What opera have you been listening to, lately?

[Hoffmann]

Marvelous, lovely opera!

[Soave_Fanciulla]

This is a lovely opera, very melodious, and such a bargain!

[MAuer]

Conductor: Hans Rosbaud
Cast: Léopold Simoneau (Orphée), Suzanne Danco (Eurydice), Pierrette Alarie (L’Amour)

Having gotten acquainted with Monteverdi's L'Orfeo, I decided to get out my old LP set of Gluck's version of the Orpheus and Eurydice story in the French arrangement. This is a lovely cast, especially Simoneau in the title role.

[Florestan]

Conductor: Hans Rosbaud
Cast: Léopold Simoneau (Orphée), Suzanne Danco (Eurydice), Pierrette Alarie (L’Amour)

Having gotten acquainted with Monteverdi's L'Orfeo, I decided to get out my old LP set of Gluck's version of the Orpheus and Eurydice story in the French arrangement. This is a lovely cast, especially Simoneau in the title role.

The really fun thing about this opera is the story is done by a multitude of composers so one could get quite a diverse collection of this story on different performances and orchestrations, and presumably the story varies some between them too. A good way to go broke with Baroque.

[Hoffmann]

After reading thru "Fanfare" magazine's reviews of various Semiramide (Rossini) recordings, and commenting on not a lot of love for the opera in general, I was motivated to listen to one of my less listened to CD sets:





This set is known as one of the few that presents the opera uncut - it runs about a full hour longer than, say, the London recording with Joan Sutherland and Marilyn Horne. So, it's nice to hear all the music that Rossini wrote, not only that which a label seems to think worthwhile. Although there is a lot to like on this Naxos recording, I struggled with tolerating the fingernail on chalkboard-like high notes of Alex Penda (Semiramide). Yikes. I mostly listen to Semiramides Cheryl Studer, Montserrat Caballe and Joan Sutherland and, Ms. Penda is not in their league. Her coloratura is well-handled within her pleasant mid-range, but when she has to climb up from there, she is on-the-attack. And, it's not pretty. The other voices all shine by comparison. I quit at the end of Act I.

[Sonata]

Enjoying this wonderful set. Currently listening to my very favorite nun. Angelica was the first full opera I really loved.

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

Yesterday for my trip to town. Nice to listen to this version for a change especially with these singers.

[Hoffmann]

A lovely day here in DC for a walk - the temp was around 70F (21 C) - so, a perfect day for something delightful:

[Florestan]

Just arrived. Freshly ripped. Enjoying it very much.

[Hoffmann]

This recording might be an hour shorter than the Naxos - I think it's mostly the male roles, which are the weak link here, that are missing.

But. But! The singing! Arias, duets between Sutherland and Horne! I hadn't listened to this set in ages, but it is really remarkable, a classic.

[Florestan]

This recording might be an hour shorter than the Naxos - I think it's mostly the male roles, which are the weak link here, that are missing.

But. But! The singing! Arias, duets between Sutherland and Horne! I hadn't listened to this set in ages, but it is really remarkable, a classic.
]

You have to check out the Gruberova/Florez recording of this opera: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GKWBUK/ The singing is wonderful and 3 disks so presumably the whole opera. A shame most Gruberova recordings are rather expensive. This one is over $50 used!

[Hoffmann]

You have to check out the Gruberova/Florez recording of this opera: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GKWBUK/ The singing is wonderful and 3 disks so presumably the whole opera. A shame most Gruberova recordings are rather expensive. This one is over $50 used!

Ok. I'll buy the Gruberova/Florez if you buy the Sutherland/Horne! I've had it on my Amazon wish list for a while, but it is quite pricey - and not even Amazon Prime!

I kind of wonder if Gruberova's Nightingale label might not be a self-publishing thing?

[Florestan]

Ok. I'll buy the Gruberova/Florez if you buy the Sutherland/Horne! I've had it on my Amazon wish list for a while, but it is quite pricey - and not even Amazon Prime!

I kind of wonder if Gruberova's Nightingale label might not be a self-publishing thing?

Problem is that I am not a big fan of Sutherland. I will await better pricing on the Gruberova set or eventually give in and buy it.

[Sonata]

The really fun thing about this opera is the story is done by a multitude of composers so one could get quite a diverse collection of this story on different performances and orchestrations, and presumably the story varies some between them too. A good way to go broke with Baroque.

And not just Baroque; Haydn's is classical era, and there's one by Philip Glass. And Offenbach.

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This recording might be an hour shorter than the Naxos - I think it's mostly the male roles, which are the weak link here, that are missing.

But. But! The singing! Arias, duets between Sutherland and Horne! I hadn't listened to this set in ages, but it is really remarkable, a classic.

Speaking of Marilyn Horne, my current listening:

[Hoffmann]

And not just Baroque; Haydn's is classical era, and there's one by Philip Glass. And Offenbach.

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Speaking of Marilyn Horne, my current listening:

Have you listened all the way to the end for "Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair" (Stephen Foster)? I saw her sing it a capella in the late 70s at the Kennedy Center and it's one of the most amazing things I've ever heard. Totally Flawless.