What opera have you been listening to, lately?

[HarpsichordConcerto]

I'm sure it is a fine CD. But that cover could also be posted in another long running thread here about cover appearances ...

[Schigolch]

[Schigolch]

[Soave_Fanciulla]

The 2012 Turandot from Munich staged by the Fura dels Baus. Not sure about the ice hockey match at the beginning () but it was pretty spectacular. I really like Yonghoon Lee's Calaf, what a lovely voice and a handsome guy. And the way it finished with Liu's death - no inferior Alfano music to drag it out and spoil the effect. For a long time I had allowed my dislike of the principal characters to make me forget how amazing the music is. So I then listened to this, the highlight of which is the lovely Barbara Hendricks as Liu.



Also have watched this:



and from Youtube Acis and Galatea from Aix and a concert version of Domenico Scarlatti's "Ottavia Restituata"

The library sent me this - a charming collection

[Yashin]

Yes, the Karajan Turandot is indeed beautiful. Even Ricciarelli as Turandot is good! Doming, the sound, the orchestra and Hendricks superb Lui top it off. Well done Karajan!

[Aksel]

From what I remember, the ice hockey thing in the Munich Turandot was something about public entertainment and bread and circus and things. I don't really remember it.
And while I liked Yonghoon Lee, I kind of felt he just sang through it, no characterisation on his part. Still, he was very impressive indeed. But really, the greatest thing about that show was the Turandot of Irene Theorin.

[Tardis]

It's true. Lee has a great voice, but I felt the same way when I saw Carmen. He's not as.expressive as you wish he could be. If he manages to figure that out or develops into it, he could be something else. His voice is amazing live though. It's like a blade. I think, better than he sounds on recordings actually.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

It's true. Lee has a great voice, but I felt the same way when I saw Carmen. He's not as.expressive as you wish he could be. If he manages to figure that out or develops into it, he could be something else. His voice is amazing live though. It's like a blade. I think, better than he sounds on recordings actually.

I agree it's all a bit samey. This would be more problematic for a character like Don Jose, who has to develop and change throughout the opera, than for Calaf who is just a monomaniac dominated by obsessive love.

[Yashin]

I think Lee did a good job. His voice is unusual but for me it lacks that real spinto edge that someone like Corelli, Giacomini or Del Monaco had. Mind, not sure who around today can sing Calaf well?

[Hoffmann]

Callas seemed to be in particularly good voice for this -

[Itullian]

Abbado's Lohengrin. meh.

[Itullian]

One thing leads to another more Lucia......1959 Serafin studio (stereo sound) and the legendary 1955 Karajan live. Too bad the 1959 did not feature Corelli whom she was often working with at that time

i really like the 59. i think Callas was awesome in it.
and i loved Tagliavinni too.
but like all those old classic recordings
there are so many cuts!!!
ahhh, drives me crazy.
if they ever re release the RCA Lucia with Moffo and Bergonzi, grab it.
its awesome and UNCUT.

[MAuer]

Abbado's Lohengrin. meh.

Is it the audio recording with Jerusalem, Studer, Meier, and Moll? I'm rather fond of that one, myself . . .

[Dark_Angel]

Callas seemed to be in particularly good voice for this -

One of the very first EMI studio recordings made by Maria right after she signed her EMI contract 1953, a great one for sure

[Dark_Angel]

i really like the 59. i think Callas was awesome in it.
and i loved Tagliavinni too.
but like all those old classic recordings
there are so many cuts!!!
ahhh, drives me crazy.
if they ever re release the RCA Lucia with Moffo and Bergonzi, grab it.
its awesome and UNCUT.

You grab any Moffo studio recording from 1960s available and you will be well rewarded, consistently great artist during that time