What opera have you been listening to, lately?

[Hoffmann]

A gorgeous summer morning. I had a meeting in downtown DC, so decided walking was in order. I chose one of my new recordings (of a favorite opera), but found it to be curiously lifeless:






Every recording of La Donna del Lago that I am familiar with is live - no studio recordings. June Anderson (with Muti) hits all the right notes, but the recording isn't in the same league with Caballe. Rockwell Blake is ok, but seems to struggle with his high notes. Maybe deserves another listen.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

Rossini: Adelaide di Borgogna
Majella Cullagh (Adelaide), Bruce Ford (Adalberto), Jennifer Larmore (Ottone), Mirco Palazzi (Berengario), Rebecca Bottone (Eurice), Mark Wilde (Iroldo), Ashley Catting (Ernesto). Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Chorus, Giuliano Carella



Rameau: Zoroastre
Mark Padmore (Zoroastre), Gaelle Mechaly (Amelite), Matthieu Lecroart (Zopire, La Vengeance), Eric Martin Bonnet (Oromases, Ariman), Nathan Berg (Abramane), Anna-Maria Panzarella (Erinice), Francois Bazola (Narbanor) & Stephanie Revidat (Cephie). Les Arts Florissants, William Christie

[Festat]

Long time no see, Carmen...


I don't have any recollection at all of ever buying this. I found it still wrapped laying beside my other Carmens. I think the cover is so hideous I blocked the memory.

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

Given the latest developments in Brazil's politics I'm deep into my self-alienation program in order to keep living as sane as possible. It consists basically in uninterruptedly alternating between opera, nature documentaries — cute, David Attenborough-ish ones, not the ones that remind me how we're screwing everything up — and reality television so that I don't have the time to read the news.

Current coping companion:

You have my understanding and sympathy.

Given the latest developments in UK's politics I'm deep into my self-alienation program in order to keep living as sane as possible. It consists basically in uninterruptedly alternating between opera, nature documentaries — cute, David Attenborough-ish ones, not the ones that remind me how we're screwing everything up — and reality television so that I don't have the time to read the news.

Current coping companion:

[Soave_Fanciulla]

I still read the news to remind myself that living in a tiny dull country 3982198878834 light years away from a decent opera production is not all bad.

[Clayton]

Long time no see, Carmen...


I don't have any recollection at all of ever buying this. I found it still wrapped laying beside my other Carmens. I think the cover is so hideous I blocked the memory.

I almost like the cover. It does look a bit like high school art but like the colours and the idea and general structure and also the portrait column on the right looks very "i" or "e" or facetwitter or somethnglike that.

Oh, and as a by... how was the music?

[Festat]

I almost like the cover. It does look a bit like high school art but like the colours and the idea and general structure and also the portrait column on the right looks very "i" or "e" or facetwitter or somethnglike that.

Oh, and as a by... how was the music?

It was ok, I guess? It wasn't a super attentive listen as I played it while reading. Simon Rattle isn't someone I immediately associate with Carmen.

It didn't make me raise my head out of my book, not even Jonas. But I was singing along so that may be it.

[Clayton]

This morning, I felt a need for Handel and so went to



Handel: Arianna in Creta
Mata Katsuli (Arianna), Mary-Ellen Nesi (Teseo), Irini Karaianni (Carilda), Marita Paparizou (Tauride), Theodora Baka (Alceste), Petros Magoulas (Mionos/Il Sonno)
Orchestra of the Patras (period instruments), George Petrou
Recorded July 2005

This is a good opera and convincing performances, well worth it for Handel fans.

[Clayton]

and now there's been enough talk about Rameau for a no alternative situation here...

[MAuer]

Every recording of La Donna del Lago that I am familiar with is live - no studio recordings. June Anderson (with Muti) hits all the right notes, but the recording isn't in the same league with Caballe. Rockwell Blake is ok, but seems to struggle with his high notes. Maybe deserves another listen.

This is the recording I have (I think it was made in the studio with the cast from a live performance) with Ricciarelli in the title role and Sam Ramey as Douglas. It's wonderful.



Unfortunately, a new CD set from Amazon is quite pricey, and Presto doesn't even seem to carry it. However, if you want to listen to the live performance, it's available on YouTube. (And one does listen to this -- there are no visuals aside from the shot of the curtain call).

[Hoffmann]

This is the recording I have (I think it was made in the studio with the cast from a live performance) with Ricciarelli in the title role and Sam Ramey as Douglas. It's wonderful.



Unfortunately, a new CD set from Amazon is quite pricey, and Presto doesn't even seem to carry it. However, if you want to listen to the live performance, it's available on YouTube. (And one does listen to this -- there are no visuals aside from the shot of the curtain call).

I have that CD set with Ricciarelli and co. also - and also like it a lot. It compares quite favorably with the Montsy set. I bought the set with June Anderson out of curiosity because I remember seeing the set for sale in Tower Records so many years ago. I'm not sure it is dull because of an inability on part of the singers to invest themselves in the drama or because of Muti's conducting - or some combination of the two.

[Florestan]

[Soave_Fanciulla]

Lully is way less fun than Rameau but this excellent recording makes a very good case for him:

[Festat]

Back to Baroque...

[Soave_Fanciulla]

Back to Baroque...

Always a sensible move.