La Boheme (1982) with Teresa Stratas (1999 Pioneer DVD)

This is another of one of my favorite opera DVDs. Stratas and Carreras are wonderful. I listen to this all the time. However, this does not sound like a studio recording, as it was filmed live at the Met. I will embed a few of my favorite arias/duets from this recording in another post.

La Boheme
1982 Metropolitan Opera performance
featuring Teresa Stratas, Renata Scotto, and Jose Carreras
141 minutes; 1991 release, Paramount VHS, Geneon [Pioneer] DVD

Teresa Stratas and Jose Carreras turn in well-acted, grand performances of "Mimi", and "Rodolfo". Renata Scotto is a little shaky and seems a little stretched, especially the high range. The entire production is well staged, acted and beautifully sung. Definitely well worth the time, one of the best versions of Puccini’s masterwork. The only con is that the subtitles cannot be removed.

Lucia di Lammermoor

Lucia di Lammermoor (Decca London; 3 discs)
Featuring Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Sherrill Milnes, and Nicolai Ghiaurov
Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Conducted by Richard Bonynge
Probably the BEST recording of Lucia out there. This was Joan Sutherland’s second recording of "Lucia", done in 1971, so she is comfortable with the role and vocally brilliant. The rest of the cast is great but Sutherland is "La Stupenda". I would recommend this for any fan of Sutherland, or the opera itself. One of the best recordings of one of the masterpieces in opera.

The Very Best of Maria Callas

The Very Best of Maria Callas (EMI)
Are you curious about La Divina? This is a great compilation of her famous hits, from a variety of operas. Everything from "Carmen" to "Norma", this is a great way to start. "Mon coeur s’ouvre a ta voix", "Depuis le jour", and "Suicidio!" are the stand-outs. This makes great background opera listening.




Track List
1. Habanera: L'Amour est un Oiseau Rebelle (Carmen)
2. O Mio Babbino Caro (Gianni Schicchi)
3. Ebben, Ne Andro Lontana (La Wally)
4. Mon Coeur S'Ouvre a ta Voix (Samson et Dalila)
5. Vissi D'Arte (Tosca)
6. La Mamma Morta (Andrea Chenier)
7. Porgi Amor (Le Nozze di Figaro)
8. J'Ai Perdu Mon Eurydice (Orphee et Eurydice)
9. Ritorna Vincitor (Aida)
10. Ecco . . . Lo Son L'Umile Ancella (Adriana Lecouvreur)
11. Un Bel Di (Madame Butterfly)
12. Casta Diva (Norma)
13. Signore Ascolta (Turandot)
14. Depuis Le Jour (Louise)
15. Mi Chiamano Mimi (La Boheme)
16. Suicidio! (La Gioconda)
17. Pace, Pace Mio Dio (La Forza Del Destino)

The Art of Singing

The Art of Singing: Golden Voices of the Century
116 minutes; Nvc Arts DVD

Fantastic viewing. Footage of 28 great singers, beginning with Caruso and ending with Callas. Features other greats, such as Tebaldi, Bjorling, di Stefano, Tetrazini, Corelli, Sutherland, Price, Stevens, and Ponselle. Some newsreel footage of Caruso. Rosa Ponselle's Hollywood screen tests. A bit of Callas singing "Parigi, o cara" with Alfredo Kraus, from the famous Lisbon "Traviata". Many other rare and fascinating film clips. Interviews with Rosa Ponselle, Magda Olivero, Thomas Hampson, and others. This DVD offers one of the best ways to become familiar with the great opera singers from the golden era and would be a great introduction video for an opera newcomer. Consider this a quick Historical Opera Performers 101.

The Ultimate Opera Divas Album

The Ultimate Opera Divas Album (Decca)
Featuring Cecilia Bartoli, Marilyn Horne, Angela Gheorghiu, Renata Tebaldi, Montserrat Caballe, Zinka Milznov, Mirella Freni, Joan Sutherland, Leontyne Price, Renee Fleming, Tatiana Troyanos, Kiri Te Kanawa, Frederica Von Stade, Sumi Jo, Kathleen Battle, Kirsten Flagstad, and Birgit Nilsson.

A fantastic album featuring many of the greatest sopranos singing some of the greatest songs. A perfect introduction to these ladies’ different styles and the different types of opera, from Puccini to Wagner. This CD is what hooked me on Joan Sutherland and opened a whole new door in the operatic world.



Track List:
1. Non piu mesta (La Cenerentola) Cecilia Bartoli
2. Cruda sorte! (L'italiana in Algeri) Marilyn Horne
3. Sempre Libera (La Traviata) Angela Gheorghiu
4. Ebben? Ne andro lontana (La Wally) Renata Tebaldi
5. La Mamma Morte (Andrea Chenier) Montserrat Caballe
6. Suicidio! (La Gioconda) Zinka Milanov
7. Un Bel Di (Madame Butterfly) Mirella Freni
8. Casta Diva (Norma) Joan Sutherland
9. Vissi D'arte (Tosca) Leontyne Price
10. Ave Maria (Otello) Renee Fleming
11. Habanera (Carmen) Tatiana Troyanos
12. Dove Sono (Le Nozze di Figaro) Kiri Te Kanawa
13. Voi Che Sapate (Le Nozze di Figaro) Frederica Von Stade
14. Queen of the Night's Revenge Aria (Die Zauberflote) Sumi Jo
15. Durch Zartlichkeit und Schmeicheln (The Abduction from the Serglio) Kathleen Battle
16. Du Bist der Lenz (Die Walkure) Kirsten Flagstad
17. Mild und leise "Liebstod" (Tristan und Isolde) Birgit Nilsson

The Da Capo Opera Manual

The Da Capo Opera Manual by Nicholas Ivor Martin.
Absolutely the BEST opera reference book out there! Each listing includes locations/sets, number of acts/scenes, major arias, hazards of production (e.g., avalanches), categorization of roles, dance/chorus movement, and more. Other features include a listing of arias, alphabetically and by voice part; and, as operas are listed alphabetically by title, indices by composer and librettist. If your local library doesn't have one, try Amazon.

Fidelio (1991) with Gabriela Benackova

For my first review, I may as well start with the best. This is one of my very favorite opera recordings!

Fidelio
1991 Royal Opera House, Covent Garden performance
featuring Gabriela Benackova and Josef Protschka
124 Minutes; Image Entertainment DVD (also available on VHS)

When you combine Beethoven’s superb music with the remarkable voice of Gabriela Benackova, there’s only one thing wrong: it’s over too soon. In my opinion, this is simply the BEST “Fidelio” out there, film or recording. Gabriela Benackova shines as Leonore. Her “Abscheulicher!” is so thrilling that it’s over before you know it. Monte Pederson’s “Ha welch ein augenblick” and Marie McLaughlin’s “O war ich schon” are only a couple of the highlights of this performance.
Definitely worth the time!



Here is a sample video from this film.

Welcome to "My Opera News"!

This is the companion blog to SE's E Goes to the Opera portion of their website, http://www.seproductions.org/. We'll be featuring reviews of opera recordings, DVDs and books, as well as other opera news, updates and fun facts!

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