The economics of the recording companies dictate much that is not ideal. Wagner’s operas were not composed as they were in order to permit the extraction of bleeding chunks, even on those occasions when strophic song forms do occur.
Among the recent recordings of Mahler’s Eighth Symphony, Valery Gergiev’s release on the LSO Live label is an excellent addition to the discography of this work.
While not unknown, the songs of Alexander von Zemlinsky (1871-1942) deserve to be heard more frequently.
Recorded on 5 and 6 May 2008 and 17 and 18 January 2009 at the Lisztzentrum (Raiding, Austria), this recent Bridge release makes available the piano-vocal versions of three song cycles by Gustav Mahler, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, Rückert-Lieder, and Kindertotenlieder performed by mezzo-soprano Hermine Haselböck, accompanied by Russell Ryan.
Contraltos rarely achieve the acclaim and renown of sopranos. Assigned few leading roles in opera, they are condemned to playing the villain or the grandmother, or to stealing the castrati’s trousers in en travesti roles.
Following their 2011 Decca recording of Striggio’s Mass in 40 Parts (1566), I Fagiolini continue their quest to unearth lost treasures of the High Renaissance and early Baroque, with this collection of world-premiere recordings, ‘reconstructions’ and ‘reconstitutions’ of music by Giovanni and Andrea Gabrieli, Monteverdi, Palestrina, and their less well-known compatriots Viadana, Barbarino and Soriano.
Eternal Echoes is an album of khazones [Jewish cantorial music] for cantorial soloist, solo violin and a blended instrumental ensemble comprising a small orchestra and the Klezmer Conservatory Band.
Michael Tilson Thomas’s recording of Mahler’s Third Symphony is an outstanding contribution to the composer’s discography.
Oliver Knussen burst into British music with an unprecedented flourish. In 1967, the London Symphony Orchestra premiered Knussen’s First Symphony, with István Kertész scheduled to conduct.
Based on performances given in Summer 2010 at the Lucerne Festival, this recording of Beethoven’s Fidelio is an admirable recording that captures the vitality of the work as conducted by Claudio Abbado.
Stanisław Moniuszko (1819-1872) was one of the most popular composers of his day in Poland, and of the many works he wrote for the stage, two are performed from time to time, Halka (1848) and Strazny dwór [The Haunted Manor] (1865).
The Polish alto Jadwiga Rappé is a familiar voice in various stage and concert works, and the recent release of a selection of songs by Stanisław Moniuszko (1819-1872) is an opportunity to hear her performing artsongs.
Originally released on multiple discs in 1981 this reissue on two CDs is a comprehensive collection of art songs by Italian and French composers from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
An exciting contribution to the discography of this popular opera, the live performance of Richard Strauss’s Salome from the Festspielhaus at Baden-Baden is a compelling DVD.
Released in late 2011, Deutsche Grammophon’s DVD of the new staging of Berg’s Lulu at the Gran Teatro del Liceu, Barcelona is an excellent contribution to the discography of this fascinating opera.
A recent release by the Metropolitan Opera, this two-disc set makes available on DVD the famous performance of Berg’s Lulu that was broadcast on 20 December 1980 as part of the PBS series “Live from the Met.”
The novels of Sinclair Lewis once shot across the American literary skies like comets, alarming and fascinating readers of that era, but their tails didn’t extend far behind them.
Once the province of only the most dedicated opera fanatics, mid-20th century recordings of privately taped live performances have become more widely available.
Flute players in opera orchestra around the world must look forward to the frequent appearances of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, knowing that while the stage spotlight in the mad scene will be on the soprano, the orchestral spotlight will be on their instrument.
Since his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1971, conductor James Levine has come to represent the house’s commitment to artistic excellence — reliable, professional, and immaculately presented.
Monserratt Caballé’s journey to La Scala and the Metropolitan Opera was truly a road of talent, dedication, and will. One of the most beautiful and athletic voices of our generation, declared as Callas’ successor, Caballé dominated both the dramatic spinto and bel canto arenas, transcending the realm of the opera world to influence the popular masses.
Caballe: Beyond Music
TDK DV-DOCMSC [DVD]
Monserratt Caballé's journey to La Scala and the Metropolitan Opera was truly a road of talent, dedication, and will. One of the most beautiful and athletic voices of our generation, declared as Callas' successor, Caballé dominated both the dramatic spinto and bel canto arenas, transcending the realm of the opera world to influence the popular masses.
EuroArts' DVD documentary Caballé: Beyond Music follows Caballé along the singer's path to success. Opening with Caballé entering her childhood conservatory of Barcelona, we witness the very roots that have supported her throughout her career. She talks warmly about memories of her teacher, the endless hours of practice and study, and those rare moments sneaking into the concert hall to sing. Her story is that of Cinderella; growing up in a poor family during post World War II, her family could no longer support her studies until the Betrand family, a wealthy Barcelona family influential in the arts, came to provide for her. On a whim, the family had Caballé sing for Conchita Bodia, a famous Lied singer and prized student of Granados. Bodia became her mentor and teacher, instilling in her a love for the songs of Strauss.
We follow Caballé as she recounts her first audition tour at the age of 23. Though told to go home and have children, Caballé found the strength in her to continue and secure a place in the opera house of Bremin, Germany. There she developed her prize roles of Mimí, Butterfly, and Violetta, and a firm foundation as a house lead singer. Her overnight success is attributed to a quick cover for a pregnant Marilyn Horne singing Lucrezia Borgia at the Met. From there, Caballé moves on to Covent Garden, singing Zeffirelli's Tosca, Norma at Paris Opera, and Semiramade at the Festival Aix-en-Provence.
This documentary delivers video footage of scenes from Adriana Lecouvreur, Tosca, Norma, and a duet with Marilyn Horne from Semiramade. We also hear from established artists and close friends of Caballé, including Claudio Abbado, José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, Renée Fleming, Zubin Mehta, Freddie Mercury, Mstislav Rostopovich, Cheryl Studer, Giuseppe di Stefano and Joan Sutherland. EuroArts also includes footage of live concerts with her daughter, soprano Montserrat Marti, as well as a performance with Freddy Mercury at the opening of the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
It is clear that Caballé was truly one of the top performers of our time. She says, "When a singer truly feels and experiences what the music is all about, the words will automatically ring true." With a voice of angel, executing a pure, spinning piano at the top of her range with endless phrasing, she always aimed to be of service to the composer. Yet, EuroArts is able to take us beyond the performance to find the warm and endearing woman that is Caballé.
Sarah Hoffman