Verdi La Traviata opera to libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. Directed 2021 by Davide Livermore at the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. Stars Nadine Sierra (Violetta Valéry), Francesco Meli (Alfredo Germont), Leo Nucci (Giorgio Germont), Caterina Piva (Flora Bervoix), Luca Bernard (Gastone de Letorières), Catherine Meldolesi (Annina), Francesco Samuele Venuti (Baron Douphol), William Corrò (Marchese d'Obigny), Emanuele Cardaro (Dr. Grenvil), Alfio Vacanti (Giuseppe, Servant of Violetta), Giovanni Mazzei (Commissionario), and Egidio Massimo (Un domestico di Flora). Zubin Meta conducts the Orchestra e Coro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (Chorus Master Lorenzo Fratini). Set designs by Giò Forma; costume designs by Mariana Fracasso; light designs by Antonio Castro; video designs by D-wok. Directed for TV by Tiziano Mancini. Video Production by Metis. Sound by MASClassica Audio Recording—Claudio Speranzini and Antonio Martino. Sung in Italian. Released 2022, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
This is the hard-edge Swinging Sixties update to La Traviata . . .
Read MoreMavra/Iolante by stage director Axel Ranisch is a creative combination of Igor Stravinsky’s one-act opera Mavra and Tschaikovsky’s one-act opera Iolanta. Recorded in 2019 at the Cuvilliés Theatre Munich. Mavra is a comedy about a clever and aggressive girl who blunders into losing her lover. Iolanta is a bittersweet story of a princess who finds love even though she was sheltered from life by the king and grew up ignorant that she was blind. The star singers are graduate students in the Opernstudio der Bayerischen Staatsoper. Alevtina Ioffe conducts the Chorus and Children’s Chorus of der Bayerischen Staatsoper (Chorus Master Stellario Fagone) and the Bayerisches Staatsorchester. Set, costume, and video designs by Falko Herold; lighting by Michael Bauer. Sung in Russian. Directed for TV by Corentin Leconte. Released 2022, disc has 5.1 dts-MA Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
Mavra has been performed rarely and has been recorded only a few times in CD collections of Russian music. Iolante is fairly well known—we have 2 HDVDs of it in our Alphalist. The two operas were written to vastly different styles of music. The charm will be to see how Ranisch bakes his cake . . .
Read MoreVerdi Rigoletto opera to libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. Directed 2021 by Oliver Mears at the Royal Opera House. Stars Carlos Álvarez (Rigoletto), Liparit Avetisyan (Duke), Lisette Oropesa (Gilda), Brindley Sherratt (Sparafucile), Ramona Zaharia (Maddalena), Kseniia Nikolaieva (Giovanna), Eric Greene (Monterone), Dominic Sedgwick (Marullo), Egor Zhuravskii (Borsa). Antonio Pappano conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House (Chorus Master William Spaulding). Set design by Simon Lima Holdsworth; costume design by Ilona Karas; lighting design by Fabiana Piccioli; movement direction by Anna Morrissey. Directed for TV by Peter Jones. Sung in Italian. Released 2022, disc features 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
This new production from the Royal Opera House got mostly rave reviews from critics who saw it live. For example, Tim Ashley, writing in The Guardian, says “Álvarez is utterly compelling as Rigoletto. Oropesa makes a matchless Gilda, singing with an extraordinary beauty of tone and understated depth of feeling: this really is one of the truly great performances.” So this would probably be a good choice even though we already have . . .
Read MoreRimsky-Korsakov Christmas Eve opera to a libretto by the composer. Directed 2021-2022 by Christof Loy at Oper Frankfurt. Stars Georgy Vasiliev (Vakula), Julia Muzychenko (Oksana), Enkelejda Shkoza (Solokha), Alexey Tikhomirov (Chub), and Andrei Popov (Devil). Sebastian Weigle conducts the Frankfurter Opern-und Museumsorchester and the Chor der Oper Frankfurt (Chorus Master Tilman Michael). Set design by Johannes Leiacker, costumes by Ursula Renzenbrink; lighting by Olaf Winter; choreography by Klevis Elmazaj; flight choreography by Ran Arthur Braun; dramaturgy by Maximilian Enderle. Directed for TV by Myriam Hoyer. Sung in Russian. Released 2022, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
I saw some of this on streamed on OperaVision. I wasn’t that wild about the plot or the streamed video images. But the music is absolutely arresting . . .
Read MoreLuigi Nono Intolleranza 1960 opera to a libretto by the composer (based on texts from Henri Alleg, Bertolt Brecht, Paul Éluard, Julius Fučík, Wladimir Majakowski, Angelo Maria Ripellino, and Jean-Paul Sartre). Directed 2021 by Jan Lauwers at the Felseignriteschule as part of the Salzburg Festival. Stars Sean Panikker (A Migrant), Sarah Maria Sen (A Woman), Antonio Yang (An Algerian), Musa Ngqungwana (A Torture Victim), and Victor Afung Lauwters (The Blind Poet). Also features performers from Lauwers’ NEEDCOMPANY, dancers from the BODHI PROJECT, and members of the Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance. Ingo Metzmacher conducts the Wiener Philharmoniker, the Konzertvereinigung of the Wiener Staatsopernchor (Chorus Master Huw Rhys James), Soprano Leah Manning, and Anna-Maria Birnbauer (A Laughing Woman). Set and design by Jan Lauwers, costumes by Lot Lemm, lighting and video designs by Ken Hioco; sound design by Paul Juekendrup; dramatury by Elke Janssens and Kasia Tórz. Directed for TV by Tiziano Mancini. Sung in Italian. Released in 2022, disc has PCM Stereo sound. Grade: NA
Nono was a life-long Italian communist who wrote electronic, serial, and aleatory (improvised or chance) music. Intolleranza is a musical and political statement. It has only been staged a few times, and at least two productions resulted in actual vandalism during performances by neo-nazis (in Italy) and members of the John Birch Society (in Boston).
Read MoreBeethoven Piano Sonatas 1-32 (complete) performed by Daniel Barenboim during what are called “The Pierre Boulez Saal Sessions” over 2 weeks in May 2020. Extras include an interview with Barenboim and recordings of 3 masterclasses on Beethoven sonatas taught by Barenboim. Directed for TV by Frédéric Delesques. Released 2022, 4 Blu-ray discs have 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
Barenboim, the world’s most prominent musician, has already recorded Beethoven piano sonatas many times including several complete cycles. We already have all these sonatas recorded in Blu-ray by Rudolf Buchbinder. But we gave those recordings a D+ grade because . . .
Read MoreDonizetti L'elisir d'amore opera to libretto by Felice Romani. Directed 2021 by Frederic Wake-Walker with assistant director Lorenzo Ponte at Teatro Donizetti Bergamo as part of the Donizetti Opera Festival. Stars Caterina Sala (Adina), Javier Camarena (Nemorino), Florian Sempey (Belcore), Roberto Frontali (Dulcamara), Anaïs Mejias (Giannetta), and Manuel Ferreira (Master of ceremonies). Ricardo Frizza conducts Orchestra Gli Originali and the Coro Donizetti Opera (Chorus Master Fabio Tartari). Fortepiano by Daniela Pellegrino. Puppets by Daniele Cortesi. Set designs by Federica Parolini with assistant set designer Marta Solari; costume designs by Daniela Cernigliaro with assistant costume designer Marta Solari; lighting by Fiammetta Baldisserri with assistant lighting designer Emanuele Agliati. Directed for TV by Matteo Ricchetti. Sound recording by Rino Trasi and Vera Zanotti; editing and post-production by Rino Trasi. Sung in Italian. Released 2022, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
Another pandemic production with the chorus wearing masks.
Read MoreHandel Giulio Cesare in Egitto (Julius Caesar in Egypt) opera to libretto by Nicola Francesco Haym. Directed 2021 by Keith Warner at the Theater an der Wien. Stars Bejun Mehta (Giulio Cesare), Louise Adler (Cleopatra), Christopher Dumaux (Tolomeo), Patricia Bardon (Cornelia), Jake Arditti (Sesto), Simon Bailey (Achilla), Konstantin Derri (Nireno), and Joni Österlund (Pompeo). Ivor Bolton conducts Concentus Musicus Wien. Set and costume design by Ashley Martin-Davis; lighting design by Mark Jonathan; choreography by Mandy Demetriou; video design by David Haneke; co-stage director was Katharina Kastening; co-set designer was Jeremy Daker. Directed for TV by Tiziano Mancini. Sung in Italian. Released 2022, disc has dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
Read MoreVerdi Gustavo III opera to libretto by Antonio Somma. Directed 2021 by Jacopo Spirei on a project by Graham Vick at the Teatro Regio di Parma. Stars Piero Pretti (Gustavo III), Anna Pirozzi (Amelia), Amartuvshin Enkhbat (Il Conte Gian Giacomo Anckastrom), Anna Maria Chiuri (Ulrica), Giuliana Gianfaldoni (Oscar), Fabio Previati (Cristiano), Fabrizio Beggi (Ribbing), Carlo Cigni (Dehorn), Cristiano Olivieri (Il ministro di giustizia), and Federico Veltri (Un servo del Conte). Roberto Abbado conducts Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini - Orchestra Rapsody, and the Coro del Teatro Regio di Parma (Chorus Master Martino Faggiani). Directed for TV by Tiziano Mancini; sound recording, editing and post-production by Elfride Foroni - BHaudio. Released 2022, this disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
Read MoreMonteverdi L'Orfeo opera to a libretto by Alessandro Striggio. Directed 2021 by Pauline Bayle at the Opéra Comique in Paris. Stars Luciana Mancini (La Musica / Euridice), Marc Mauillon (Orfeo), Sara Mingardo (Messaggiera), FMarianne Beate Kielland (Speranza / Proserpina), Furio Zanasi (Apollo), and Salvo Vitale (Caronte / Plutone). Jordi Savall conducts La Capella Reial de Catalunya and Le Concert des Nations. Set design by Emmanuel Clolus; costume design by Bernadette Villard; lighting design by Pacal Noel. Directed for TV by François Roussillon. Sung in Italian. Released 2022, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
Read MoreFrancesco Cilea Adriana Lecouvreur opera to libretto by Arturo Colautti. Directed 2021 by Frederic Wake-Walker at the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. Stars Martin Muehle (Maurizio), Alessandro Spina (Prince de Bouillon), Paolo Antognetti (Abbé de Chazeuil), Nicola Alaimo (Michonnet), Davide Piva (Quinault), Antonio Garés (Poisson), Michele Gianquinto (Major-domo), Maria José Siri (Adriana Lecouvreur), Ksenia Dudnikova (Princess de Bouillon), Chiara Mogini (Mademoiselle Jouvenot), and Valentina Corò (Mademoiselle Dangeville). Also stars dancers Anna Olkhovaya, Chiara Ferrara, Erika Rombaldoni, Giulia Mostacchi, Sebastiano Marino, and Matteo Zorzoli. Daniel Harding conducts the Orchestra e Coro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. Set design by Polina Liefers; costume design by Julia Katharina Berndt; lighting design by Marco Faustini; choreography Anna Olkhovaya. Directed for TV by Tiziano Mancini. Sung in Italian. Released in 2022, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
Read MoreBeethoven Missa solemnis concert. Performed 2021 at the Salzburg Festival. Riccardo Muti conducts the Wiener Philharmoniker and the Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor (Chorus Master Ernst Raffelsberger). Soloists are Rosa Feola (soprano), Alisa Kolosova (contralto), Dmitry Korchak (tenor), and Ildar Abdrazakov (bass). Directed for TV by Michael Beyer. Sung in German. Released 2022, disc has 5.0 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
I associate Michael Beyer strongly with the dread disease of DVDitis. The trailer below does not have even 1 clear whole-orchestra shot. This strongly suggests that this disc will be another colossal disappointment for discerning fans of classical music in Blu-ray format . . .
Read MoreJanáček Jenůfa opera to a libretto by the composer. Directed 2021 by Claus Guth at the Royal Opera House. Stars Asmik Grigorian (Jenůfa), Elena Zilio (Grandmother Buryjovka), Nicky Spence (Laca Klemeň), Yarita Véliz (Jana), David Stout (Foreman at the Mill), Saimir Pirgu (Števa Buryja), and Karita Mattila (Kostelnička Buryjovka). Henrik Nánási conducts the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House (Principal Guest Concert Master Vasko Vassilev) and the Royal Opera Chorus (Chorus Director William Spaulding). Designs by Michael Levine; costume design by Gesine Völlmi; lighting design by James Farncombe; choreography by Teresa Rotemberg. Directed for TV by Rhodri Huw. Sung in Czech. Released 2022, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
Read MoreRimsky-Korsakov The Golden Cockerel (Le coq d’or) opera to a libretto by Vladimir Belsky. Directed 2021 by Barry Kosky at the Opéra National de Lyon. Stars Dmitry Ulyanov (Tsar Dodon), Nina Minasyan (The Queen of Shemakha), Andrey Popov (The Astrologer), Margarita Nekrasova (Amelfa), and Mischa Schelomianski (General Polkin). Daniele Rustioni conducts the Orchestre et Chœurs de l’Opéra National de Lyon. Set design by Rufus Didwiszus; costume design by Victoria Behr; lighting design by Frank Evin; choreography by Otto Pichler; dramaturgy by Olaf A. Schmitt. Directed for TV by François Roussillon. Sung in Russian. Released in 2022, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
Read MoreWagner Der Fliegende Holländer opera to a libretto by the composer. Directed 2021 by Dmitri Tcherniakov at the Bayreuth Festival. Stars John Lundgren (The Dutchman), Asmik Grigorian (Senta), Georg Zeppenfeld (Daland), Eric Cutler (Erik), Marina Prudenskaya (Mary), and Attilio Glaser (The Steersman). Oksana Lyniv conducts the Chor und Orchester der Bayreuther Festspiele. Stage design by Dmitri Tcherniakov; costume design by Elena Zaytseva; lighting design by Gleb Filshtinsky; dramaturgy by Tatjana Werestchtschagina. Sung in German. Directed for TV by Andy Sommer. Released 2022. (Preliminary information needs confirmation.) Grade: NA
Another Tcherniakov deconstruction project, this time to excellent Wagner music at the Bayreuth big house. Oksana Lyniv is the first female conductor to appear at the Bayreuth Festival. Jim Pritchard saw this live and wrote an exhaustive review (July 2021) for seenandheard-international.com. He includes a lengthy synopsis of the Tcherniakov vision, without which most of us would be completely lost. This title is for Wagner experts only. But even poor I can see that the line-up of singers is superb. Pritchard flips out for Grigorian calling her “one of the leading singing actors of her generation.”
Read More