What opera have you been listening to, lately?

[Sonata]

I'm in the home stretch of my Verdi listening project: Nothing left but masterpieces! Right now, Don Carlo

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

My listening choice usually depends on how long my shopping list is. I have my mp3 player tucked away in an inside pocket and if I have lots of shopping still to do by the time my chosen opera finishes, it's a right nuisance - stop walking, remove outer coat, put on glasses, find mp3 player, decide what I want to hear next - you get the picture.

Anyway, yesterday was a 5-act Don Carlo day.

[Florestan]

My listening choice usually depends on how long my shopping list is. I have my mp3 player tucked away in an inside pocket and if I have lots of shopping still to do by the time my chosen opera finishes, it's a right nuisance - stop walking, remove outer coat, put on glasses, find mp3 player, decide what I want to hear next - you get the picture.

Can always hit replay button. I don't have as much problem with starting next opera except if I am driving somewhere, have to get a stoplight at the right time or pull off road briefly to start next opera. My MP3 player is clipped to my undershirt and so can be pulled out the neck of my shirt and reset. Of course, if you queue up the entire Wagner Ring, you won't be annoyed fiddling with the player for all day.

[Sonata]

Starting Donizetti's "3 Queens" series of operas, with Beverly Sills as the queen in each. First up, Roberto Devereaux

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

I'm in the home stretch of my Verdi listening project: Nothing left but masterpieces! Right now, Don Carlo

Are you listening to them in chronological order of the dates they were written?

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

Lots of shopping again today.

[DasNino]

this little beauty came today (ENDLICH!). I must be honest, Anna Moffo was better as Violetta in Traviata (she is my ultimate Violetta), but Tucker is good, so no worries, I'll like it anyway

[Sonata]

Are you listening to them in chronological order of the dates they were written?

I'm following the Wikipedia list of operas following the years they were written-- more or less. I've hopped out of order once or twice ie. listening to Forza early after discussing Forza with someone and such. I have just Aida, Otello, and Falstaff of the operas left, and then the Requiem. After those I will listen to his Quatre Pezza Sacri, which is admittedly out of order.

I'm also doubling-back a bit right now, after discussing Macbeth recently. I want to get a better handle on that one so I'm listening now to the Chandos Opera in English:

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

I'm following the Wikipedia list of operas following the years they were written-- more or less. I've hopped out of order once or twice ie. listening to Forza early after discussing Forza with someone and such. I have just Aida, Otello, and Falstaff of the operas left, and then the Requiem. After those I will listen to his Quatre Pezza Sacri, which is admittedly out of order.

I'm also doubling-back a bit right now, after discussing Macbeth recently. I want to get a better handle on that one so I'm listening now to the Chandos Opera in English:

What a super project and I hope you've enjoyed your Verdi 'journey'. I've not heard that English language one so you must let me know if you like it. Macbeth is my 2nd favourite Verdi and this is the one I listened to first and it became my favourite.



I've listened to others but I keep coming back to this one.

[Sonata]

What a super project and I hope you've enjoyed your Verdi 'journey'. I've not heard that English language one so you must let me know if you like it. Macbeth is my 2nd favourite Verdi and this is the one I listened to first and it became my favourite.



I've listened to others but I keep coming back to this one.

Thank you. I have absolutely loved my Verdi project! His marriage of music and drama is second to no other opera composer for me. In general these Opera in English series for me have been great, because although I do also use libretti sometimes as well as video opera, I rarely have time to really get to know the libretto in depth. So these are a fantastic way to get me familiar with the storylines. As long as the English is CLEAR of course. So far the English in Macbeth is very clear, so that helps

[Sonata]

Thank you. I have absolutely loved my Verdi project! His marriage of music and drama is second to no other opera composer for me. In general these Opera in English series for me have been great, because although I do also use libretti sometimes as well as video opera, I rarely have time to really get to know the libretto in depth. So these are a fantastic way to get me familiar with the storylines. As long as the English is CLEAR of course. So far the English in Macbeth is very clear, so that helps

Update Ann,

I like this version VERY much. I'm not great at analyzing singers and whether this can stand with the other great recordings or not, but it is very satisfying. Some in English recordings I listen to once just to understand the story then return to my original Italian, German, etc. And of course I will listen to the original Italian regularly. But I could make a very good case for pulling the trigger and buying this because I could see myself listening to this English recording several more times. The opening with the witches was a disappointment, but once it reached King Duncan's murder it really took off

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

Update Ann,

I like this version VERY much. I'm not great at analyzing singers and whether this can stand with the other great recordings or not, but it is very satisfying. Some in English recordings I listen to once just to understand the story then return to my original Italian, German, etc. And of course I will listen to the original Italian regularly. But I could make a very good case for pulling the trigger and buying this because I could see myself listening to this English recording several more times. The opening with the witches was a disappointment, but once it reached King Duncan's murder it really took off

Thank you. I don't really need much persuasion to buy opera (!) and this sounds a good version.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

[MAuer]

I’ll be attending the Cincinnati Opera’s performance of Die Zauberflöte on the 20th, so I’ve been listening to my various recordings again. (Not that I need a reason to listen to this opera, as it’s a favorite.)



Böhm; Wunderlich, Lear, Fischer-Dieskau, Crass, Peters, et. al.



Haitink; Jerusalem, Popp, Brendel, Bracht, Gruberova, et. al.



Fricsay; Häfliger, Stader, Fischer-Dieskau, Greindl, Streich, et. al.



Karajan; Araiza, Mathis, Hornik, Van Dam, Ott, et. al.



Klemperer; Gedda, Janowitz, Berry, Frick, Popp, et. al.

I really wish there were a recording with der Jonas' Tamino, too . . .

[Sonata]

I’ll be attending the Cincinnati Opera’s performance of Die Zauberflöte on the 20th, so I’ve been listening to my various recordings again. (Not that I need a reason to listen to this opera, as it’s a favorite.)



Böhm; Wunderlich, Lear, Fischer-Dieskau, Crass, Peters, et. al.



Haitink; Jerusalem, Popp, Brendel, Bracht, Gruberova, et. al.



Fricsay; Häfliger, Stader, Fischer-Dieskau, Greindl, Streich, et. al.



Karajan; Araiza, Mathis, Hornik, Van Dam, Ott, et. al.



Klemperer; Gedda, Janowitz, Berry, Frick, Popp, et. al.

I really wish there were a recording with der Jonas' Tamino, too . . .

Very nice! Do you have a favorite recording out of these?

I'm currently listening to Aida, my latest of my four recordings:


Verdi- Aida.
Conducted by Georg Solti, with Leontyne Price and John Vickers

I've heard that some don't like Vickers voice, but I'm not sure why. I bought this performance for Leontyne Price, and Vickers has been a very pleasant surprise. A very heroic Celeste Aida, with good diction to boot. I'm only one act in so far, but I'm very happy with this recording so far.