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 July 2009
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
La Sonnambula (The Sleepwalker) - Vincenzo Bellini
A classic studio recording, remastered from EMI's original LPs.
Milan La Scala Orchestra, Milan La Scala Chorus, conducted by Antonino Votto, 1957.
Cast: Maria Callas (Amina), Nicola Monti (Elvino), Nicola Zaccaria (Count Rodolfo), Fiorenza Cossotto (Teresa).
Naxos Historical 8.111284-85 (mono)
La bohème (The Bohemians) - Giacomo Puccini
A superb version for Callas lovers, and an excellent performance by Di Stefano.
Milan La Scala Orchestra, Milan La Scala Chorus, conducted by Antonino Votto, 1956.
Cast: Maria Callas (Mimi), Giuseppe Di Stefano (Rodolfo), Anna Moffo (Musetta), Rolando Panerai (Marcello).
Naxos Historical 8.111332-33 (mono)
Turandot - Giacomo Puccini
Callas is superb as the princess in this classic studio recording, remastered from EMI's original LPs.
Milan La Scala Orchestra, Milan La Scala Chorus, conducted by Tullio Serafin, 1957.
Cast: Maria Callas (Princess Turandot), Eugenio Fernandi (Calaf), Dame Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (Liù), Nicola Zaccaria (Timur).
Naxos Historical 8.111334-35 (mono)
Macbeth - Giuseppe Verdi
A good production with adequate singing.
Marchigiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Marchigiana Vincenzo Bellini Lyric Chorus, conducted by Daniele Callegari, 2007.
Cast: Giuseppe Altomare (Macbeth), Olha Zhuravel (Lady Macbeth), Pavel Kudinov (Banquo), Rubens Pelizzari (Macduff).
Naxos DVD 2.110258
The Crucible - Robert Ward
Der Rosenkavalier (The Knight of the Rose) - Richard Strauss
An outstanding live recording from a festival performance at the Münchner Nationaltheater in 1973.
Chor der Bayerischen Staatsoper, Bayerisches Staatsorchester, conducted by Carlos Kleiber, 1973.
Cast: Claire Watson (Die Feldmarschallin), Brigitte Fassbaender (Octavian), Karl Ridderbusch (Baron Ochs), Lucia Popp (Sophie), Benno Kusche (Faninal).
Orfeo 581083
Pelléas et Mélisande (Pelléas and Mélisande) - Claude Debussy
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Vittorio Gui, 1963.
Glyndebourne GFOCD 003-63
Top recording
The most requested recording, as selected by OperaNights users over the past seven days:
Pelléas et Mélisande (Pelléas and Mélisande) - Claude Debussy
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.