Category: Reviews

The back of this DG set relates that the company made the recording “in Modena in conjunction with a series of performances in Italy and Germany.”

Decca/London was somewhat earlier with their series ëClassic Recitalsí and now Deutsche Gramophon is following without that title.

Though this La Vestale is sung in its original French, it strikes me as rather odd that the contents in the sleeve notes nevertheless still employs the Italian names Licinio and Giulia.

As rare as it may be to hear Gounodís Faust in Bulgarian, the language differences soon pass in a good performance, especially one that includes a live performance of the bass Nicolai Ghiaurov from the prime of his performing career.

My father was a small bit player in an amateur operetta company from 1947 till 1963 when the company folded.

Those familiar with Antoni Wit’s fine recording of Mahler’s Eighth Symphony will have encountered some Polish singers in the solo parts, and among them is the baritone Wojtek Drabowicz.

Two of the most famous Wagner interpreters of the twentieth century, Hans Hotter and Birgit Nilsson, are always worth hearing in their studio recordings, and the live recordings capture the spontaneity of an actual performance with such accomplished singers.

The demise of Tower Records adds another hurdle to the collector’s challenge in acquiring rare performances on obscure labels.

“Cecilia, cast a glance upon the land of Britain, and you will see that in sonorous strains it renews on this day the pleasing memory of your name so dear. . . .”