A towering performance of Verdi’s chorale masterpiece, the only flaw is the “halo” that enfolds maestro Barenboim on occasion and some motion artifact.
Mozart: Die Zauberflöte [Bregenz Festival] Blu-ray Review
An innovative water-based setting of Mozart’s comic singspiel opera
Rossini: Ciro in Babilonia [Crutchfield/Teatro Communale di Bologna] Blu-ray Review
A strong cast delivers vocal pyrotechnics with sets and effects from the silent movie era in Teatro Communale di Bologna’s Ciro in Babilonia
Puccini: La Fanciulla del West [Morandi/Royal Opera Orchestra] Blu-ray Review
Puccini’s La Fanciulla del West receives interesting staging and strong performances in this Royal Opera Orchestra performance on Blu-ray
From the New World [Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra/Nelsons] Blu-ray Review
Andris Nelsons and his Bavarian Radio Orchestra forces deliver an exciting program with three Blu-ray premieres that precede an absolutely splendid reading of the Dvorak “From the New World” Symphony.
Verdi: Aida [Teatro Regio di Parma/Fogliani] Blu-ray Review
A subpar Aida from Parma undermined by lackluster singing and less than spectacular staging makes for one that even hardcore Verdi fans would do best to avoid.
Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschera [Teatro Regio di Parma] Blu-ray Review
Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera receives a satisfactory if not top flight production from the Teatro Regio di Parma forces under Gianluigi Gelmetti. Strong audio and video recording makes up for some vocal unevenness of the leading lady.
Bruckner: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 7 [Thielemann/Münchner Philharmoniker Orchestra] Blu-ray Review
This generous offering of two popular Bruckner symphonies is well delivered musically by maestro Thielemann and his players. The audio recording on the Bruckner 4 is less than the best, while perfectly acceptable on the Bruckner 7. Still a bargain on most accounts.
Verdi: La Forza del Destino [Teatro Regio di Parma] Blu-ray Review
A disappointing La Forza del Destino from Parma offers few vocal highlights and is rescued by the strong solo performance of baritone Vladimir Stoyanov and sympathetic leadership by maestro Gelmetti.
Verdi: La Traviata [Teatro Regio di Parma] Blu-ray Review
In a field already crowded with excellent Blu-ray Discs of Verdi’s biggest hit, La Traviata, this new one comes in near the bottom. Sub-par singing of its lead soprano is further disadvantaged by boxy and occasionally distorted sound.
