Itís always interesting when oneís own opinion about a work varies violently from othersí views, even if they are to date minimal in number. In this case, it is not the music per se that is under discussion but the way it is represented, or in my opinion, mis-represented by this film.
Author: Gary Hoffman
Don Pasquale at the Met
Don Pasquale is generally considered one of Donizetti’s greatest works. Yet, “[o]f the three Donizetti operas being performed at The Met this season, the comedy Don Pasquale has been out of the repertoire for the longest time.” This season the opera returns with bass Simone Alaimo (Don Pasquale), soprano Anna Netrebko (Norina) and tenor Juan Diego FlÛrez (Ernesto). Here are four reviews.
Stepping Onstage as a Waitress, She May Exit the Met as a Star
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/01/nyregion/01erika.html
Gala Concertó50th Anniversary of the Reopening of the Vienna State Opera
Tuxes and gowns, a marathon of trotting on and offstage by renowned singers, a ritzy audience abusing their palms with ritual clappingóyes, EuroArts has another opera gala event available on DVD in this two-disc Vienna State Opera Gala concert.
RACHMANINOV: Piano concerti nos. 1 and 2
This is a wonderful, recent recording of these popular piano concertos by Rachmaninov. The Piano concerto no. 1 is a studio recording, while the Piano concerto no. 2 is a live version.
Ian Bostridge, Middle Temple Hall, London
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/a1061d70-c00b-11da-939f-0000779e2340.html
STRAUSS: Daphne
New recordings of complete operas lumber into view these days as the dinosaurs trod painfully into a dying sun in an animated depiction of their extinction.