What opera have you been listening to, lately?

[Vesteralen]

Surprisingly accessible piece.

[Hoffmann]

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

I'd asked Aramis for an 'accessible' Polish opera & this is what he suggested & I can thoroughly recommend it.

Miecznik, The sword-bearer: Adam Kruszewski - baritone
Hanna, Miecznik's daughter and sister of Jadwiga: Iwona Hossa - soprano
Jadwiga, Miecznik's daughter and sister of Hanna: Anna Lubańska - mezzo soprano
Damazy, a barrister: Krzysztof Szmyt - tenor
Stefan, a hussar and brother of Zbigniew: Dariusz Stachura - tenor
Zbigniew, a hussar and brother of Stefan: Piotr Nowacki - bass
Cześnikowa, aunt of Stefan and Zbigniew: Stefania Toczyska - mezzo soprano
Maciej, servant of Cześnikowa and her family: Zbigniew Macias - baritone
Skołuba, Miecznik's head servant and gatekeeper: Romauld Tesarowicz - bass
Marta, a housekeeper: Agnieszka Zwierko - mezzo soprano
Grześ, a farm hand: Jacek Parol - baritone
Stara niewiasta, old woman: Stefania Toczyska - mezzo soprano

Conductor Jacek Kaspszyk
Recorded in 2001

It's very rare that an aria grabs me on first listen but one did & not just because it's a bass aria.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

It's finally been released on this side of the pond, and arrived in the mail Saturday. This is an absolutely fabulous recording -- lots of drama, incredible voices.

Yes I've just watched it. A truly wonderful recording. I have the DVD version, and I liked having the visual aspect too like a concert in your living room. Anja Harteros is fantastic, but the others sang amazingly too.

I also listen to Der Jonas's new Verdi. I'm sorry Alma, but he IS the best male singer in the world - he sings with as much artistry as Jaroussky , but with a better natural instrument and he vocally acts too. In this album he does more with the last note of Celeste Aida than most tenors manage with the whole aria. A really amazing diminuendo. And his Otello, OMG. I've never felt the pain of "Dio! mi potevi scagliar" with such heart-searing intensity (I wept, and I don't even like the character), and he then takes it up to an inferno of rage and jealousy that had me quaking in my boots.

[MAuer]

There's a DVD version of the Requiem available??!!

[Soave_Fanciulla]

I enjoyed this DVD - the music is undemanding but very lush and attractive in a sub-Puccini way, but that said, this was a well-thought-out production with good performances by the principals, particularly Charles Castonovo as the postino.



This on the other hand was simply excellent - great singing and wonderful lively chaotic production of a fantastic opera. Highly recommended.



My recent listening on spotify was to compare my two boys singing the lead in Königskinder.



This is what spotify thinks I should listen to next. What do you reckon, guys?

[Luiz Gazzola (Almaviva)]

This is what spotify thinks I should listen to next. What do you reckon, guys?

Nah, there is a guy who is much better, you should listen to him, next. His name is Andrea Bocelli.

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

This is what spotify thinks I should listen to next. What do you reckon, guys?

Definitely. He's got a sort of counter tenor voice, hasn't he?

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

I also listen to Der Jonas's new Verdi. I'm sorry Alma, but he IS the best male singer in the world - he sings with as much artistry as Jaroussky , but with a better natural instrument and he vocally acts too. In this album he does more with the last note of Celeste Aida than most tenors manage with the whole aria. A really amazing diminuendo. And his Otello, OMG. I've never felt the pain of "Dio! mi potevi scagliar" with such heart-searing intensity (I wept, and I don't even like the character), and he then takes it up to an inferno of rage and jealousy that had me quaking in my boots.

I'm glad you enjoyed it so much!! I'd read a couple of negative reviews & was worried that you'd be disappointed.

[Clayton]

It is a grey, misty but warm autumnal morning in Berkhamsted and I potter around the garden, a part of my daily morning constitution. I am initially attracted to the Magnolia with this days' new blooms when my attention is drawn to the Camellia planted next to it (they are sisters after all in my small mind). A spider has constructed a web across the branches that with the morning dew has become bejewelled in hundreds of crystals refracting light like a sparkly, sparkly thing. A clatter of wings from a brace of collared doves (my beautiful Middle-Eastern neighbours) dancing in the tree overhead brings me back.
My morning opera has been decided.

[Hoffmann]

My listening this morning which, so far, hasn't been nearly as interesting as yours:

[Hoffmann]

Nah, there is a guy who is much better, you should listen to him, next. His name is Andrea Bocelli.

There's an idea. Can you recommend a good recording?

[Dark_Angel]

My listening this morning which, so far, hasn't been nearly as interesting as yours:

If you love this recording as much as I do the best sound is from Divina label which uses the BJR master tape as source plus you get a huge media file with rare opera production photos

http://www.divinarecords.com/dvn018/dvn018.html

[MAuer]

There's an idea. Can you recommend a good recording?

No, but I bet we could come up with a few bad ones.

[Dark_Angel]

It is a grey, misty but warm autumnal morning in Berkhamsted and I potter around the garden, a part of my daily morning constitution. I am initially attracted to the Magnolia with this days' new blooms when my attention is drawn to the Camellia planted next to it (they are sisters after all in my small mind). A spider has constructed a web across the branches that with the morning dew has become bejewelled in hundreds of crystals refracting light like a sparkly, sparkly thing. A clatter of wings from a brace of collared doves (my beautiful Middle-Eastern neighbours) dancing in the tree overhead brings me back.

My morning opera has been decided.

So many Callas Traviatas and so little time, get to hear young Alfredo Kraus plus live sound is pretty good, Callas with dress from Lisbon Traviata production.....