What opera have you been listening to, lately?

[Povero Buoso]

Back from the island in Greece and back as a result too good Internet. Planning to watch a new opera soon! Did quite a bit of listening in Greece but more dipping in and out with specific arias and acts than longer listens. Some special mentions though. On one trip managed to listen to the whole first act and a decent hcunk of the second


I question how other conductors feel when they record a new CD performance of Tosca. I presume it is an endless race for the silver medal because I don't think this recording can be bettered which is a testament to everyone involved in it.

I am scared to admit that while I love Don Carlos this has definitely risen up the rank past both Don Carlos and Boccanegra.

It makes sense due to the revisions in it taking place at a similar time and I do love the opera massively if not quite as much as my top four.

Then the plane ride home. I had not heard this in ages so went back to re-familiarize myself with it.


For all the joys in the score (there are many) my favourite part remains si sente meglio which in the last 90 -100 seconds has some of the most magical melody I think Puccini composed. However definitely think it is a tad weaker than Butterfly and Tosca.

At this point int he flight I was told there would be a likely 40 minute delay at Gatwick. This gave me time to listen to Il Tabarro.



Fortunately the delay turned into one that was only 10 minutes and in a remarkably amusing coincidence the plane touched down exactly on Giorgetta's final scream at the end! I have listened to Il Tabarro a lot recently and remain amazed at how put together it is. There are no mistakes or dull patches and it really paints the picture of the setting really well. I am now torn over whether it or Schicchi is my favourite part of the Triptych although of course as a whole Il Trittico remain my desert Island opera(s) without a doubt.

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

Back from the island in Greece and back as a result too good Internet. Planning to watch a new opera soon! Did quite a bit of listening in Greece but more dipping in and out with specific arias and acts than longer listens.

Would love to hear about your holiday and see some photos if you have any you can post.

Thread here.

[Festat]

[Soave_Fanciulla]

Rameau Les Boréades from the big box set
Jennifer Smith (Alphise), Anne-Marie Rodde (Sémire), Edwige Bourdy (Polymnie), Martine March (Une Nymphe), Philip Langridge (Abaris), John Aler (Calisis), Jean-Philippe Lafont (Borée), Gilles Cachemaille (Borilée), François Le Roux (Adamas), Stephen Varcoe (Apollon), Elisabeth Priday (L'Amour)
English Baroque Soloists, Monteverdi Choir, John Eliot Gardiner



It's a wonderful score so could someone please do another recording with some modern Baroque specialist voices. M. Rousset, M. Pichon or M. Christie I am looking at you.

Although there is this which is one of my favourite DVDs:

[Clayton]

I'm having a mo' Rameau period at the moment that includes





Although it's the Dandanus that stands out here, the other works (that are more opera-ballet) have some fabulous moments too and are all good recordings with good cast and performances.

Dardanus (ask if you want details of the others)
Bernard Richter, Gaëlle Arquez, João Fernandes, Benoit Arnould, Alain Buet, Sabine Devieilhe, Emmanuelle De Negri & Romain Champion
Ensemble Pygmalion, Raphaël Pichon
Recorded February 2012 at the Chateaux

[Soave_Fanciulla]

Although it's the Dandanus that stands out here, the other works (that are more opera-ballet) have some fabulous moments too and are all good recordings with good cast and performances.

That Dardanus is just the bomb diggety.

[Festat]

[Clayton]

ooh, Anacréon added to shopping basket. Never mind postage costs, please dispatch immediately.

[Clayton]

unless festat says it was a bit like tea leaves steeped in tepid water or something like that

[Soave_Fanciulla]

unless festat says it was a bit like tea leaves steeped in tepid water or something like that

Waiting with bated breath cause it's also in my basket.

[Festat]

Anacréon is lovely!

[Clayton]

and this morning some more festat-programming in my opera world


Handel: Alcina
Joyce DiDonato (Alcina), Maite Beaumont (Ruggiero), Karina Gauvin (Morgana), Sonia Prina (Bradamante), Kobie Van Rensburg (Oronte), Laura Cherici (Oberto), Vito Priante (Melisso)
Il Complesso Barocco, Alan Curtis

[Festat]

I especially like this cover because it is the only I can remember in which Norma is depicted with her children.

[Clayton]

I thought briefly that that was the one Norma recording I don't have. Then I remembered one member having over one hundred Norma recordings. So I'll say that's one of ninety-odd recordings I don't have.

I do want to listen to it...

[Clayton]

and for this mornings listening, I decided to go for something I hadn't heard in a wh... oh, wait a minute...



Handel: Alcina
Arleen Augér (Alcina), Della Jones (Ruggiero), Kathleen Kuhlmann (Bradamante), Maldwyn Davies (Oronte), Eiddwen Harrhy (Morgana), Patrizia Kwella (Oberto), John Tomlinson (Melisso)
City of London Baroque Sinfonia, Richard Hickox
Studio recording, 1985

at the moment my preference is for the Curtis. Probably as I've listened to that one so much more the characters and story here is a bit foreign. No doubt once I've painted a better picture in my mind, I can make better comparisons.