Opera

Reviews of full operas as well as collections and recitals of arias

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Gershwin: Porgy and Bess (Decca)

This remains a powerful experience 49 years after its initial release [MP]

Sir Adrian Boult (conductor) Berg, Stravinsky & Vaughan Williams (SOMM Recordings)

A significant addition to the Boult discography [SG]

Verdi: I Lombardi alla prima crociata (BR Klassik)

An exciting, red-blooded performance, captured live in the clearest sound of any available version [MP]

Puccini: Tosca (Unitel Edition)

The staging will divide opinion, but watch, listen, and let the performers convince you [WH]

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Rossini: Semiramide (Decca)

A feast of stylish bel canto singing for the two stars but the rest of the cast can only struggle though [MP]

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Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana (Prospero)

The original version of Mascagni’s masterpiece unfortunately let down by singing that cannot do justice to the music or drama [MBu]

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Cilea: Adriana Lecouvreur (Sony Classical)

A near total success that still wins the day among available recordings [MP]

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Wagner: Lohengrin (Decca)

(Déjà Review) This set wins hands down [JP]

Verdi: Ernani (Naxos)

There are better choices on CD and on video [GF]

Massenet: Thaïs (Chandos)

Massenet’s opera is superbly rejuvenated in a recording which sweeps the field of all other versions [MP]

Flotow: Piano Concertos No. 1 & 2, Overtures (cpo)

Melodious, undemanding but always skilful and enjoyable light music [RMo]

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Bellini: La Sonnambula (Warner Classics)

Anyone contemplating purchase of this set will be buying it for Maria Callas, and it is worthwhile for this alone [JP]

Charpentier’s Louise

by Ralph Moore

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Rimsky-Korsakov: Christmas Eve (Naxos)

A dazzling achievement all around [MP]

Wagner: Die Walküre (Sterling)

Fine conducting and orchestral playing and an impressive Brünnhilde – but compromised by a poor Siegmund and a weak Wotan [RMo]

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Puccini: Manon Lescaut (Pristine Audio)

A so-so “classic” recording [RMas]

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Cherubini: Medea (Pristine Audio)

Pristine’s revitalising of the sound here goes a long way towards countering any criticism of Callas’ sole studio recording of Medea [RMo]

More Recordings from Robert Massard’s Discography

by Ralph Moore

Delibes: Lakmé (Naxos)

A musically splendid new video production of Delibes’s opera can do little to mask the more unsavoury aspects of the story [PCG]

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Mozart: Mitridate, re di Ponto (Erato)

Minkowski’s second fine period-instrument recording of Mitridate [DF[

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Donizetti: La favorite (Dynamic)

“La favorite” is well served in a complete new edition, well sung and staged [RWe]

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Tchaikovsky: Iolanta & The Nutcracker (C Major)

A conflation of opera and ballet, well-staged and performed, more than a seasonal song-and-dance show [RWe]

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Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor (Pristine Audio)

Callas’ stereo remake is a more mature and inward reading of the role – now in even fresher sound [GF]

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Hindemith: Cardillac (BR Klassik)

An excellent recording of a gripping but not loveable work [SB]