Il Barbiere di Siviglia

1983, Philips/Decca

(Thomas Allen, Agnes Baltsa, Francisco Araiza, Domenico Trimarchi, Robert Lloyd, Sally Burgess; Ambrosian Opera Chorus; Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, cond. Neville Marriner)

This rendition of Rossini’s best-loved opera has always been a particular favorite of mine. Sir Neville Marriner conducts a performance full to the brim with elegance and charm. Yes, his reading is moderately paced and restrained compared to the fizzing energy of others (more English than Italian, I suppose), but it still contains

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If there’s one thing I love besides opera, it’s good food. I love it a little too much for my own good, though Weight Watchers has been helping me manage that love. Not only do I have a formidable collection of cookbooks, I’m the only person I know who reads cookbooks just for fun. One of my favorites in my collection Read the rest of this entry »

Marius

As with Valjean and Fantine, it’s easy to assume that the screen portrayal of Marius can’t possibly be equaled. Eddie Redmayne gives a consummate performance that combines romance and tenderness with strength, passion and dignity, not to mention a rich, handsome voice, and has probably made countless Les Mis fans fall in love with a character they once viewed as a boring, stereotypical lover boy. Read the rest of this entry »

As a longtime fan of the musical Les Misérables, sometimes I can hardly believe that a film version finally exists. After twenty-seven years of “maybe someday,” the musical phenomenon finally made its way to the big screen and is now available on DVD and Blu-Ray for all to see again and again. And the film’s influence has become apparent in the looks, details and atmospheres of many a subsequent stage production. Read the rest of this entry »

I own two IPods. One I use most of the year – it’s mostly filled of classic opera recordings. The other one is just for the holiday season. It’s filled with all my favorite Christmas albums. And while they don’t all feature opera stars singing Read the rest of this entry »

Cast

Pamina: Janai Brugger

Tamino: Lawrence Brownlee

The Queen of the Night: Erika Miklósa Read the rest of this entry »

Die Zauberflöte

1991, Decca

(Uwe Heilmann, Ruth Ziesak, Michael Kraus, Sumi Jo, Kurt Moll, Heinz Zednik; Wiener Staatsopernchor; Wiener Philharmoniker, cond. Georg Solti)

This is one of the most popular, easiest-to-find Zauberflötes on the market, and it’s an excellent choice for a neophyte who wants an introduction to the piece. Sir Georg Solti, with more than fifty years of musical experience behind him, leads the Vienna Philharmonic in a masterful performance, blending the brisk, lithe energy of a historically-informed reading with the rich,

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