What opera have you been listening to, lately?

**Adrian** · July 24th, 2015, 05:15 AM

Originally Posted by Hoffmann

Today's listen, finally getting outdoors for a walk on a gorgeous summer morning:

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It was so beautiful that I totally forgot my camera and had to resort to my phone for photos from my route. I will try and assemble them now, but it likely will be tomorrow before I put them up.

Yesterday I compared this one with the Christie on.......
Give me the Decca any day.
The shear joy of sound and singers .....excellent

**Soave_Fanciulla** · July 24th, 2015, 09:58 AM

On second listening I've decided it's a keeper. Lovely arias.

Gasparini: Il Bajazet
Leonardo De Lisi (Bajazet), Filippo Mineccia (Tamerlano), Giuseppina Bridelli (Asteria), Ewa Gubanska (Irene), Antonio Giovannini (Andronico), Benedetta Mazzucato (Clearco), Raffaele Pe (Leone), Giorgia Cinciripi (Zaida)
Auser Musici, Carlo Ipata

**Nekrotzar** · July 24th, 2015, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by Adrian

Yesterday I compared this one with the Christie on.......
Give me the Decca any day.
The shear joy of sound and singers .....excellent

Solti is one of the finest conductors of operas the world has ever seen, and this recording features a truly magnificent cast.....but I have to say I have never ever felt disappointed by Christie and in this case his recording on Erato is just a tiny bit more to my preference than Soti's.

Speaking of William Christie....my amazing friend has sent this to me today and I am listening to it right now:

**Nekrotzar** · July 24th, 2015, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by Nekrotzar

Another thing from my fantastic friend who sent me a copy of Elektra. She is very fond of this opera. It's Strauss, again, so I am sure I will like it too!

This is being blasted from speakers again, it's 7 minutes to midnight and I don't care who I keep up.

**Nekrotzar** · July 24th, 2015, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by Nekrotzar

This is being blasted from speakers again, it's 7 minutes to midnight and I don't care who I keep up.

**Salomé** · July 24th, 2015, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by Nekrotzar

Another thing from my fantastic friend who sent me a copy of Elektra. She is very fond of this opera. It's Strauss, again, so I am sure I will like it too!

Glad to know you think of me so highly, Nekro

I for one, am listening to your latest gift.

**Clayton** · July 24th, 2015, 08:24 PM

Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen
Live recording [mono] Bayreuth 25-27, 29 July 1953

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Name: Der Ring des Nibelungen - Bayreuth 1953, Joseph Keilberth.jpg
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Outstanding recording and highly recommended!

**Hoffmann** · July 25th, 2015, 01:48 AM

I went with Anna Bolena today - I don't listen to it often enough.

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Suliotis. Horne. Ghiaurov. Who needs more than that?

On the other hand, since it's the only recording I own of the opera, I probably need to listen to another version to get a better sense of how much luster might be missing from Suliotis' best days.

**Adrian** · July 25th, 2015, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by Hoffmann

I went with Anna Bolena today - I don't listen to it often enough.

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Suliotis. Horne. Ghiaurov. Who needs more than that?

On the other hand, since it's the only recording I own of the opera, I probably need to listen to another version to get a better sense of how much luster might be missing from Suliotis' best days.

Do try the Sills recording, it's on Brilliant these days so very inexpensive

**Nekrotzar** · July 25th, 2015, 01:42 PM

After listening to Take On Me all day I'm getting back in opera mode

I love Wozzeck and I am so happy I have this recording

It's actually the Berg opera I know better, I still need to get more into Lulu even though I've actually known it for longer....since I was 11 methinks.

**Adrian** · July 25th, 2015, 02:24 PM

I spent this very windy and wet afternoon with one of my favourite recordings......
Verdi ; La Forza Del Destino.

Price/ Tucker/ Merril and Verret.

**Clayton** · July 25th, 2015, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by Adrian

I spent this very windy and wet afternoon...

Sorry to report that you've got more wind and rain on the way

but also happy to report there is sunshine following (from your neighbour about two hundred and fifty miles west)...

Handel: Lotario, HWV 26
Sara Mingardo (Lotario), Simone Kermes (Adelaide), Steve Davislim (Berengario), Hilary Summers (Idelberto), Sonia Prina (Matilda), Vito Priante (Clodomiro)
Il Complesso Barocco, Alan Curtis
2004

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Name: Lotario - Alan Curtis, Il Complesso Barocco 2004, Sara Mingardo, Simone Kermes, Sonia Prina, Hil.jpg
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I'll say again it is pity that Curtis/recording company decided to go for a budget release of one of Handel's least known works. Not just because there is no libretto but they purposely cut the B sections from several pieces to fit on to two discs.
I don't mind so much the cutting of the recitatives but somewhere in the rubbish bin (= US trash can) of an editing room lies some beautiful da capo of Kermes et al...

**Nekrotzar** · July 26th, 2015, 01:11 AM

Sent to me by recent member Salomé

:

I don't know much by Vivaldi apart from Bajazet, and this is really wonderful. Jaroussky is on it, and I am so happy to finally have a recording of him on something!!!!!!!

**Hoffmann** · July 26th, 2015, 02:34 AM

Originally Posted by Nekrotzar

After listening to Take On Me all day I'm getting back in opera mode

I love Wozzeck and I am so happy I have this recording

It's actually the Berg opera I know better, I still need to get more into Lulu even though I've actually known it for longer....since I was 11 methinks.

Must have been a real aha moment...