Category: Recordings

Those opera lovers prone to rage at the perceived dominance of the director in their beloved art form today may collapse in apoplexy at this first release from the company called SignumVision.

The word “living” would be a fitting addition to the subtitle of this collection of “Songs by American Composers.”

“An all-American Norma,” Roger Pines calls this release in his entertaining booklet essay.

This excellent production of Monteverdi’s final (premiered in 1643) and most problematic opera features first-rate singing and a very effective (and restrained) staging.

In the Euroarts series Discovering Masterpieces of Classical Music: Documentary & Performance, the volume devoted to BÈla BartÛk’s Concerto for Orchestra stands out as a particularly accessible and well-executed release.

For adherents of the prima voce school of opera appreciation, this Laurent Pelly production of Donizetti’s comic masterpiece may not hold that much appeal.

Although Antonio Vivaldi’s instrumental compositions were highly popular in his lifetime, and have been held in high regard throughout the centuries, most of his operas have been — until recently — relegated to obscurity.

EMI’s publicity for this studio recording focuses on soprano Angela Gheorghiu and her portrayal of Cio-Cio-San.

Of Donizetti’s 55 operas, four to five hold on to secure places in the repertory, a much greater number are all but unknown, and in the middle come the titles that see occasional revivals, as flawed but fascinating rarities.

This looks like a winner, with an esteemed conductor (Zubin Mehta), top-rank cast (Violeta Urmana, Marcello Giordani, Carlo Guelfi), and a production directed by Nicholas JoÎl that originated at the Opernhaus Z¸rich, a house that takes some chances and scores some successes.