Verdi

A pleasing concert that will almost certainly cheer you up [MMB]

(Déjà Review) Worth the price for Guleghina’s Abigaille [RJF]

Sinopoli and a powerhouse cast reveal unsuspected depths in Verdi’s early opera [MP]

A recording of power and presence, but with some really disfiguring cuts to the music [MP]

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

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

The choral singing is first class, but the soloists are disappointing; the two old Gardelli recordings are better [GF]

I have enjoyed hearing this praiseworthy collection of ten celebrated opera arias [MC]

A stream of imperturbably sedate tone, virtually devoid of characterisation [RMo]

Ten very well-filled discs documenting six glorious decades at the Paris Opera [RMo]

A great soprano soloist and a fine choir and orchestra, very well directed, still cannot save this account from mediocrity [RMo]

(Déjà Review) Truly one of the ‘Great Recordings of the Century’ [CF]

A superb performance of a work Karajan often conducted, with fine soloists [RWe]

Ekaterina Siurina’s voice is in mint condition, with perfectly controlled vibrato and a glowing delivery [GF]

Pristine revitalises another indispensable gramophone classic but the improvement over the RCA issue is only marginal [RMo]

A lovely recital presenting Melody Moore as a worthy inhabitant of the pantheon of the present generation of sopranos [GF]

(Déjà Review) With the frisson of live recording and none of the drawbacks, this set can confidently be recommended on all counts [TH]

In no way does this new recording displace its illustrious predecessors except in terms of the clarity of its digital sound [RMo]

A splendid memento of a magnificent production, despite too many cuts having been inflicted on the score [MP]

(Déjà Review) These excerpts from four favourite roles show Milanov almost constantly in the best possible light [GF]

The old Leinsdorf recording with Bergonzi and Price will never be redundant, but this is an admirable newcomer [GF]

Stunning singing from a great dramatic soprano who might have done more but chose otherwise [RMo]

(From the Archive) A conspectus in four parts by Bob Farr

A classic staging and superlative cast return to the catalogue, newly minted on Blu-ray [MP]