“Lysistrata, Or the Nude Goddess” at NYC Opera

Having missed the first 10 minutes of Lysistrata, Or the Nude Goddess, I foolishly crept into my seat where I saw what appeared to be four raging Lainie Kazanís protesting war by Athenian ruins.

PUCCINI: Turandot

Here is a Turandot to watch with the sound offónot because the singers misfire so badly, although no one really impresses.

FAUR…: The Complete Songs 3 ó Chanson díamour.

The theme of the third volume of Hyperionís set of the Complete Songs of Gabriel FaurÈ (1845-1924) is Chanson díamour, which takes its name from a piece in the composerís opus 27 set ñ a compilation devoted to the love song.

WHITACRE: Cloudburst and other choral works

There is little doubt about the popularity of Eric Whitacreís music among North American choral ensembles. With the release of this Hyperion disc, the international choral scene may soon become enamored as well.

ROSSINI: Maometto Secondo

Before you watch this DVD, the best thing you can do is read the sleeve notes. They are brief but to the point; and they succinctly tell you the differences between this Venice version and the traditional one.

VERDI: La forza del destino

After issuing recordings of Les VÍpres Siciliennes, Simon Boccanegra, and Macbeth, Opera Rara continues it series of Verdi Originalsófirst versions of operas the composer later revisedówith La forza del destino.

MOZART: Don Giovanni and Cosi fan tutte

This is an absolutely wonderful, live performance recording of two of Mozartís best operas, Don Giovanni and Cosi fan tutte.

City Operaís Production of The Most Happy Fella

The New York City Opera opened its spring 2006 season with a new production of Frank Loesserís The Most Happy Fella, which premiered on Broadway fifty years ago in 1956.

SCHUBERT: Symphony no. 9

This is an absolutely fabulous recording of Schubertís final symphony, which is often compared as his closest composition to the style of Beethoven.

MONTEVERDI: L’Orfeo

In the 1990ís Pierre Audi staged productions of Monteverdiís three surviving operas (LíOrfeo, Il ritorno díUlisse in patria, and Líincoronazione di Poppea) with De Nederlandse Opera in Amsterdam.