Category: Recordings

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.

Los Angeles Opera opened the 2005-6 season with a staging of Offenbachís La Grande-Duchesse de Gerolstein, directed by Hollywoodís Garry Marshall.

In 2001, Finland observed the 300th anniversary of the Finnish Hymnal. As a part of the celebration, YLE (the Finnish public broadcasting company) launched a project to record a substantial portion of the hymnal in performance by soloists or ensembles.

In this compelling documentary, Christopher Nupen has captured rare and wondrous collaborations by some of the greatest twentieth century performers as they pay tribute to an early nineteenth century musical treasure, Franz Schubert.

Jessye Normanís long-time label, Philips, celebrates the artistís sizeable recorded heritage with an expansive series of double CDs of re-releases, under the sobriquet The Jessye Norman Collection.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.