What opera have you been listening to, lately?

[MAuer]

Conductor/orchestra: Julius Rudel, Philharmonia Orchestra
Cast: Frederica von Stade (Cendrillon), Nicolai Gedda (Le Prince Charmant), Jane Berbié (Mme. de la Haltière), Jules Bastin (Pandolfe), Ruth Welting (La Fée), Teresa Cahill (Noémie), Elizabeth Bainbridge (Dorothée)

This is quite enjoyable – the opera and the recording. Massenet’s version of the Cinderella tale stays closer to the familiar tale than Rossini’s La Cenerentola does, not only in leaving the wicked stepparent a woman and the young lady’s helper a fairy godmother instead of the Prince’s (male) counselor, but also in maintaining the glass slipper (as opposed to a bracelet) as the clue to the heroine’s identity. Where I prefer Rossini’s opera is at the conclusion, with the new Princess’ generous forgiveness of those who had wronged her in the aria “Nacqui all’ affanno.” In contrast, Cendrillon’s ending seems a little anticlimactic, with the nasty Madame de la Haltière suddenly proclaiming she “adores” her stepdaughter, one of her own daughters commenting on the old gal’s cool nerves, and Papa Pandolfe simply observing that everything’s turned out all right.
The cast is marvelous, beginning with Frederica von Stade’s delightful Lucette/Cendrillon. Ruth Welting’s virtuosic mastery of the fairy godmother’s stratospheric vocal acrobatics is a pleasure to hear, Jane Berbié is wonderful as the haughty stepmother, and Jules Bastin is fine as the long-suffering Pandolfe who finally manages to stand up to his domineering wife. One of the reasons I wanted this particular recording of Cendrillon was for Nicolai Gedda’s Prince Charming. Of course, many people will find the casting of the breeches role of the Prince with a tenor objectionable, which I understand – I usually balk at operas sung in translation instead of the original language. I find the character of the Prince to be rather mopey and self-pitying, and it could be that Massenet wanted to reflect a moody adolescent by writing the part for a mezzo. Still, I do prefer listening to a leading man who actually sounds like a post-pubescent male, and the duets between the two protagonists don’t seem to lose any of their beauty with the lower voice.
One other benefit: this set comes with a complete libretto, including English and German translations.

[Florestan]

[Sonata]

[Florestan]

[Amfortas]

I've always been a bit wary of this Tristan. Since its 2005 release, the recording has received mixed reviews, sometimes dismissed as Domingo's vanity project. I've also read negative reactions to Nina Stemme's Isolde.

But lately I've been listening to the complete recording on YouTube, and have been extremely impressed. Domingo's beautifully sung, heroic Tristan is matched by Stemme's powerful, insightful Isolde. In too many recordings of this opera, one of these two fiendishly difficult roles is the letdown; I'm not sure I've heard two such strong performances joined together since the 1952 Karajan live Bayreuth performance with Vinay and Mödl. Add to this René Pape's predictably impressive and moving King Marke, all under Pappano's mellifluous, Italianate conducting, in excellent modern sound.

Not that everything is perfect. Mihoko Fujimara's light-voiced Brangäne initially seems under-characterized, though she rises to the occasion as the action unfolds. Olaf Bär, on the other hand, may work a little too hard at characterizing Kurwenal, but at least he makes a real effort in that direction and sings well. On the whole, the recording's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. And since it's outrageously inexpensive right now, this shoots right up to the top of my wish list.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

I agree. Usually you get a good Isolde OR a good Tristan, rare to get both.

[Hoffmann]

Yesterday's walk:





Then, this morning, this wonderful new acquisition, which is achingly beautiful:

[Florestan]

[Sonata]

My first-grade son has "Hansel and Gretel" for his home reading this week. I figure it's not often that elementary school homework and opera can match up so I decided it would be a good time to finally try this opera. I am enjoying it very much so far, quite melodic.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

[Hoffmann]

[Soave_Fanciulla]

It's taken some work but I do like Puritani now. Bought this for Devia but ended up enjoying it for everyone else rather than her.

[Sonata]

A lesser known Rossini opera seria. First full listen

[jflatter]

My first-grade son has "Hansel and Gretel" for his home reading this week. I figure it's not often that elementary school homework and opera can match up so I decided it would be a good time to finally try this opera. I am enjoying it very much so far, quite melodic.

Can I ask whether it works well in English? I'd imagine it might do but have never heard the work in English.

[Florestan]

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