This Tosca with, mostly minimalist sets and a thrilling tenor, disappoints in the other two principal roles.
Bizet: Carmen [Opernhaus Zurich/Welser-Möst] Blu-ray Review
A minimalist performance of Bizet’s beloved opera Carmen that fails to deliver the passion, heat, and atmosphere that this masterpiece requires.
Rossini: Le Comte Ory [Orchestra La Scintilla/Tang] Blu-ray Review
This is the first performance of Le Comte Ory recorded with a period orchestra, ably led by Maestro Muhai Tang.
Rossini: Otello [Orchestra La Scintilla/Tang] Blu-ray Review
A rarely heard Rossini specialty, we get four good tenors contributing to terrific performance of Rossini’s retelling of the Shakespeare legend.
Gounod: Faust [Metropolitan Opera/Nezet-Seguin] Blu-ray Review
Gounod’s Faust receives serious reconceptualization from Des McAnuff and topflight performances from its lead singers and conductor
Rossini: Matilde di Shabran [Martone/Teatro Comunale di Bologna] Blu-ray Review
The Blu-ray premiere of one of Rossini’s least performed operas gets the star-treatment with luxurious casting and excellent videography.
Verdi: Messa da Requiem [Barenboim/Teatro alla Scala] Blu-ray Review
A towering performance of Verdi’s chorale masterpiece, the only flaw is the “halo” that enfolds maestro Barenboim on occasion and some motion artifact.
Richard Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos [Staatskapelle Dresden] Blu-ray Review
Star soprano Renee Fleming gives us her first Ariadne in this 2012 Baden-Baden production led by top conductor Christian Thielemann. Supported by a strong cast and superb recording properties, this is a great watch if not the definitive performance of this delightful work.
