What opera have you been listening to, lately?

[Adrian]

I can't remember if I've asked already (sorry if I have but I can't remember and can't find the post) but does Adrian have a turntable?

Yes I do have one , still using it almost daily

[Hoffmann]

Yes I do have one , still using it almost daily

I've heard of those, you mean something like this?

[Adrian]

No , sorry I have one like this , bought when I retired , I still have about 12 meters of L.P's

Nothing more exiting then open a Opera box with a lavish libretto

I do have however have a older Bang and Olufsen also , that one I use for cleaning my records

[Clayton]

Yes I do have one , still using it almost daily

Please tell me about it; how old is it, what make and model, what is the sound like and what is it connected to, can you get replacement needles and pictures for extra bonus points.

I have been thinking buying a turntable for over a year as the local charity shop has many boxed sets that are in such good condition. They were selling them for about GBP 3 but recently they suddenly put up the prices a lot to about GBP 10 (which no longer looks so attractive).

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okay my post was timed exactly the same time as yours...

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but what make and model?

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and sound and replacement needles?

[Adrian]

The price I paid was €2495,00.....
I do thinks that about 2100 UK pounds ( maker is Pro ject )
On top of that a new element from prothon € 499.00.
The sound is very clear I use Naim as amplifier and final amplifier.

[Clayton]

No , sorry I have one like this , bought when I retired , I still have about 12 meters of L.P's

Nothing more exiting then open a Opera box with a lavish libretto

I do have however have a older Bang and Olufsen also , that one I use for cleaning my records

That's one sexy looking turntable.

I see I am going to have to start enrolling for the experimental drug trials again to buy one.

[Clayton]

I think Clayton needs this just for the packaging. Gorgeous. (Singing's good too).

Steffani: Niobe Regina di Tebe
Karina Gauvin (Niobe), Philippe Jaroussky (Anfione), Amanda Forsythe (Manto), Aaron Sheehan (Clearte), Terry Wey (Creonte), Jesse Blumberg (Poliferno), Colin Balzer (Tiberino) & José Lemos (Nerea)
Boston Early Music Festival Orchestra, Paul O’Dette and Stephen Stubbs (musical directors)

I had decided I've bought way too much this year but so many people are talking about this. I will revisit it on Spotify tomorrow

[From Presto Classical review section]

BBC Magazine
“it is a scrupulously detailed, slow-burning performance with an outstanding viol consort...The supporting roles are strongly cast...Jaroussky is at his best in music of penetrating sweetness and curdles under pressure. The laurels go to Gauvin, whose magnificent, creamy soprano ignites in the fury and anguish of Act III.”

Gramophone
“Jaroussky sounds in his elements when Anfione ensconces himself in his Palace of Harmony...Gauvin captures not only Niobe's haughty pride and capricious cruelty but also her sensuality, folly and gullibility...The performance is never forced but always emotive...An exemplary testament of superb musicianship from all participants...this is a landmark event in Steffani's much-deserved rehabilitation.”

Gramophone Magazine
Disc of the Month - March 2015

[Clayton]

Handel: Floridante
Marijana Mijanovic (Floridante), Joyce DiDonato (Elmira), Roberta Invernizzi (Timante), Vito Priante (Oronte), Sharon Rostorf-Zamir (Rossane), Riccardo Novaro (Coralbo)
Il Complesso Barocco, Alan Curtis
Recorded September 2005, Chiesa di Sab Silvestro, Tuscania

[Clayton]

Gluck, Gluck, Gluck...

If I have much more, I risk turning into a chicken...

Gluck: Orfeo ed Euridice
Marilyn Horne, Pilar Lorengar, Helen Donath
Royal Opera House Orchestra
Georg Solti
1969



a few days after posting "I'm not a Horney guy...", I have just discovered Marilyn Horne! Whilst this is not my favourite interpretation of one of my favourite operas (too much drag your heart over coals and not enough celebration of love) Horne is definitely close to the best Orpheus...
I tried this on spotify but I'm selling 2.4 pints of blood to buy this CD.

[Clayton]

I had decided I've bought way too much this year but so many people are talking about this. I will revisit it on Spotify tomorrow...

So today did not go according to plan. I will go there tomorrow.

[Clayton]

Handel: Radamisto
Joyce DiDonato, Patrizia Ciofi, Maite Beaumont, Dominique Labelle, Zachary Stains, Carlo Lepore, Laura Cherici
Il Complesso Barocco
Alan Curtis
Recorded 14-26 September 2003 Palazzo Doria Pamphili, San Martino al Cimino

[Hoffmann]

Mostly well-regarded male voices, that do a good job, but the standout here may be June Anderson, singing Elcia.

[Clayton]

Handel: Teseo
Franco Fagioli (Teseo), Helene Schneiderman (Medea), Jutta Böhnert (Agilea), Kai Wessel (Egeo), Matthias Rexroth (Arcane), Olga Polyakova (Cliizia)
Staatsorchester Stuttgart
Konrad Junghänel
Live production, Stattsoper Stuttgart, May 2009

[Clayton]

Handel: Flavio
Jeffrey Gall (Flavio), Derek Lee Ragin (Guido), Lena Lootens (Emilia), Bernada Fink (Teodata), Christina Högman (Vitige), Gian Paolo Fagotto (Ugone), Ulrich Messthaler (Lotario)
Ensemble 415, René Jacobs
Recorded 1989



A must have for all Handel fans.

So is above Teseo. and Radamisto.

[Clayton]

Vivaldi: L'Olimpiade RV725
Marianna Kulikova (mezzo-soprano), Sara Mingardo (contralto), Laura Giordano (soprano), Riccardo Novaro (baritone), Sergio Foresti (bass)
Concerto Italiano, Rinaldo Alessandrini
Recorded July 2002 Sala Accademica del Pontifico Istituo di Musica Sacra in Roma