Three classic Callas remasterings
Naxos have just released expertly remastered recordings featuring Maria Callas in three of her greatest roles.
Optimising your iPod for operas
Apple's iPod can be downright confusing when used with classical music. Here's how to set it up for best results with your operas.
Welcome to OperaNights™, a comprehensive guide to operas, opera composers, and the best opera recordings available on CD or DVD, or for download.
Recommendations for February 2010
Cyrano de Bergerac - Franco Alfano
Filmed in Valencia in 2007, Domingo and Radvanovsky repeat the roles they performed at New York's Metropolitan Opera to much acclaim.
Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana, Cor de la Generalitat Valenciana, conducted by Patrick Fournillier, 2007.
Cast: Plácido Domingo (Cyrano), Sondra Radvanovsky (Roxane), Arturo Chacón Cruz (Christian), Rod Gilfry (De Guiche), Itxaro Mentxaka (La Duègne/Sister Marthe).
Naxos 2.110270
Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung) - Richard Wagner
Known as "The Copenhagen Ring", this fresh interpretation with a relatively unknown cast and conductor created a stir because of its originality and emotion. Winner of a 2009 Gramophone Magazine award.
Royal Danish Opera, conducted by Michael Schønwandt, 2006.
Decca 074 3264DH7
Nixon in China - John Adams
Recorded live in Denver in 2008, this is a superb production, well recorded.
Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Opera Colorado Chorus, conducted by Marin Alsop, 2008.
Cast: Chen-Ye Yuan (Chou en-Lai), Robert Orth (Richard Nixon), Thomas Hammons (Henry Kissinger), Melissa Malde (First Secretary to Mao).
Naxos 8.669022-24
Dido and Aeneas - Henry Purcell
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Royal Opera Extra Chorus, conducted by Christopher Hogwood.
Cast: Sarah Connolly (Dido), Lucas Meachem (Aeneas), Lucy Crowe (Belinda).
Opus Arte OA 1018D
Benvenuto Cellini - Hector Berlioz
An imaginative modern production from the 2007 Salzburg Festival, with an outstanding performance by Maija Kovalevska as Teresa.
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna State Opera Chorus Konzertvereinigung, conducted by Valery Gergiev, 2007.
Cast: Burkhard Fritz (Benvenuto Cellini), Brindley Sherratt (Balducci), Laurent Naouri (Fieramosca), Maija Kovalevska (Teresa), Kate Aldrich (Ascanio).
Naxos 2.110271
Bluebeard's Castle - Béla Bartók
Recorded live at the Barbican Hall, London, in 2009, this is a superb recording.
London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Valery Gergiev, 2009.
Cast: Willard White (Bluebeard), Elena Zhidkova (Judith).
LSO Live LSO 0685
Salome - Richard Strauss
A welcome reissue of this superb Peter Hall production at Covent Garden, featuring Maria Ewing giving a totally convincing performance the title role.
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Orchestra, conducted by Sir Edward Downes, 1992.
Cast: Maria Ewing (Salome), Michael Devlin (Jokanaan), Kenneth Riegel (Herod), Gillian Knight (Herodias).
Opus Arte OA R3108 D
The Tempest - Thomas Adès
Recorded at the acclaimed revival of the opera at Covent Garden in 2007.
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Chorus, Royal Opera House Covent Garden Orchestra, conducted by Thomas Adès, 2007.
Cast: Simon Keenleyside (Prospero), Kate Royal (Miranda), Ian Bostridge (Caliban), Cynthia Sieden (Ariel), Philip Langridge (King Alonso of Naples).
EMI 695 234-2
Top recording
The most requested recording, as selected by OperaNights users over the past seven days:
Khovanshchina (The Khovansky Affair) - Modest Mussorgsky
Neglected operas
A selection of operas that we feel have been unfairly neglected, and deserve reevaluation.
Oedipe (Oedipus) - George Enescu
Król Roger (King Roger) - Karol Szymanowski
A major new studio recording of Madama Butterfly
A major new studio recording of Madama Butterfly has just been launched, featuring the electric combination of Angela Gheorghiu and Jonas Kaufmann.