What opera have you been listening to, lately?

[Florestan]

Arrived today.

[Florestan]

[Sonata]

Don Carlo: Haitink

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

Another Fidelio.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

If you like Britten, you'll like this. And I'm really impressed how the rather lengthy novel was condensed into its essence here!

Joubert: Jane Eyre
April Fredrick (Jane Eyre), David Stout (Rochester), Mark Milhofer (St John Rivers/Mr Mason), Gwion Thomas (Mr Brocklehurst), Clare McCaldin (Mrs. Fairfax/Hannah), Lesley-Jane Rogers (Diana Rivers), Lorraine Payne (Mary Rivers/Leah), Charles Humphreys (Rector’s Clerk), Alan Fairs (The Rev. Wood)

[Florestan]

Another Fidelio.

Excellent choice. Can you tell us if the Blu-Ray disk (which I understand is not video but hi def audio) is also the studio version? A quote on the back suggests live but the back lists DFD as Don Fernando, and that is the studio cast. There was that one change to the studio recording from the live performance that was done a few weeks earlier. The live video had Hans Helm as Don Fernando.

[Hoffmann]

I was in southern California last week and saw La Belle et la Bete (Philip Glass) while in LA. This opera uses the stylish 1946 film by the same name (AKA "Beauty and the Beast"), directed by Jean Cocteau and starring Jean Marais as its basis, apparently utilizing the subtitles as the libretto. The film leads are cast as the various vocal types, who stood on the stage on either side of an electronic orchestra. The staging uses the film as re-mastered by the Criterion Collection, so was a very clear print.

The composition was, in my view, far more reminiscent of earlier scores of repeating electronic music by Glass, e.g., the film "Koyaanisqatsi", than the later operas I've seen - Appomatox and Aknaten. I hadn't been quite sure what to expect by this production and was at least a little disappointed by Glass's use of film instead of live stage action. The voices nonetheless were very well cast and the orchestra, using electronic rather than 'normal' acoustic instruments, accurate and well-timed with the singers.

The performance was staged at the amazing Ace hotel, a Spanish-Gothic style theater dating from 1927, so of a similar period to the film (although it appeared more Moorish revival to my eyes...).

Then, shortly after returning to DC, I attended a Washington National Opera performance of Alcina in a new production at the Kennedy Center, starring Angela Meade as Alcina and Ying Fang (Morgana) and Elisabeth DeShong (Ruggiero) and Michael Adams (Melisso). The performance was conducted by U.K. conductor Jane Glover.

I did not enjoy the performance, for two reasons: I find Angela Meade's timbre to be grating (this was the second time I've heard her sing, with Norma being the first) and Jane Glover's conducting - which I thought was ponderous at best. Michael Adams and Ying Fang were the best parts of the performance, but not enough to keep my attention and although I try to resist such impulses any more, I left at intermission.

[Florestan]

Der Fliegende Hollander:

[Itullian]

Very good.

[Florestan]

From this box set of six operas:

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

Another Fidelio.

Excellent choice. Can you tell us if the Blu-Ray disk (which I understand is not video but hi def audio) is also the studio version? A quote on the back suggests live but the back lists DFD as Don Fernando, and that is the studio cast. There was that one change to the studio recording from the live performance that was done a few weeks earlier. The live video had Hans Helm as Don Fernando.

I have to confess it's not the actual disc I listened to but an mp3 of this one on YouTube. When I posted the image of the box, I thought it was the same version.

- - - Updated - - -

If you like Britten, you'll like this. And I'm really impressed how the rather lengthy novel was condensed into its essence here!

Joubert: Jane Eyre
April Fredrick (Jane Eyre), David Stout (Rochester), Mark Milhofer (St John Rivers/Mr Mason), Gwion Thomas (Mr Brocklehurst), Clare McCaldin (Mrs. Fairfax/Hannah), Lesley-Jane Rogers (Diana Rivers), Lorraine Payne (Mary Rivers/Leah), Charles Humphreys (Rector’s Clerk), Alan Fairs (The Rev. Wood)

Not heard of this before. I think I'll like it!

[Florestan]

I have to confess it's not the actual disc I listened to but an mp3 of this one on YouTube. When I posted the image of the box, I thought it was the same version.

- - - Updated - - -

Well then you listened to the live performance which is a better performance.

[Hoffmann]

I actually got outside for a walk this afternoon after lolling around in California and still struggling to regain proper walking form. So, being a retiree, I resorted to form and indulged myself:





I know I've said this before, but with Marilyn Horne, Samuel Ramey and Kathleen Battle - among others - what more could one ask for?

[Florestan]

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

Never seem to tire of hearing this.