What opera have you been listening to, lately?

[Florestan]

Really loving this opera. Think origional Boris Godunov with little in the way of female parts. But here, there are no female parts. Of these two, I like the Jarvi set best.

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

You mean that red and black or visa versa staging?
It's great in my opinion. Keenlyside looks sometimes a bit nervous, look at his eyes following Pappano but he can act and sing.

That's the one!

Simon Keenlyside had to have an operation on a tendon on his left arm and he still had to wear a brace and this may have caused his nervousness. His costume was adapted accordingly.

Treasured pic from the Stage Door.

[Adrian]

I van hear this one every week, although I don't like the "Baker"sound Sills is unbeatable.

[Florestan]

I van hear this one every week, although I don't like the "Baker"sound Sills is unbeatable.

Beverly Sills is always a treat and how can you go wrong with Janet Baker? Great set. Although my favorite is the one the Mei/Kasarova set.

[MAuer]

Tried to forget about the gloomy weather for a while by thinking about the local opera season coming up in June and July.

When we were voting for our recommended recordings of the OL Top 100 Operas several years ago, my choice of Aida audio recording was split between Karajan (Freni, Carreras, Baltsa) and Abbado (Ricciarelli, Domingo). Were we to vote now, the Pappano would be my clear pick.

[Adrian]

Beverly Sills is always a treat and how can you go wrong with Janet Baker? Great set. Although my favorite is the one the Mei/Kasarova set.

It's just one of those voices I don't have any feeling with, I am sorry, not my taste.
Saw the Baltsa and Gruberova/ Muti, in the Royal opera house.( 1984)
Fantastic

[Florestan]

[Adrian]

Handel: Alcina




I never forget this one, traveled to to France whilst this was recorded.

[Florestan]

[Florestan]

Sound fairly listen-able for a 1946 recording. Here is a sample.

[Adrian]

Rossini: Bianca e Falliero


María Bayo (Bianca), Daniela Barcellona (Falliero), Francesco Meli (Contareno), Carlo Lepore (Capellio), Dario Benini (Priuli), Ornella Bonomelli (Costanza), Karel Pajer (Uffiziale/Usciere), Jiri Prudic (Loredano), Stefan Cifolelli (Cancelliere)


Prague Chamber Chorus, Galicia Youth Symphony Orchestra
Renato Palumbo.
My calendar says Mr.Rossini's birthday.

[MAuer]

Conductor/orchestra: Franz Welser-Möst, Cleveland Orchestra
Chorus of the Vienna State Opera
Cast: Camilla Nylund (Rusalka), Piotr Beczala (Prince), Alan Held (Water Sprite), Emily Magee (Foreign Princess), Birgit Remmert (Ježibaba), Adam Plachetka (Gamekeeper), Eva Liebau (The Turnspit), Daniel Schmutzhard (Huntsman), Anna Prohaska (first Dryad), Stephanie Atanasov (second Dryad), Hannah Esther Minutillo (third Dryad)

Another opera I'll be seeing this summer during the local company's season. This is a wonderful recording with a very strong cast.

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

Conductor/orchestra: Franz Welser-Möst, Cleveland Orchestra
Chorus of the Vienna State Opera
Cast: Camilla Nylund (Rusalka), Piotr Beczala (Prince), Alan Held (Water Sprite), Emily Magee (Foreign Princess), Birgit Remmert (Ježibaba), Adam Plachetka (Gamekeeper), Eva Liebau (The Turnspit), Daniel Schmutzhard (Huntsman), Anna Prohaska (first Dryad), Stephanie Atanasov (second Dryad), Hannah Esther Minutillo (third Dryad)

Another opera I'll be seeing this summer during the local company's season. This is a wonderful recording with a very strong cast.

A great cast indeed and not a difficult piece of homework! Definitely on my list.

[Adrian]

Need I say more?
I love it as much as the first time I've heard it.

[Adrian]

Giordano: Fedora/ and highlights from Francesca da Rimini.
The great Magda Olivero singing.