What opera have you been listening to, lately?

[Povero Buoso]

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!

[Florestan]

wow... I can't imagine driving 500 miles.

If I drive 500 miles in England, I'll fall off the edge of the country and land in whatever's on the otherside of the edge long before I reach that number.

Interior, South Dakota (Badlands Nat. Park), to Spring Valley in southeast Minnesota.

[Clayton]

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.

[Sonata]

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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like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like, like,

And more Lully to come!! I also own: Atys, Thesee, and Armide!

[Florestan]

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.

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.

[Sonata]

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!

[Hoffmann]

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.

I love the idea of you enjoying the Ring together with your family in the car!

[Hoffmann]

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.

[Amfortas]

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

Now that people here have tempted me into buying the Gergiev Prokofiev opera box, the Mackerras Janáček is on the horizon.

After that, I'll have all the music ever written, and will be able to stop.

[Hoffmann]

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.

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

Now that people here have tempted me into buying the Gergiev Prokofiev opera box, the Mackerras Janáček is on the horizon.

After that, I'll have all the music ever written, and will be able to stop.

That's what friends are for!

[Sonata]

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

[Amfortas]

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.

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!

[Hoffmann]

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

I love that recording! From DC's own Opera Lafayette and Ryan Brown!

[Florestan]

Just arrived and is a wonderful recording: