As I stated in the Verdi ranking thread I thought that Falstaff would move up my rankings and it already has after listening to it through a second time after the first watch of the mets 2013 production with this recording.*
I was happy this recording existed as I have never hidden the fact that I am fond of many of the principles (Gobbi, Barbieri, Panerai etc) in addition I am fond of Karajan's interpretation of Il Trovatore and he does just as good a job here. An excellent recording which has further convinced me that Falstaff was more than a worthy last opera for Verdi.
*Probably moving to 8th place above Boccanegra, Miller and Forza quite possibly being on equal pegging with Macbeth for the time being and addictive enough that I haven't been able to stop listening to it like Ernani!
"Non sono in vena" Rodolfo summing up P.B's feelings on his dissertation.
I just saw some pictures of Badlands National Park on the interweb. That's a pretty cool looking place to drive through whilst listening to Der Ring des Nibelungen.
Verdi: Nabucco
From the Chandos Opera in English series, one of my favorite from the series.
My listening today is notable for the fact that I am home alone and therefore I am playing the music on my stereo....which usually gathers dust. It is highly enjoyable and I'm playing the music perhaps a bit loud just because I can. It just fills my living room
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And more Lully to come!! I also own: Atys, Thesee, and Armide!
Yes. A perfect landscape for the Ring. We (wife, son & I) hiked about 7 miles of trails. Am going through same ring again today into tomorrow. Love Behrens' Brunhilde and Sawallisch has a great Hagen. Live performance too.
Drove 220 miles today and stopped at 3 historic sites, 2 including guided tours (Laura Ingalls Wilder sites). Another 460 tomorrow and will be home.
"Music is enought for a whole lifetime--but a lifetime is not enough for music." --Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff
Last night I listened to Janacek's Kat'a Kabanova, a beautiful opera! From my Mackerras Janacek opera box. This means I've heard all of Janacek's operas now
This morning, some spritely Haydn to get my day going: Orlando Paladino, conducted by Nicklaus Harnoncourt
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Sounds like you're having a memorable time Florestan, glad to hear it!
Some fine walking weather here - usually unheard of in August in Washington, DC - so listened to:
I'm always struck by the fine ensemble singing on this recording - enough for me to forgive the numerous squally high notes from Eva Mei. Also features some great tenor singing - always important with Rossini.
Then, after finishing the walk:
I admit that as good as Bartoli is on this recording that I still prefer Marilyn Horne on the otherwise severely cut recording on Nuovo Era.
I thought I would throw in a clip of Samuel Ramey singing Argante's entrance "Sibilar gli angui d'Aletto" from Rinaldo as a teaser:
The photo is Ramey in the Met production from the early 80s.
Speaking of opera boxes, I am SORELY tempted to buy Rameau's opera box while it's on sale on Presto. But I told myself no more buying for now. So when I get a purchase impulse I tell myself that I don't need to buy, I just need to listen to something similar that I already own. Well I already have at least a half dozen French Baroque operas. So I am currently listening to Lully: Armide
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You can get it slightly cheaper, at everyday prices, from Amazon third-party sellers.
EDIT: Oh crap! There I go again: one more added to my list!
Last edited by Amfortas; August 29th, 2017 at 01:14 PM.
Just arrived and is a wonderful recording:
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"Music is enought for a whole lifetime--but a lifetime is not enough for music." --Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff
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