The late Guiseppe Sinopoli (1946-2001) became established as an estimable conductor of nineteenth-century music, and his legacy includes a number of fine recordings.
Category: Reviews
San Francisco Opera summer season, 2008
David Gockley heard the cries of many an opera fan that Pamela Rosenberg had denied them their ‘stars,’ so for his summer season, 2008, he brought them Natalie Dessay, Susan Graham, Ruth Ann Swenson, and Stefan Margita.
BELLINI: Norma
The best thing about this set, a Norma recorded live at the Teatro delle Muse di Ancona in late 2004, is the booklet essay by Marco Beghelli, offered in both English and Italian (no credit to any translator).
Unusual Fare at Opera Festival of St. Louis
My visit to two rarely mounted pieces at the Opera Festival of St. Louis brought to mind the little girl with the curl, for when it was good, it was very very good and when it was bad, it was, um. . .er. . .
Don Carlo at Royal Opera House
In the latter part of last year, the casting for Nicholas Hytnerís new production of Don Carlo ó in the five-act Italian version ó looked to be on shaky ground.
Don Giovanni. No, the other one
No one has ever called Gazzanigaís Don Giovanni an overlooked masterpiece.
MEYERBEER: Semiramide
This Dynamic recording of Meyerbeer’s Semiramide, an opera title more familiar with Rossini’s name appended, mixes the pleasure of a modestly appealing surprise with regret at key aspects of the performance.
A rare treasure in Saint Louis. . .
Pink flamingos, sheep on wheels, and a queen crowned with giant antlers all inhabit the zany world of Opera Theatre of Saint Louisís Una cosa rara, where the artificial 18th century pastoral commingles with cutesy country colors and 1950s yard art.
Choral Music by Dvo?·k and Brahms
Among the choral music of Anton [Antonin] Dvorak, the familiar Stabat Mater, Op. 58, is known to modern audiences through various live performances and recordings.