What opera have you been listening to, lately?

[Hoffmann]

I've been stuck inside the past two days due to heavy rain.

Yesterday, after a morning listen to an old favorite Nick Drake album, I put this rather short opera on for something different:

[MAuer]

Conductor: István Kertész; Vienna State Opera Orchestra and Chorus
Cast: Werner Krenn (Tito), Teresa Berganza (Sesto), Maria Casula (Vitellia), Lucia Popp (Servilia), Brigitte Fassbänder (Annio), Tugomir Franc (Publio)

Got the Sesto I wanted with Teresa Berganza . . . and now the Vitellia is a bit of a problem! Maria Casula is by no means a poor singer, but she is a mezzo rather than a soprano, with a voice that’s bigger and darker than that of both Berganza’s Sesto and Brigitte Fassbänder’s Annio. A rather strange situation when the lady’s voice is deeper than the two gents’. Mozart’s writing for the character does dip down quite low, but it isn’t lacking in high notes, either. Casula manages the latter without problems, yet one can hear she’s at the limits of her voice. When this recording was made in 1967, there was no lack of sopranos who could have sung this role – Sena Jurinac, Gundula Janowitz, Lisa Della Casa, Claire Watson, and Evelyn Lear all come to mind. The first three ladies were even ensemble members at the Vienna State Opera. What the folks at Decca were thinking in casting Casula in this part is anyone’s guess. I definitely prefer Zürich’s Eva Mei. But all of the other principals are superb, and I’m still happy to have this recording.

[Sonata]

I listened to this on the commute home from my mother's house last night. I have high regard for both principals but the audience applause is so distracting that it really breaks up the flow of the opera for me. My fault for not auditioning it well enough before buying (I'm usually too impulsive)

So I added this recording to supplement.

[Sonata]

Lovely recording so far, and beautiful album art to boot.

[Florestan]

Lovely recording so far, and beautiful album art to boot.

This is a wonderful recording and the only Sonnambula I am aware of with a mezzo for Amina. Mezzo Maria Malibran once sang Amina. This is discussed in the Opera News review of Bartoli's Sonnambula.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

Kasarova before the register breaks. Also Vargas sounding mighty fine here.

[Florestan]

L'orfeo from this set:

[Soave_Fanciulla]

[Soave_Fanciulla]

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

I listened to this on the commute home from my mother's house last night. I have high regard for both principals but the audience applause is so distracting that it really breaks up the flow of the opera for me. My fault for not auditioning it well enough before buying (I'm usually too impulsive)

So I added this recording to supplement.

I've not heard the Schippers but do have the Bonynge. I also have this which I prefer.

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

Likey?

[Festat]

oh my god is that cover real?

[Florestan]

Today these two:

[Soave_Fanciulla]

Likey?

Yes, rather lovely version.

- - - Updated - - -

oh my god is that cover real?

Yes. Not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing but I'm assuming bad due to the use of Comic Sans.

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

Brushing up on my Otello. Not my favourite Verdi but have got tickets for the rehearsal on 17 June and hopefully will see JK.



I quite like this version. Doesn't sound 'live'.