind; I love you for this post.Did someone mention Souliotis?
Oh gawd... we have to stop talking about opera... this is wreaking havoc on my tiny, tiny brain.
Oh wait.
Hang on.
No. Opera is good.
Oh jolly good, carry on lads.
Clayton in much need of further help.
Donizetti: Anna Bolena
Elena Souliotis (Anna Bolena), Nicolai Ghiaurov (Enrico VIII), Marilyn Horne (Giovanna Seymour), John Alexander (Lord Riccardo Percy), Janet Coster (Smeton), Stafford Dean (Rochefort), Piero de Palma (Hervey)
Wiener Staatsopernchor, Wiener Opernorchester
Silvio Varviso
Recorded September 1968 & August - September 1969 Sofiensaal, Vienna
The total production of this recording is great; cast, performances, orchestra and direction of Varviso.
Finally some who dares to speak up For Eleana. Thanks you very much.
I'm not used to hearing such early conventions in historically informed performance, although it is interesting to see that this is the first recording of the full opera and it is on period instruments, so early in the history of that trend (1977). The audio engineers, instrumentalists etc. haven't made the sound as brilliant and polished as more recent period instrument recordings (for example, the "clicking" noise of the harpsichord is more prominent than the actual pitches, the violins are sometimes slightly out of tune, the oboes and violins, when playing in unison, might trill at different speeds). The singers, however, certainly seem at ease with improvisatory embellishments and ornaments, vibrato doesn't seem too much, no voice is too heavy and nothing at all is "romanticised." I haven't heard this opera before so I can't compare to any others around, but I must say that I am really enjoying this!
This recording is the epitome of 'grand' and sweeping. It absolutely makes my hair stand on end:
Yesterday this magnificent recording of Manon Lescaut with one of my all time favourites Freni.
Clayton have you listened to this one yet? It's incredibly charming. Best heard really while walking though a crisp pine forest on a snowy winter's day. You never know what you might conjure up.
Natalie
Yes, it's beautiful. A definite number two following TLOTICOKATMF, with the music taking you away to a lovely fantasy.
I'll see melting snow in a different light now.
Ha Ha! Dear dear Souliotis has a good representation of fans on OL; see thread Elena Souliotis on the singers forum. This Anna, her Norma and her Nabucco are all part of my opera treasures set. Her Macbeth is not so much my preference but others here are equally in awe of that recording.
This morning however I am in the company of Jennifer Larmore and Laura Claycomb.
Pacini: Alessandro nell’Indie
Bruce Ford (Alessandro), Jennifer Larmore (Poro), Laura Claycomb (Cleofide), Dean Robinson (Timagene), Mark Wilde (Gandarte)
London Philharmonic Orchestra & Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
David Parry
Recorded November 2006, Henry Wood Hall, London
Lovely opera (if with some what confused individuals) in the tradition of Italian romantic period. Good performance by Ford, Larmore and Claycomb.
Other Pacini operas have now been added to wishlist.
Checking out this Carmen
What do people think of this one? There seems to be divided opinion on Jessye Norman in the title role, I don't really know much about that but I like this recording.
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