What Opera Are You Listening to Now?

[NumberSix]

Sylvia McNair: Mozart - Love's Sweet Surrender
Marriner, ASMitF

I have been listening to this lovely collection of Mozart songs and arias, and I decided to detour into "Martern aller Arten" from Seraglio. I have streamed about a half dozen different performances.

Lots of good ones. But yup, I still like Diana Damrau's the best. 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Sylvia McNair: Mozart - Love's Sweet Surrender
Marriner, ASMitF

I have been listening to this lovely collection of Mozart songs and arias, and I decided to detour into "Martern aller Arten" from Seraglio. I have streamed about a half dozen different performances.

Lots of good ones. But yup, I still like Diana Damrau's the best. 

I don't believe that I've heard any of Sylvia McNair's recordings before (though I have heard of her).  And I've only heard one CD of Damrau's (a coloratura one) though I do believe that I've heard her in some Met broadcasts.  Which one of hers do you like?

PD

[NumberSix]

I don't believe that I've heard any of Sylvia McNair's recordings before (though I have heard of her).  And I've only heard one CD of Damrau's (a coloratura one) though I do believe that I've heard her in some Met broadcasts.  Which one of hers do you like?

PD

This is the album I have heard from her on this opera, by Nezet-Sequin.

I have also seen her in a number of things on Met On Demand, including IIRC Rigoletto and a comic piece that also included Joyce DiDonato - it's been some years now, and I have forgotten which opera that was, but the video made me a fan of both ladies. 


BTW, the Serail aria by Christine Schafer (William Christie) was really gorgeous, too.

[NumberSix]

McNair is in the cast of the delightful early 90s Marriner Requiem, which is where I saw her name and got curious about what else she had recorded.

Not gonna lie: I thought her name was cool and was thus inspired to look her up.

[nico1616]

Worth checking out this live performance under Zedda using his own edition.  Remarkably good and can be found dirt cheap on Amazon......

I have this one too, but haven't listened to it lately. At almost 4 hours, you have to take your time for this. I remember Zedda from the Flemish opera where he was the standard Rossini conductor, always conducting without a score.

[Florestan]

This is the album I have heard from her on this opera, by Nezet-Sequin.

I have also seen her in a number of things on Met On Demand, including IIRC Rigoletto and a comic piece that also included Joyce DiDonato - it's been some years now, and I have forgotten which opera that was, but the video made me a fan of both ladies. 


BTW, the Serail aria by Christine Schafer (William Christie) was really gorgeous, too.

Imho, the best Serail is this:



A classic which has never been surpassed.

[NumberSix]

Imho, the best Serail is this:



A classic which has never been surpassed.

Excellent. Will check it out. That one didn't get included in my informal survey this morning. I have seen some Rothenberger on youtube, and I quite liked her.

[Wendell_E]

This is the album I have heard from her on this opera, by Nezet-Sequin.

I have also seen her in a number of things on Met On Demand, including IIRC Rigoletto and a comic piece that also included Joyce DiDonato - it's been some years now, and I have forgotten which opera that was, but the video made me a fan of both ladies. 


BTW, the Serail aria by Christine Schafer (William Christie) was really gorgeous, too.

The comic opera with DiDonato is Rossini's Le Comte Ory.

[NumberSix]

The comic opera with DiDonato is Rossini's Le Comte Ory.

Yes! Thank you 

I forgot also Juan Diego Florez, who I enjoyed very much as well.

[NumberSix]

Rossini's Le Comte Ory

Here's a longer clip. Great acting, gorgeous singing, humor, romance, sex, and fabulous clothes. What's not to love?

[NumberSix]

Mozart X 3
Elsa Dreisig

Stumbled across her on youtube while looking for Cosi videos. She was very good in the performance, attractive and funny and sounding great. So I am checking out some of her albums.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Yes! Thank you 

I forgot also Juan Diego Florez, who I enjoyed very much as well.

I'll have to watch these clips.

Years ago, I saw Juan Diego Florez in the Barber at the Met.  At one point, he jumped (from a standstill) onto the top of a piano!  So much fun and a great performance.   

PD

[NumberSix]

At one point, he jumped (from a standstill) onto the top of a piano!

Whoa, now that's impressive! My knees wouldn't be able to handle even jumping from a piano bench to the floor. 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Rossini's Le Comte Ory

Here's a longer clip. Great acting, gorgeous singing, humor, romance, sex, and fabulous clothes. What's not to love?

Oh, that was hilarious!  I was in stitches.  I'll have to watch the whole opera now.  I'm not familiar with that opera by Rossini.  I see that they made a DVD of it.  I seldom buy DVDs, but I just might make an exception for that one.  The singing by all (at least from that clip) was excellent.  A big fan of all three singers.

PD

p.s.  And you got me at fabulous clothes....what can I say.   

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Whoa, now that's impressive! My knees wouldn't be able to handle even jumping from a piano bench to the floor. 

 

Wonder how long did he have to practice that one?

PD

[NumberSix]

And you got me at fabulous clothes....what can I say.   

I love the bit when they're trying to be naughty with Diana, and they just keep peeling back layer after layer of fabric. 

Joyce is a riot.

[foxandpeng]

Siegfried
Richard Wagner
Sir Georg Solti
Wiener Philharmoniker
Decca

First post in the Opera threads, I think.

Broadly never that interested, but Wagner and all the drama seems somewhat compelling. Giving the Ring Cycle a poke for the first time in years.

It seems appropriate to play this at some volume. It also appears to be very well recorded, as the sound quality is great. Add in the angry sincerity and swords, and I'm enjoying this more than I thought I would.

Forgive my novice remarks...

[DavidW]

No half-measures for you, @foxandpeng

I would have said dip your toes with Bartok's Bluebeard Castle or Martinu's short operas. But no, you had to go for the longest opera ever, the Ring! I mean, it is my favorite, but I admire how you jumped right in!

[foxandpeng]

No half-measures for you, @foxandpeng

I would have said dip your toes with Bartok's Bluebeard Castle or Martinu's short operas. But no, you had to go for the longest opera ever, the Ring! I mean, it is my favorite, but I admire how you jumped right in!

Keeping up with socially acceptable expressions would prevent me from crying out, 'Geronimo!' or 'Banzaiii!', but you got the drift.

In for a penny...

[JBS]

Siegfried
Richard Wagner
Sir Georg Solti
Wiener Philharmoniker
Decca

First post in the Opera threads, I think.

Broadly never that interested, but Wagner and all the drama seems somewhat compelling. Giving the Ring Cycle a poke for the first time in years.

It seems appropriate to play this at some volume. It also appears to be very well recorded, as the sound quality is great. Add in the angry sincerity and swords, and I'm enjoying this more than I thought I would.

Forgive my novice remarks...

And the dragon!

TD
Very much the opposite: concision, farce, unending melody, culminating in (one of) the greatest fugue(s)ever written.