What opera have you been listening to, lately?

[StarThrower]

[Hoffmann]

Well, the discussion above led to its inevitable conclusion when I couldn't get the overture out of my head:

[Clayton]

Verdi: Giovanna d'Arco
Anna Netrebko (Giovanna d’Arco), Plácido Domingo (Giacomo), Francesco Meli (Carlo VII), Roberto Tagliavini (Talbot) & Johannes Dunz (Delil)
Philharmonia Chor Wien & Münchner Rundfunkorchester
Paolo Carignani
Recorded Salzburg, Felsenreitschule, 8/2013



A performance that brings (could) tears to the eyes.

As though just to be unusual, comes with audience applause.

[Hoffmann]

Wonderful opera. Thought I'd listen to this version to remind myself of how KFV sounds in the role.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

Wonderful opera. Thought I'd listen to this version to remind myself of how KFV sounds in the role.

Unearthly, as though he came from a fernem Land, I would say.

(not sure if I have my German declensions right in this context)

[Clayton]

Wonderful opera. Thought I'd listen to this version to remind myself of how KFV sounds in the role.

Okay, I follow Hoffmann again today.

Besides, I haven't listened to this for over three weeks.

[Clayton]

and some Verdi

Verdi: Attila
Samuel Ramey (Attila), Cheryl Studer (Odabella), Giorgio Zancanaro (Ezio), Neil Shicoff (Foresto), Ernesto Gavazzi (Uldino), Giorgio Surian (Leone)
Coro del Teatro alla Scala, Milano & Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala, Milano
Riccardo Muti

[Floria]

and some Verdi

Verdi: Attila
Samuel Ramey (Attila), Cheryl Studer (Odabella), Giorgio Zancanaro (Ezio), Neil Shicoff (Foresto), Ernesto Gavazzi (Uldino), Giorgio Surian (Leone)
Coro del Teatro alla Scala, Milano & Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala, Milano
Riccardo Muti

I would love to hear this one. How was it ?

For me, today was :

Tebaldi: La Tabaldi



Puccini: Tosca
Antonietta Stella
Gianni Poggi
GiuseppeTaddei
Ferruccio Mazoli
Tullio Seraphin: Teatro di San Carlo di Napoli

The sound quality was not so good on the copy I have, but I would like to get a better copy.

[Clayton]

I would love to hear this one. How was it ?...

[Attila - Muti recording]

Although I have not heard any other version of Attila, I would be very confident in recommending it.

I chose this recording because of Ramey. Two of my encounters with Ramey was his Scarpia and Méphistophélès, both at Covent Garden twenty odd years ago. Of course both left lasting impressions (or scars).
He does not fail here, he is Attila the Hun as I would picture him. A voice that I can almost feel guilty for admiring Attila a little too much. Cheryl Studer was a voice I was not so familiar with when I bought this but she has a beauty and passion with dramatic power that makes a Odabella we are equally (well almost) impressed with. I like very much Neil Shicoff's voice, he has a habit of being in many favourite recordings and he performs a romantic Foresto.
Again, I have not heard any other interpretations but Muti's direction makes a wonderful epic drama with the orchestration.

Another Verdi opera I wonder why it is not performed more...

[Hoffmann]

[Attila - Muti recording]

Although I have not heard any other version of Attila, I would be very confident in recommending it.

I chose this recording because of Ramey. Two of my encounters with Ramey was his Scarpia and Méphistophélès, both at Covent Garden twenty odd years ago. Of course both left lasting impressions (or scars).
He does not fail here, he is Attila the Hun as I would picture him. A voice that I can almost feel guilty for admiring Attila a little too much. Cheryl Studer was a voice I was not so familiar with when I bought this but she has a beauty and passion with dramatic power that makes a Odabella we are equally (well almost) impressed with. I like very much Neil Shicoff's voice, he has a habit of being in many favourite recordings and he performs a romantic Foresto.
Again, I have not heard any other interpretations but Muti's direction makes a wonderful epic drama with the orchestration.

Another Verdi opera I wonder why it is not performed more...

Well said. I agree completely.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

[Attila - Muti recording]

Although I have not heard any other version of Attila, I would be very confident in recommending it.

I chose this recording because of Ramey. Two of my encounters with Ramey was his Scarpia and Méphistophélès, both at Covent Garden twenty odd years ago. Of course both left lasting impressions (or scars).
He does not fail here, he is Attila the Hun as I would picture him. A voice that I can almost feel guilty for admiring Attila a little too much. Cheryl Studer was a voice I was not so familiar with when I bought this but she has a beauty and passion with dramatic power that makes a Odabella we are equally (well almost) impressed with. I like very much Neil Shicoff's voice, he has a habit of being in many favourite recordings and he performs a romantic Foresto.
Again, I have not heard any other interpretations but Muti's direction makes a wonderful epic drama with the orchestration.

Another Verdi opera I wonder why it is not performed more...

Not to mention that Ramey has the right kind of Chest.



(Sorry, lowering the tone)

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

Not to mention that Ramey has the right kind of Chest.



(Sorry, lowering the tone)

Don't mind me, lower away.

Where does he keep the pin?

[Hoffmann]

Don't mind me, lower away.

Where does he keep the pin?

I think the user agreement states quite clearly that you are supposed to add "cough, cough".

[Hoffmann]

Joyce DiDonato is wonderful here, but the guys are every bit as good.



I needed to remind myself of this great recording by the Tallis Scholars.


Then, ended the afternoon with my second listening:



A wonderful opera and a terrific recording!

[Floria]

and some Verdi

Verdi: Attila
Samuel Ramey (Attila), Cheryl Studer (Odabella), Giorgio Zancanaro (Ezio), Neil Shicoff (Foresto), Ernesto Gavazzi (Uldino), Giorgio Surian (Leone)
Coro del Teatro alla Scala, Milano & Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala, Milano
Riccardo Muti

I went out to youtube and found it and attempted to download it but YTD threw it's monthly fit with a failure. It should clear up in a day two and I will try again.

With all the lovely pictures of Ramey I decided to listen to Mefistofele. I have 2 with Ramey and choose this one.

San Francisco 1989
Samuel Ramey
Gabriela Benackova
,Dennis O'Neill
Daniel Harper
Douglas Wunsch
Judith Christin
Emily Manhart