Thread: What opera are you currently listening to / watching? CD/DVD

Originally Posted by mamascarlatti

Which version? I LOVE this opera.

http://www.amazon.com/Tchaikovsky-Eu...ich/dp/B000004

Sorry, too tired to type out all the names. Amazon tells me that I bought this over two years ago. Shame on me for taking so long to really sit down and listen!

Originally Posted by Sonata

http://www.amazon.com/Tchaikovsky-Eu...ich/dp/B000004

Sorry, too tired to type out all the names. Amazon tells me that I bought this over two years ago. Shame on me for taking so long to really sit down and listen!

Sonata, please could you post the link again, this one doesn't work.

Originally Posted by sospiro

Sonata, please could you post the link again, this one doesn't work.

http://www.amazon.com/Tchaikovsky-Eu.../dp/B000004162
1994 recording with Semyon Bychov conducting the Paris Orchestra, and singers Nuccia Focile and Dimitri Hvorostovsky. Here's the link, I don't know if it will work now.

I like the ending to the opera. It's so typical for the characters in opera/film/etc to jump to their immediate passions. I like that Tatyana stays faithful to her marriage vows.

Originally Posted by DavidA

Verdi Aida / Karajan with Tebaldi, Bergonzi, McNeill, etc. from 1959.
It was hailed by Andrew Porter as 'a landmark in the art of capturing grand opera on disc.'
It still sounds incredibly well, showing how far the DECCA engineers (headed by Culshaw) were ahead of their time.
The singing is really wonderful and Karajan draws some miraculous sounds from the VPO.
OK I know there are other ways of doing this opera but this is fabulous in bringing out the sheer beauty of Verdi's score. The dramatic stuff isn't half bad, either!

I was just reading up on Aida last night. This recording is going into the Amazon wish list, for the future.

Originally Posted by Sonata

http://www.amazon.com/Tchaikovsky-Eu.../dp/B000004162
1994 recording with Semyon Bychov conducting the Paris Orchestra, and singers Nuccia Focile and Dimitri Hvorostovsky. Here's the link, I don't know if it will work now.

I like the ending to the opera. It's so typical for the characters in opera/film/etc to jump to their immediate passions. I like that Tatyana stays faithful to her marriage vows.

Yes the link works, thank you. I've got this CD & agree it's a great recording of a great opera.

Originally Posted by Sonata

Trying out Eugene Onegin.

Originally Posted by mamascarlatti

Which version? I LOVE this opera.

Here are all the Eugene Onegin recordings I have:

Nebolsin, 1936 (Bolshoi Theatre - The earliest recording as far as I know)

Orlov, 1948 (Bolshoi Theatre)

Khaikin, 1956 (Bolshoi Thatre)

Tchakarov, 1979 (Covent Garden)

Fedoseyev, 1986

And a 1958 film directed by Roman Tikhomirov conducted by Boris Khaikin (Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra)

My favorite is Khaikin 1956 with Belov as Eugene Belov, Lemeshev as Lensky and Vishnevskaya as Tatiana but I still want a more pure innocent singing in the 'Letter Scene' ... any recommendation? (Doesn't matter if it's not Bolshoi Theatre )

Still on La fanciulla del West, I'm trying to get a DVD performance, all I've found feature Domingo as Johnson, so Which one is better: Covent Garden (1983), La scala (1991) or Metropolitan opera (2005)? The only complete version I own is Corelli on CD.

Of the three you have mentioned I would definitely recommend the 2005 Met one (it actually dates from much earlier). Barabara Daniels is the most convincing Minnie in my eyes, and Sherrill Milnes is a great Jack Rance. Domingo's interpretation has matured too.

But the Convent Garden one is good too:



Just avoid the la Scala version, as Mara Zampieri sounds awful even though she acts the part gallantly.

There is also this, a rather odd production involving disused car sets and a gay leather bar (love Minnie's pink trailer in the second act though). I like it but I suspect it would not be your cup of tea!

Originally Posted by mamascarlatti

There is also this, a rather odd production involving disused car sets and a gay leather bar (love Minnie's pink trailer in the second act though). I like it but I suspect it would not be your cup of tea!

Oh, not at all this one please! Car sets and a gay leather bar! This world has lost its glory (Bee Gees)...

Well, I think I'll go to get the 2005 MET. Thanks.

You said it actually dates from much earlier, so when?

Originally Posted by Il_Penseroso

Oh, not at all this one please! Car sets and a gay leather bar! This world has lost its glory (Bee Gees)...

Thought that would give you kittens!

Well, I think I'll go to get the 2005 MET. Thanks.

You said it actually dates from much earlier, so when?

1992.

I've just found it complete on YouTube too, in sections, so you can decide for yourself:

Originally Posted by mamascarlatti

Thought that would give you kittens!

Yep...Terrible is the more older I get the more fanatic I'm becoming! what's happening to me? Better to find a way out of this

Originally Posted by mamascarlatti

I've just found it complete on YouTube too, in sections, so you can decide for yourself:

Thanks again 1992 (2005 DVD released) finally for me.

I'm a real fan of Gardiner and Anthony Rolfe Johnson is superb.