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What opera CD/DVD have you purchased recently?

410K views 3K replies 201 participants last post by  Eramire156 
#1 ·
i just ordered the Kubelik Meistersinger.
cant wait to hear it?:)
 
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#176 ·
Not an opera dvd per se, but for a very long time I looked for this box set of a miniseries that I remember watching (in part) when it was originally televised circa 1983 (Burton's penultimate screen appearance before his death in 1984).

At the time I wasn't a Wagner fan, but I was curious about his biography. My father was a huge Wagner fan but he horselaughed away this outing and refused to watch it. He thought that the idea of Burton as Wagner was ludicrous. The miniseries has its shortcomings and longuers, but I was surprised to find myself liking it much more than I deprecated some of those drawn out, gauche or overstated moments. Much like Wagner's music I guess. :devil:

But I think that Burton did a more than credible job. I've always enjoyed listening to his voice anyway. And the rest of the cast included many illustrious cameos, with Gielgud and Redgrave very effective. And always, the music, which is well-represented. I had to order it from Europe and waited a long time for delivery. Well worth the wait, all said, in my opinion.

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#177 ·
That was a great mini series. Last I looked on youtube.
There was also one on Verdi, I believe.
 
#182 ·
View attachment 35973

Finally in my collection, some of the greatest soprano Rossini singing ever to be committed to disc. Pity the tenors aren't anywhere near up to it. I've had this in various incarnations, but this is the best sound I've ever heard.
I SENT AWAY FOR MY COPY FROM DIVINA RECORDS ALMOST THREE WEEKS AGO AND I STILL DON'T HAVE IT!!!! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuh! . . . I believe your glowing appraisal with religous conviction. Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha. . . Forget the galas of the 'Roman' Festivals, I'm going to the 'Callas' Festivals at Covent, Dallas, and La Scala.
 
#183 ·
I decided to dip into Wagner these last few weeks. Being opera I always need to start with a DVD with libretto / subtitles and total undivided attention.

Started off with Das Rheingold. Levine's 1990 Met Opera interpretation is good and an ideal start for a newcomer like me in view of the traditional setting. Siegfried Jerusalem as Loge is a brilliant interpreter and actor. James Morris as Wotan has top notch singing ability:

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Next in line was Boulez's 1980 offering at Bayreuth. The acting is amazing, with fine singers throughout. The camera work was especially detailed and choreographed well. Feels like watching a movie at times. The orchestra was lighter but well paced. Still I long for a good interpretation such as this in a traditional Wagnerian setting.
Heinz Zetnik gave a great interpretation as Loge the demigod of Fire

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Solti's Das Rheingold was next in line in CD format. Fast paced with obvious focus on the brass and the most dramatic aspects of the music. Awesome interpretation.

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Can't wait to sample Barenboim's DVD version as well as the Copenhagen's rendition soon.

Following this I'll delve into the other three operas completing the Ring cycle. I am in no hurry and love focusing on the different leitmotifs whenever they crop up. The helmet motif at times is just there for fleeting seconds!

Only repeated listening can do Wagner justice.
 
#187 ·
I decided to dip into Wagner these last few weeks. Being opera I always need to start with a DVD with libretto / subtitles and total undivided attention.

Started off with Das Rheingold. Levine's 1990 Met Opera interpretation is good and an ideal start for a newcomer like me in view of the traditional setting. Siegfried Jerusalem as Loge is a brilliant interpreter and actor. James Morris as Wotan has top notch singing ability:

View attachment 36007

Next in line was Boulez's 1980 offering at Bayreuth. The acting is amazing, with fine singers throughout. The camera work was especially detailed and choreographed well. Feels like watching a movie at times. The orchestra was lighter but well paced. Still I long for a good interpretation such as this in a traditional Wagnerian setting.
Heinz Zetnik gave a great interpretation as Loge the demigod of Fire

View attachment 36008

Solti's Das Rheingold was next in line in CD format. Fast paced with obvious focus on the brass and the most dramatic aspects of the music. Awesome interpretation.

View attachment 36011

Can't wait to sample Barenboim's DVD version as well as the Copenhagen's rendition soon.

Following this I'll delve into the other three operas completing the Ring cycle. I am in no hurry and love focusing on the different leitmotifs whenever they crop up. The helmet motif at times is just there for fleeting seconds!

Only repeated listening can do Wagner justice.
Sooooooooo true.
 
#189 ·
The first disc on this set arrived with a blemish caused by a cheap plastic sleeve. Almost as if a piece of it had seared right onto the cd surface. That must have been one strong combination of pressure and in-transit heat exposure??!! Did the UPS driver keep it close to the engine manifest? Anyhoo, I contacted the seller and will be able to have it replaced soon, I hope. Details about the packing of the discs lead me to suspect that they sent me an item that a previous buyer had returned. :confused: So I may have to postpone my acquaintance with the late Ms. Hunt.

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This is me sad -> :(
 
#191 ·
The first disc on this set arrived with a blemish caused by a cheap plastic sleeve. Almost as if a piece of it had seared right onto the cd surface. That must have been one strong combination of pressure and in-transit heat exposure??!! Did the UPS driver keep it close to the engine manifest? Anyhoo, I contacted the seller and will be able to have it replaced soon, I hope. Details about the packing of the discs lead me to suspect that they sent me an item that a previous buyer had returned. :confused: So I may have to postpone my acquaintance with the late Ms. Hunt.

This is me sad -> :(
Hope you get it replaced and soon!
 
G
#193 ·
Wagner's Lohengrin - the Kempe 1963 recording on EMI with Jess Thomas. I found a digital download for only $19.99. Thus completes my collection of Wagner's major operas. I am enjoying the Ring, but Wagner has not yet convinced me enough yet that I desire multiple recordings. For now, one of each should suffice.
 
#196 ·
The Solti is great as well and in some ways even better than the Kempe.
 
#200 ·
De Los Angeles is great, I have a ravishing set of her singing some Ravel and Duparc.

I was technically "done" purchasing for awhile but I stumbled on it on iTunes for only 10 dollars, and I had a reimbursement check from work today so I decided to go for it. *shamefaced* but I really must take a break now.....
 
#202 · (Edited)
I mentioned a few in the recent purchases in the latest purchases thread elsewhere, however one opera I have been looking for a new recording of is Wagner's Parsifal. My only audio recording is Gergiev's relatively recent release at present.

Choosing an alternative recording of this piece was very difficult, with a number of very appealing choices. Ultimately, the solution came to me courtesy of the Meistersinger and I have ordered Rafael Kubelik's recording with the Chor Und Symphonieorchester Des Bayerischen Rundfunks. This recording seems highly regarded and if it matches Kubelik's Meistersinger recording I will be one very satisfied listener.

Should arrive in the morning fingers crossed.

I have also picked up a number of ENO guides to Mozart's popular four (Don Giovanni, Figaro, Zauberflöte and Cosi), Simon Boccanegra (an opera whose rich music I have been introduced to but know little of the plot) and Parsifal appropriately. Aside from the historical background and introductory articles, these include a libretto in the original language and English - very handy considering these are often cut to reduce expense.
 
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#208 ·
I've been hearing and reading so many raves about these two, particularly for the Ercole, that I gave in, once again, and just ordered both of them. These are going to be my very first acquaintance with the Red Priest's operas.

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I borrowed that Bajazet as well as Griselda from the library. It will be my first foray into Vivaldi opera. I never would have had an interest in Vivaldi opera on my own, but hanging around here long enough makes you dig a little deeper into the reportoire :)
 
#210 ·
I'm not so sure about the Rodelinda, as I've read mixed reviews. No mixed reviews for the Hercules - although I'm not a big fan of the conductor, but he did fine with Ariodante, in my book. The proof of both puddings, however... These are the last two Handel opera/oratorios that I wanted to have. They will do. Until someone here starts touting persuasively one that I don't have.

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