Which production are you watching, Sonata?Originally Posted by Sonata
That's a good one. You might also enjoy this Royal Opera House production.
Yes, I do have my eye on that one! I think our local library has it. If not, it might find it's way onto my Christmas list.That's a good one. You might also enjoy this Royal Opera House production.
You know you are in for a visual treat with the clever scences during overture, instead of staring at orchestra we see servants opening the main room and playfully joking around......brilliant human touch by McVicar, bravoThat's a good one. You might also enjoy this Royal Opera House production.
Traviata x 2, some additional Traviata DVDs coming soon so doing some homework. Netrebko has a lovely voice deep amber toned and rich, there are so many great CD versions to choose from
Lots of good productions online:
A really wonderful production of Handel's Jephtha, featuring Topi Lehtipuu, Carolyn Sampson, Christophe Dumaux and the lovely Ann Hallenberg, in a very good production that sets the oratorio among a Puritan Community - this works very well. Worth sitting through the odd bewildering advert for Chinese Pizza Hut (where they don't seem to serve pizza, incidentally).
Jephtha on youku
Then a well-sung and appropriately updated production of Verdi's Aroldo - such a rarity, but I can't think why except that people must prefer the Stiffelio version. I like the forgiveness theme better when it's not a man of god doing the forgiving.
Verdi's Aroldo on YouTube - Part 1
Now I'm watching the Glyndebourne Ariadne auf Naxos. It's one of those stagings where it's more about the director than the composer "Yes, I'm aware that this opera is about the tension between high and low art, but what I want to talk about is the tension between artists and the reality of life outside their art". It's worth watching just for lovely Kate Lindsey though.
Ariadne on the Guardian site
Also watched this David et Jonathas. I liked the music and the singing, I'm not sure I have a handle on the plot except that David and Jonathas are kind of star-crossed best-friends-who-would-like-to-be-lovers - in this production at least.
Listening has been mainly for the Verdi Project:
But after DA's enthusiasm I also listened to this on Spotify:
Last edited by Soave_Fanciulla; June 9th, 2013 at 09:36 PM.
Natalie
Rare chance to hear Cerquetti in studio recording with this 1957 Gioconda, what a great cast!
Recent arrivals from Tutto Verdi series
Thanks, Shigolch for your youtube clip over on the 'purchased recently' thread.
Last night, I was looking for a Callas Norma on youtube, and although the following is 1967 - which I thought was too late for Callas to have sung this on stage - watched it anyway. Not very good sound, and the b+w image is not very clear, but it is Norma, and was briskly conducted and was interesting to watch a live production from the 60s. It turned out to be Elinor Ross, who I am only vaguely aware of and Mario del Monaco. She warmed up rather well after an ok 'Casta Diva' and I'm still not sure what to think of del Monaco. After his first Pollione aria, he broke character to acknowledge the applause and accolades - I've never seen that in 40 years of opera attendance! He otherwise sang strongly, but came across as a little eccentric. I can't tell where it was taped, but did enjoy it:
I'm not the biggest fan of Ms. Ross's singing, neither I do particularly appreciate Mr. del Monaco's Pollione.
However, I do have watched quite a few times a singer to "broke the character" and salute.
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