Verdi: La Forza del Destino

From a relatively obscure label — Osteria — comes this 1962 live recording of Verdi’s La Forza del Destino, featuring a relatively obscure soprano, GrÈ Brouwenstijn.

Classics for Pleasure opera highlights: Puccini

With single CD versions of full-length operas, isn’t the term “highlights” presumptuous?

MASSENET: Cendrillon

Cendrillion, Conte de FÈes in 4 Acts
Music composed by Jules Massenet (1842–1912). Libretto by Henri Cain after Perrault.

Third Tristan Survives Tension at the Met

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/24/arts/music/24tris.html?_r=1&ref=music&oref=slogin

Opera ‘Thunderstorm’ fascinating, impressive

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=141cf6a0-1e2d-48a8-af9c-275b193a7510&k=85518

Falstaff’s Comedy and Dignity

http://www.nysun.com/article/73405

Opera’s elite celebrate music of Viardot

http://www.mercurynews.com/music/ci_8635314

MASSENET: Werther

Werther: Drame lyrique en 4 actes et 5 tableaux

Music composed by Jules Massenet. Libretto by Edouard Blau, Paul Milliet and Georges Hartmann based on Die Leiden des jungen Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Lalo’s Fiesque — University College Opera

UC Opera’s reputation for showcasing rare large-scale works has been boosted this year with the UK premiere of this 1846 opera by Edouard Lalo after a Schiller play.

Frankfurt’s Ship of Fools

As Anna Russell might say: “The three operas of Puccini’s ‘Il Trittico’ take place on a luxury cruise liner. . . . . On it.”