Recordings That You Are Considering

[Mirror Image]

Camerata Bern looks distinghuised (see previous comment by Antoine), but in case you are looking for period instruments:



See comments HERE.

Q

What about this one, Que?

[mc ukrneal]

I don't know that disc, but as a matter of fact that ensemble play on modern instruments. They have a quite famous set -originally Archiv, now licensed by Brilliant Classics- with the orchestral works of Jan Dismas Zelenka. I don't know their current members, but -for instance- when they recorded the Zelenka (in the early seventies, I think, rectius: 1973-1979, 5 CDs), Christiane Jaccottet & Heinz Holliger were part of the ensemble.

Thanks for this. It seems to have gotten a good review at Gramophone.  The sound bites seemed ok too.

SonicMan - I found it for $4 at Berkshire. I am undecided, because if I want to get more Geminiani, there are few choices, and I might need to get some of the Naxos series which irritatingly splits the various opuses (is that the plural?) across discs. Meaning, I might duplicate it, in which case why not just get the Naxos to start with? So I figured I'd see if anyone was familiar with it.

[Brian]

opuses (is that the plural?)

The plural is "opera"

[Antoine Marchand]

Meaning, I might duplicate it, in which case why not just get the Naxos to start with? So I figured I'd see if anyone was familiar with it.

I have had two Naxos discs with Geminiani concerti for a long time. IIRC, the Capella Istropolitana made an excellent work there (I mean every concerto had a real individuality) and the sound quality was just superb.     

[Brian]

Mozart / complete sonatas / Lubimov / fortepiano

[Scarpia]

The plural is "opera"

Opus is a singular latin noun.  Opera is a singular italian noun.  The plural of opera is opere.  The plural of latin nouns ending in us usually end in i (cactus->cacti).   

[Opus106]

Opus is a singular latin noun.  Opera is a singular italian noun.  The plural of opera is opere.  The plural of latin nouns ending in us usually end in i (cactus->cacti).

It is perhaps an exception. Cato or any good English dictionary might be able to confirm or refute this. I thought it was common knowledge (at least among those who have heard of Ligeti, anyway) that the plural of opus (when it refers to a musical work) is opera.

[Brian]

Opus is a singular latin noun.  Opera is a singular italian noun.  The plural of opera is opere.  The plural of latin nouns ending in us usually end in i (cactus->cacti).   

If you trust Wikipedia, here's the chart...

[Scarpia]

If you trust Wikipedia, here's the chart...

I know nothing of Latin.  However it is odd that your link says "opus" is a "third declension" noun but it does not match any third declension patterns in the provided link.  (either in singular, plural or irregular).  It does match second declension or fourth declension, which would make the plural opi or opus.  In any case, opus is also an English word with plural opuses.   


Opera is a singular, feminine Italian noun. La opera -> Le opere (singular and plural).

[Brian]

The third declension is a catch-all for irregulars. I've only been taking Latin for two months, but the third declension is a killer (my teacher calls it "the really horrible one") because it has odd stuff like this:

rex -> plural reges
aequor -> plural aequoria
opus -> plural opera

EDIT: Check out "neuter consonant stem." I think that fits opus. nomen -> nomina

[Sergeant Rock]

...the plural of opus (when it refers to a musical work) is opera.

Correct. Or opuses. Both are correct according to Webster's.

Sarge

[George]

Correct. Or opuses. Both are correct according to Webster's.

Sarge

Cool. I am fine with opuses. Easier to remember.

[Antoine Marchand]

Correct. Or opuses. Both are correct according to Webster's.

Sarge

Conclusion: ukrneal was right in the original post, when he supposed that "opuses" was the plural of "opus". He didn't write that word in Italic type; therefore, we must accept he was writing an English word, not a Latin word.   

[kishnevi]

Well, if you want some opuses....

[jlaurson]

Correct. Or opuses. Both are correct according to Webster's.

Sarge

opera, not Opera

[responding to everyone, not just Sarge. 

Because it is printed, it must be correct? Etymologically, only opera is correct; opuses is a concession to popular misuse which--language being a living thing--Webster's eventually adopts. But that's not to suggest that there isn't one actually correct form [depending on whether you definition of correct is democratic or absolutist]. Until recently I didn't even know anyone dare uttered "opuses" in polite company. You certainly didn't have to put it into italics.

But if that's contentious, try the (actual) plural of crocus!

[mc ukrneal]

Conclusion: ukrneal was right in the original post....

Brilliant response! I can feel it going to my head already... 

I had no idea this would be such a controversy, but a fun read even if not quite in the right thread. I had no idea that opera was even a possibility, but what an interesting find!

As to recordings, here's another I was considering. Anyone familiar with it?

[karlhenning]

Etymologically, only opera is correct; opuses is a concession to popular misuse which--language being a living thing--Webster's eventually adopts.

This is true. There does come a time when one tires of trying to out-scream the sea ; )

[Sergeant Rock]

Because it is printed, it must be correct?

No, it's correct because neither Webster's nor American Heritage qualifies opuses (with, for example, "chiefly regional" or "slang"). They simply state either opera or opuses is the plural form.

Etymologically, only opera is correct

Undoubtedly...but that's irrelevant. We aren't speaking Latin. We're speaking English...and the English word opus can be correctly pluralized in two ways...not just the Latin way.

Until recently I didn't even know anyone dare uttered "opuses" in polite company.

Although I knew it was one form of the plural, I've never actually heard (as opposed to seen) opera used that way. But then I readily concede my company is not nearly as polite as yours 

Sarge

[karlhenning]

In matters of language, correct can often prove a moving target.

[karlhenning]

(Now there's a phrase I need to be careful in using around Sarge . . . .)