Maria Callas: The Live Recordings CD Review: A 42 Disc Box Set With Rare Gems & Wonderful Remasterings

For years Warner Classics has remastered Maria Callas’ collections for opera lovers, releasing various sets that showcase the art of the legendary soprano. After releasing the complete studio recordings, Warner Classics returns with “Maria Callas: Live Remastered Recordings.” Ther 42-disc box set comes on the heels of the 40th anniversary of La Divina’s death and brings many of the soprano’s signature {…}

Sep 12, 2017

L’Opera CD Review: Jonas Kaufmann’s Latest Album Is Full of Vocal Genius

Can you believe that “L’Opera” is tenor Jonas Kaufmann’s first and only album fully dedicated to French Opera? I had to look at his collection of CDs to make sure that statement wasn’t actually true, but it is. His 2007 album for Decca, “Romantic Arias” is a mix of different music and does include some of the big hits from {…}

Aug 24, 2017

La Favorite DVD Review: Elina Garanca And Matthew Polenzani Are Outstanding In This Deutsche Grammophon Release

Last year the Bayerische Staatsoper opened a new production of Donizetti’s beloved French work “La Favorite.” It was specifically created for Elīna Garanča, who was making her staged role debut after having impressed in the work in a concert performance at the Salzburg Festival alongside Juan Diego Flórez. This time around the company brought along two of her frequent collaborators, Mariusz Kwiecien {…}

Aug 6, 2017

Macbeth DVD Review: Plácido Domingo & Ekaterina Semenchuk Give Revelatory Performances In LA Opera Production

Plácido Domingo has outpaced anyone’s expectations going on to perform more roles than anyone in the history of opera. Moreover, his work as a baritone has also proved to go beyond what all thought was possible. In 2015, Domingo made his debut as Macbeth, a role which is considered among the most difficult in the Verdi baritone canon and triumphed. {…}

Jul 10, 2017

‘Lohengrin’ DVD Review: Anna Netrebko, Evelyn Herlitzius & Piotr Beczala Are Unforgettable In Deutsche Grammophon’s Masterful Release

Last season Anna Netrebko and Piotr Beczala did what most expected was impossible. They performed their first Wagner roles in “Lohengrin.” During the four performances, rumors swirled around that the run had been recorded for DVD. A year later the rumors came to fruition as a DVD was released through Deutsche Grammophon in what is one of the finest “Lohengrin” {…}

Jun 20, 2017

Russian Light Review: Olga Peretyatko Explores The Depths Of Russian Music And Culture In This Immaculate Album

Over the past few years, there has been an emergence of Russian albums recorded by many of today’s greatest divas. Many of the same arias, spanning from Rimsky Korsakov’s gorgeous oriental melodies to Rachmaninov’s lush melodies, havce been recording. It can be very difficult to listen to these pieces over and over unless that interpreter has something new to say. With her fourth {…}

May 5, 2017

‘Grand Opera’ Review: Diana Damrau’s Meyerbeer Album Is An Extraordinary Exploratory Journey

For years Meyerbeer’s music has been ignored or gone into obscurity. In recent years, some of his operas have been able to make resurgences thanks in part to star singers. But even so, the composer, one of the most famous of his time, remains an obscurity in the modern opera world. Now Diana Damrau is finally paying homage to a {…}

Apr 14, 2017

‘Das Lied Von Der Erde’ CD Review: Jonas Kaufmann & Jonathan Nott Breathe New Narrative Life Into Mahler’s Glorious Masterpiece

In the last half century, Gustav Mahler has become arguably the most widely recorded composer in the world of classical music. His music is a deeply personal experience for the truest of Mahlerites, who while open to new interpretations, remain steadfast in their devotion to their all-time favorites. No two recordings of a Mahler work are anywhere close to similar. {…}

Mar 6, 2017

‘Les Pêcheurs de Perles’ DVD Review: Damrau, Polenzani, Kwiecien Shine in Must-Buy Metropolitan Opera Production of Bizet’s Gem

For decades Bizet’s “Les Pêcheurs de Perles” was rarely ever performed. We would hear the famed “Friendship Duet” or get the occasional recording here and there, but seeing a staged performance was a thing of dreams. But now opera lovers can enjoy a live performance of Bizet’s often-ignored work from the comfort of their living rooms. Mind you, the Metropolitan {…}

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