What opera have you been listening to, lately?

**Florestan** · October 27th, 2018, 02:04 AM

**Florestan** · October 28th, 2018, 04:23 PM

Stutzmann is a wonderful contralto.

**Florestan** · October 28th, 2018, 07:06 PM

**Florestan** · October 30th, 2018, 05:12 AM

**MAuer** · October 30th, 2018, 11:25 AM

Conductor/orchestra: Helmuth Froschauer, West German Broadcasting Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Cologne
Cast: Franz Hawlata (Lord Ruthven, a vampire), Regina Klepper (Malvina Davenaut), Jonas Kaufmann (Edgar Aubry), Markus Marquardt (Sir Humphrey Davenaut), Franz Gerhisen (Robert Green), Thomas Dewald (George Dibdin), Anke Hoffmann (Ianthe/Emmy Perth), Josef Otten (Tom Blunt) Marietta Schwittay-Niedzwicki (Mrs. Susan Blunt) , Yoo-Chang Nah (Sir Berkley), Heinz Heidebüchel (James Gadskill), Kay Immer (Richard Scrop), Dirk Schortemeier (A Servant)

Just the opera to get one into the mood for Halloween!

**Ann Lander (sospiro)** · October 30th, 2018, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by MAuer

Conductor/orchestra: Helmuth Froschauer, West German Broadcasting Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Cologne
Cast: Franz Hawlata (Lord Ruthven, a vampire), Regina Klepper (Malvina Davenaut), Jonas Kaufmann (Edgar Aubry), Markus Marquardt (Sir Humphrey Davenaut), Franz Gerhisen (Robert Green), Thomas Dewald (George Dibdin), Anke Hoffmann (Ianthe/Emmy Perth), Josef Otten (Tom Blunt) Marietta Schwittay-Niedzwicki (Mrs. Susan Blunt) , Yoo-Chang Nah (Sir Berkley), Heinz Heidebüchel (James Gadskill), Kay Immer (Richard Scrop), Dirk Schortemeier (A Servant)

Just the opera to get one into the mood for Halloween!

Wow, how appropriate!! Have never heard of this opera, what's it like?

**Florestan** · October 30th, 2018, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by Ann Lander (sospiro)

Wow, how appropriate!! Have never heard of this opera, what's it like?

I listened to the sound clips on Amazon for the first disk and I think I have to get a copy, maybe not this particular performance, but for sure of this opera, though the cover on this one is very striking.

**Florestan** · October 30th, 2018, 10:50 PM

My first ever listen to Norma. This is in a set and I cannot find an album cover for this online.

Bellini: Norma
Torino della RAI Sinfonica Orchestra, Torino della RAI Choir
Georges Prêtre
Montserrat Caballé (soprano),
Ivo Vinco (bass),
Fiorenza Cossotto (mezzo-soprano),
Robleto Merolla (tenor),
Anna Maria Balboni (soprano),
Mino Venturini (tenor)

Apparently only on LP: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002P2WZX6/

**Florestan** · October 31st, 2018, 05:05 AM

Listening to this as MP3 download part of my Complete Bellini Operas box set.
This was never put out on CD but for some reason is used in the box set.

**MAuer** · October 31st, 2018, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Ann Lander (sospiro)

Wow, how appropriate!! Have never heard of this opera, what's it like?

It's in the German Romantic style, but closer to Weber or Flotow than Wagner or Strauss. There are some pretty melodies, especially for the hero (Aubry) and heroine (Malvina). Events supposedly take place in Scotland, but some of the choruses definitely are more suggestive of a rural town in Germany.

There's a melodramatic conclusion where the vampire, Lord Ruthven, gets dragged down to the netherworld in smoke and flames.

**Ann Lander (sospiro)** · October 31st, 2018, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by MAuer

It's in the German Romantic style, but closer to Weber or Flotow than Wagner or Strauss. There are some pretty melodies, especially for the hero (Aubry) and heroine (Malvina). Events supposedly take place in Scotland, but some of the choruses definitely are more suggestive of a rural town in Germany.

There's a melodramatic conclusion where the vampire, Lord Ruthven, gets dragged down to the netherworld in smoke and flames.

Sounds good. It doesn't look as if there's a DVD but I'm tempted to buy the CD.

**Florestan** · October 31st, 2018, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by Ann Lander (sospiro)

Sounds good. It doesn't look as if there's a DVD but I'm tempted to buy the CD.

I was tempted too. Temptation gone. See post here.

**Florestan** · November 1st, 2018, 02:03 AM

**Florestan** · November 3rd, 2018, 09:43 PM

Alternating between these two. Blue one is live and the same as the DVD soundtrack. I like them both but thing the brown one might be a bit better overall. Eva Mei is awesome and in both of these!

Ha! I used to not really care for this opera, but now I can't stop listening. Nasty trick on old Don Pasquale, but then the old codger ought not be going after young beauties, but find someone his own age range, eh?