I admit I jumped at the chance to review these SACD re-releases of performances that were on the very first classical vocal LPís that I owned and overplayed on under-maintained equipment, to the point where I frankly shudder to even try to compare my vinyl versions with the digital.
Monteverdi Choir/Gardiner ó Cadogan Hall, London
http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/reviews/story/0,11712,1670919,00.html
Acoustics first, then architecture
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/9efbcdb6-70fd-11da-89d3-0000779e2340.html
Voices of doom at the Coliseum
http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/features/story/0,11710,1669831,00.html
WAGNER, S.: Der Heidenkˆnig
What an unjust fate for an aspiring opera composer to be born the son of Richard Wagner! Imagine a child of Albert Einstein who dreams of greatness in science, or the son of William Shakespeare sitting down to sketch out his first sonnet. Doubtless you would have a nagging suspicion that you would likely never better your fatherís titanic accomplishments.
The legendary Magda Olivero
What is the difference between a lady who becomes a prima-donna and a prima-donna who becomes a lady? The last one has to be begged as she thinks she has to behave according to her rank. The first one is sure of herself and doesnít need, well letís call it to behave somewhat capriciously.
RAUTAVAARA: Rasputin
In fall 2003, Los Angeles Opera opened its season with Deborah Dratellís Nicholas and Alexandra, with libretto by Nicholas von Hoffman. At that time, company director Placido Domingo, who took on the juicy role of Rasputin, announced that the production would be filmed and prepared for eventual DVD release.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe himself as a musical hero: The case of Leh·rís Friederike
Franz Leh·r was not the first to think of Goethe as an opera or operetta hero. There was the precedent of Giacomo Meyerbeer himself who in his old age wrote theatre music for a piece called La Jeunesse de Goethe. The piece was never performed.