What opera have you been listening to, lately?

[Soave_Fanciulla]

I happen to absolutely love La Rondine. This is a nice production but not my favourite on DVD (i prefer the Cedolins/Portari DVD). The opera is so melodic and bittersweet. The duet " Paulette! I nostri amici son gia partiti" is one of my favourite scenes in all of opera. It contains some absolutely beautiful music.

Today, is my birthday and i fancy a bit of Le Nozze di Figaro. Not sure why as its not my favourite opera but one i am always intrigued by. I will watch some of the DVD from Paris. Its a Christoph Marthelar production with Sylvain Cambreling conducting and stars Mattei, Oelze and the wonderful Christine Schaffer. I don't know why, of all the DVDs of this opera that i have -this one makes the most sense! Love the music, love the production and the singers are great too! Enjoy

You said the magic words. Why don't I have this?

[HarpsichordConcerto]

These Dvořák operas were wonderful and extremely well conducted by Gerd Albrecht with a group of singers and orchestra. It is ashame the world seems to only know Rusalka, which may well be his best opera, but these other operas recorded were worth listening.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

Waltraud Meier was excellent in this and so was Matti Salminen as Rocco, but I'm afraid der Jonas' recent CD of this opera has completely spoiled me for any other Florestan. Peter Seiffert sounded like a bull in a china shop compared with Kaufmann's subtle and nuanced performance.

[HarpsichordConcerto]

Waltraud Meier was excellent in this and so was Matti Salminen as Rocco, but I'm afraid der Jonas' recent CD of this opera has completely spoiled me for any other Florestan. Peter Seiffert sounded like a bull in a china shop compared with Kaufmann's subtle and nuanced performance.

I have it but part of my unwatched pile. Maybe because of the staging but I did buy it on discount a while ago. Might unwrap it soon ...

[Aramis]

So great. I picked it up for Moffo but loved the whole cast.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

I have it but part of my unwatched pile. Maybe because of the staging but I did buy it on discount a while ago. Might unwrap it soon ...

The staging is completely unexceptionable but rather dull.

[Yashin]

Anna Moffo was a class act for sure. I loved her Madame Butterfly. I have her La Traviata but it is not this one, it has Richard Tucker as Alfredo. I am sure Anna sings up a storm in the first act!

[HarpsichordConcerto]

The staging is completely unexceptionable but rather dull.

I noticed from sampling clips. But the singing and conducting were supposedly much better.

[HarpsichordConcerto]

Dvořák, Vanda

[Soave_Fanciulla]

I noticed from sampling clips. But the singing and conducting were supposedly much better.

Yes, I'm sure you will love Waltraud Meier's performance in this.

[Sherlock Hamlet]

For some reason, the Toreador Song just goes well with the playoffs...bullfighters are athletes in arenas, after all...

And YEAH 49ERS! NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AGAIN! I'VE GOT SUPER BOWL DREAMS!

(Such a fun February upcoming...one week, the Super Bowl on TV, and a week or two later, opera from the Met in the theatre...)

[Schigolch]

[HarpsichordConcerto]

Listening to my fifth Dvořák opera in a row conducted by Albrecht. And reading a bit more, Dvořák's operas were often originated in Slavic history and Czech folklore, which probably explained in part why these operas did not disseminate widey in Europe, owing to their nationalist orientation. Rusulka was his real success.

[Schigolch]

[Soave_Fanciulla]

This thread is going to bankrupt me. Is this as good as Luisa Fernanda?