Reply With QuoteReally cold out today, so still debating with myself about walking. In the meantime, I decided to listen to Falstaff. No, not that one, the other one..
The only Figaro or the only opera? I can't imagine being without any of my core collection at this point...Originally Posted by Festat
I was away in a small island a little south of Rio this week for New Year with no wi-fi and barely any 4G signal, and this was the only one I had with me:
Proved to be a strong candidate for the (not-so-)deserted island recording.
"Non sono in vena" Rodolfo summing up P.B's feelings on his dissertation.
Really cold out today, so still debating with myself about walking. In the meantime, I decided to listen to Falstaff. No, not that one, the other one..
Well, if I could have only one recording of only one opera, this might be a fierce competitor — even though I'm always enchanted by the absolute clarity of Böhm's orchestra.
First listens to both these operas. They are part of my recently purchased complete Wagner opera set, but these covers are from Amazon for the individual recordings.
This one is very good.
Last edited by Soave_Fanciulla; January 6th, 2018 at 05:24 AM.
"Ah,non credea mirarti si presto estinto, o fiore." --Bellini, La Sonnambula (also written on his tomb).
From the House of the Dead
Yesterday's (frigid) walk:
I love this recording, and am 'mad' about the mad scene done with the glass harmonica!
Today's walk - it turned out to be a beautiful winter day, and, with the wind considerably diminished over yesterday's experience, I walked a little further than I had in the last week, giving me enough time to nearly finish:
Cond, Wolfgang Sawallisch; Bernd Weikl, Ben Heppner, Cheryl Studer, Rene Pape, Kurt Moll, et al.
Hairdressers yesterday but Wolfie's flute made it slightly less boring.
"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
Vivaldi
mainly Vivaldi
in between play of a very exciting match that finished with a bit of a damp squib
I have been listening to mainly Vivaldi but most enjoying
Vivaldi: L'Incoronazione di Dario
Anders Dahlin (Dario), Sara Mingardo (Statira), Delphine Galou (Argene), Riccardo Novaro (Niceno), Roberta Mameli (Alinda), Lucia Cirillo (Oronte), Sofia Soloviy (Arpago), Giuseppina Bridelli (Flora)
Accademia Bizantina, Ottavio Dantone
Recently its been a very Puccini time for me. Certain bits of this have been going been playing consistently
I maintain that the Ministers are easily the best characters in Turandot being delightfully comic and having my favourite music in Turandot as well as having one of my favourite introductions for any characters by Puccini.
"Non sono in vena" Rodolfo summing up P.B's feelings on his dissertation.
I actually had time to finish two operas during today's outing:
Joan Sutherland's Donna Anna stands out on this recording.
I'd forgotten what a rousing rendition of Dido and Aeneas this recording is - but with Teodor Currentzis and Simone Kermes, how can you go wrong? The more I hear it, the better I like it.
"Ah,non credea mirarti si presto estinto, o fiore." --Bellini, La Sonnambula (also written on his tomb).
Edit: This recording is from 1966, and sounds very different from the more recent ~historically informed~ recordings of Monteverdi, Caccini and other early opera composers. Recitar cantando here is more cantando than recitando, and the typical ornamentation by diminution is no where to be heard. The result, although arguably unauthentic — what is authenticity anyway? — is beautifully melodic. Almost sounds like sacred music sometimes.
Last edited by Festat; January 7th, 2016 at 05:45 AM.
You must have walked a long way!
"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
Was raining tigers and wolves and blowing a Force 10 here this morning but had to go out and thankfully Simon didn't mind the wind and the rain and sang to me quite beautifully.
Update: S**'s Law - bright sunshine now
"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
You must have walked a long way!
My usual 10 miles or so, but I must have succeeded in maintaining a brisk-er pace than usual. Either that or the Don G. suffered a lot of cuts in editing process.
I decided on the Dido and Aeneas because it's a relatively short one-acter, so fit the bill quite nicely.
Unfortunately, all my walking has not resulted in much weight loss - especially the 5 lbs I gained over the holidays.
I am now facing the dreaded Plan B: reducing caloric intake.
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