Looking for opera recommendations

Posted by: dougmon on 24 January 2010

Hello to all,

I have lately been listening to a good deal of Italian opera (mostly Verdi, some Puccini), and I'm finding that many recordings, while good, are lacking in the all-round ensemble feel that I like to see. So I am looking for recommendations of recordings of great Italian opera. I find that I'm more partial to Verdi than others, but I am seeking to expand my horizons.

Sound quality is not paramount, so the performances could be from any year.

I do have the following criteria, though:

-- I'm not very fond of Callas (yes, yes, heresy I'm sure).
-- Though sound quality is not paramount, I have heard some recordings that have crackling distortion as loud as the music itself on the louder parts. For some reason, this interferes with my enjoyment of the recordings.

Thanks to all for any help given.

Doug
Posted on: 24 January 2010 by Voltaire
Doug, this is an OST so one may be predisposed to dismiss it but, imho, it is one of the finest recordings I know.



Plácido Domingo, Katia Ricciarelli, Justino Diaz, Ezio di Cesar..etc

Simply superb!

Gordon

It is on Spotify but I don't think Spotify is avaliable in Arizona yet?

'Act Four, Scene Three: Aprite! Aprite!/Quai Grida! Orrore! Orror! - Petra Malakova/Placido Domingo/Katia Ricciarelli' is utterly peerless.
Posted on: 24 January 2010 by Lontano
I have always liked this Traviata
Posted on: 24 January 2010 by dougmon
Lontano: thanks. I should have mentioned, I have that version of "La Traviata", and I am very fond of it.

I also have two versions of "Rigoletto", both with Pavarotti as the Duke, but I am probably going to pick up the Sills/Milnes version as well.

Thanks to everyone so far, though of course I hope the replies will keep coming...
Posted on: 24 January 2010 by Lontano
I rather like this one as well
Posted on: 24 January 2010 by Huwge
You can't really fault this Decca boxset for Puccini's 150th anniversary



I prefer the Bohème on EMI with Björling and de los Angeles under Beecham.

In addition to Puccini and Verdi, Rossini ticks the boxes as well: Barber of Seville, Cinderella, Journey to Rheims, etc.
Posted on: 24 January 2010 by Voltaire
quote:
Originally posted by dougmon:
Thanks to everyone so far, though of course I hope the replies will keep coming...


quote:
...so one may be predisposed to dismiss it...,
Posted on: 24 January 2010 by dougmon
quote:
Originally posted by Voltaire:

Plácido Domingo, Katia Ricciarelli, Justino Diaz, Ezio di Cesar..etc

It is on Spotify but I don't think Spotify is avaliable in Arizona yet?


Spotify isn't available in America at all.

Thanks for the recommendation.
Posted on: 24 January 2010 by Lontano
I like these as well particularly Mathilde. Florez is superb.

Posted on: 24 January 2010 by Voltaire
quote:
I'm not very fond of Callas (yes, yes, heresy I'm sure)


Not with me Doug!

Smile
Posted on: 27 January 2010 by --duncan--
Great opera, great performance.




duncan
Posted on: 27 January 2010 by graham55
Erich Kleiber made two wonderful recordings with the Vienna Philharmonic and State Opera in the early 1950s:

The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart)

Der Rosenkavalier (Richard Strauss)

Wonderful music, conducted by a master of his craft, and never really bettered.
Posted on: 27 January 2010 by graham55
quote:
Originally posted by Voltaire:
Doug, this is an OST so one may be predisposed to dismiss it but, imho, it is one of the finest recordings I know.



Plácido Domingo, Katia Ricciarelli, Justino Diaz, Ezio di Cesar..etc

Simply superb!

Gordon

It is on Spotify but I don't think Spotify is avaliable in Arizona yet?

'Act Four, Scene Three: Aprite! Aprite!/Quai Grida! Orrore! Orror! - Petra Malakova/Placido Domingo/Katia Ricciarelli' is utterly peerless.


Voltaire, what's so sad about this recording is that EMI had signed up Carlos Kleiber to conduct it. He withdrew when it became apparent that the producers were ducking around with Verdi's score.