Recorded between 18 and 29 June 1984 at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, this production of Richard Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nűrnberg makes a classic presentation of the opera available in a two-DVD set issued in 2006 by Deutsche Grammophon.
Category: Reviews
Verdi Gala from Berlin
This concert was given on New Year’s eve in the year 2000, and the frail Claudio Abbado who
comes out to conduct makes for an alarming sight.
Berlin “Ring” remains a sterling achievement
It was in the “Orwell year” 1984 that Götz Friedrich, general manager — Intendant — of the Deutsche Oper Berlin (DOB) from 1983 until his death in 2000, staged the first half of Wagner’s “Ring des Nibelungen” in the 1900-seat house on Berlin’s Bismarckstrasse.
OONY Performs Cilèa’s L’Arlesiana
It is well known that the Opera Orchestra of New York’s performances are required events for
opera aficionados to hear the the most exciting performances of the season.
Adams/Sellars “Tree” blossoms sublimely at SFS
Compared with Pamina and Tamino, Kumudha and her Prince, the central figures in “A Flowering Tree,” the John Adams and Peter Sellars collaboration given its American premiere on March 1 by the San Francisco Symphony, walk a rock-strewn road.
La Bohème – English National Opera
The death this month of director Stephen Pimlott could have cast a shadow over this revival of his 1993 production, but a hugely affectionate pre-show tribute by colleague Nicholas Hytner ensured that the performance only served to do great honour to the memory of a man who was clearly loved and cherished by many.
K¡LM¡N : Die Csárdásfürstin
The booklet essay writer effuses passionately about this filmed Kalman operetta, Die Csárdásfürstin. Jürgen Otten gushes over the “immortal melodies,” Anna Moffo’s “precious jewel” of a voice, and Rene Kollo’s “innate nobility.”
Nicole Cabell, St John’s Smith Square, London
The Rosenblatt Recital Series, which presents concerts around London from artists ranging from the well-known to the brand-new, last week showcased Nicole Cabell, the glamorous 29-year-old winner of the 2005 Cardiff Singer of the World competition.
Rachmaninov and Glinka: Lieder • Songs • Chants
Originally released by Deutsche Grammophon in 1976, this recording of selected songs by Sergei
Rachmaninov (1873-1943) and Mikhail Glinka (1804-57) make available some fine examples of
Russian art song to Western audiences.
ADAM: Le Postillon de Longjumeau
Why should anyone buy a German language broadcast of a delicious French opéra-comique?