While doing a variety of things today I re listened to the first act of this
Having reheard the first act in full I have come to the conclusion that my purchase of this was completely necessary for my well being happiness and not looking insane as I would be liable to hum in the streets rather than being able to quietly listen to it on my headphones. One particular melody has been going through my head since I heard it earlier today while listening. That melody being the tenor part (repeated) in the quartet where athanael is being dressed "Ne t'offense pas de leur raillerie..." (this fragment of melody has been playing in my head since 3 this afternoon with the whole second half of the quartet near where it starts being played at least a dozen times on my iPod in all likelihood more!)
"Non sono in vena" Rodolfo summing up P.B's feelings on his dissertation.
Last edited by Soave_Fanciulla; January 6th, 2018 at 08:37 AM.
"Ah,non credea mirarti si presto estinto, o fiore." --Bellini, La Sonnambula (also written on his tomb).
Act II of Gotterdammerung.
I think listening to Wagner in 1-2 CD increments, pretty much a single act at a time may be the way to go. Full onslaught of an entire Wagner opera, (other than Dutchman or Lohengrin) is more than I can process. This might be a good process for me, because I am enjoying Act II more than I usually do. I'm focused on the act rather than "getting through" the opera
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Your committment to your long walks is impressive. How long/far do you typically walk?Originally Posted by Hoffmann
I just finished the "Opera Explained" For Turandot, and this weekend I will listen to the English language CD of the same opera to increase my knowledge of it.
These days, I typically walk about 7 or 8 miles. Keeps me out of trouble.Your committment to your long walks is impressive. How long/far do you typically walk?
For yesterday's walk, I realized I hadn't listened to this opera in at least a year:
Then, today, it is pouring rain so no walk likely. This morning's listen:
Frederica von Stade and Marilyn Horne on the same recording! Bliss! (the guys are only ok..)
"Ah,non credea mirarti si presto estinto, o fiore." --Bellini, La Sonnambula (also written on his tomb).
Surprisingly (again) I feel liked I enjoyed the Kraemer recording much more yesterday.
Edit: special kudos do Robin Blaze on the Kraemer recording who manages to outsing Marie-Nicole Lemieux.
Last edited by Festat; April 1st, 2017 at 03:20 AM.
Barry Banks in the title role was difficult. Maybe I'm being unfair because it was far from an attentive listen but I was a bit underwhelmed by the cast in general during more bravura stuff — even the ones I know are thoroughly capable, like Miah Persson, have nice coloratura but an oddly screechy top here. The final duet from the second act was wonderful, though, the lyric stuff is very nicely sung.
Last edited by Festat; April 2nd, 2017 at 03:31 AM.
Yesterday's walk was fairly short, but just long enough to listen to all of:
I have to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the concert performance of this rarely heard opera several years ago with Renee Fleming and Jon Fredric West (the tenor role is written at a particularly high register and West, toward the end was red in the face and slugging down water).
Strauss' orchestration and the singing are spectacular with Fritz Wunderlich's effortless tenor and Hilde Guedon's soprano on glorious display despite the difficulty of the roles. It does not, however, present opportune walking music as it tends to be introspective and requires some concentration to appreciate.
This morning, as I write:
I prefer the studio recording with von Stade, Carreras and Ramey, but this is very well sung.
Last edited by Hoffmann; April 2nd, 2017 at 03:08 PM.
Started yesterday. Going through entire Ring.
Am just into Siegfried now. Will finish today.
"Ah,non credea mirarti si presto estinto, o fiore." --Bellini, La Sonnambula (also written on his tomb).
Just hope you didn't walk into any trees or those funny people with wheels on the bottom of their feet
Natalie
Just hope you didn't walk into any trees or those funny people with wheels on the bottom of their feet
These days, I dream about just standing there and yelling at the people with wheels on the bottom of their feet. They don't stop for nothin..
Today's walk:
Another early Verdi opera that is full of rousing good tunes - great walking music. It's a bit on the short side so I even thought about cueing it up for second round when it finished a couple of miles before I finished with walking.
Instead, I decided on a one-acter and put this on for the first time. Wonderful!
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