Hidden Gem

Stumbled on this today from the South African soprano Mimi Coertse

Currently Listening to: Haydn String Quartets

Move aside Bach cantatas, Beethoven symphonies, Mozart concertos, Rossini operas, Handel oratorios and Schubert Leider - I’m currently listening to Haydn string quartets.  Yes Haydn wrote a good many of them and although arguably they may not be deep and searching as those of Beethoven they are certainly full of gems.  While the likes of Mozart and Beethoven [...]

Bartoli La sonnambula

New recording of Bellini’s La sonnambula featuring my favourite Mezzo Bartoli will be released next month.  This is the first time a mezzo plays the lead role in this opera and it is meant to be the most complete.  Can’t wait – will this really compete.  Although not direct competition, but will this really beat [...]

Real Face of Mozart?

A new portrait of Mozart has been discovered which certainly gives us a little insight into what the great man may have looked like – said to have been painted within the last 10 years of his life this painting has been authenticated and a significant find.

Noble Cause or Commercial Stunt?

The violinist Tasmin Little nobly made her new album available online to download for free – her intention is get newcomers to classical exposed to a classical album without needing to spending any cash.  Cynics would say that this gives her free publicity, but in this day and age where everything costs money I praise Tasmin for [...]

Behind the Scenes: Jacobs’ Don Giovanni

Heres’ a three part video I found on youtube which gives you a little insight into the recording sessions for Jacobs’ Don Giovanni

Just being a Diva…

“I needed to be by Roberto’s side at this very important moment. I have sung ‘La boheme” hundreds of times, and thought missing a few rehearsals wouldn’t be a tragedy.”  That was Ms. Gheorghiu’s reason for missing one to many rehearsal (this time being a full orchestral rehearsal) before the Lyric Opera Chicago finally lost [...]

Undecided Over Jacobs’ Don

I’ve listened to the whole set now once over and to be perfectly honest I’m still undecided whether this is a keeper or recycle (meaning placed onto ebay).
Heres my initial thoughts: -
The Good
Jacobs’ conducting is delightful
The recitatives has alot of immagination
The Not so Good
Jacobs’ forgets this is a dramatic opera – alot of beauty but nothing [...]

Other Critics Less Excited About Jacob’s Don

Well I got back from HMV Oxford Street today to check out their “up to 70% off” sale.   Found Jacobs’ Cosí for a bargin £22 and saw Jacob’s Don for £24 so I snapped that up.
 Got home thinking I must be holding the Don of all Don’s – played through the overture, which was nicely phrased, [...]

Jacobs’ Don Giovanni wins Gramophone Recording of the Month…!

Well this had to happen – following Jacob’s fine Figaro and superb Cosí, now is the turn of the Don.  Gramophone magazine seems to love this recording, click here to read the short review. 
I loved Jacobs’ Cosí and the Figaro was fine and certainly up there with the best.  I am yet to feast my ears [...]

2008 Penguin Guide Out Soon…!

The newest edition to the most comprehensive guide to recorded classical music is due to be released in a few months – in the US its due to be out end of November, it could be sooner in the UK.  Amazon has this on for pre order.

The last edition was a little disappointing, as the guide [...]

The True Diva…

Maria Callas (December 2, 1923 – September 16, 1977)

On this day thirty years ago,  the great Maria Anna Sofia Cecilia Kalogeropoulou – later shortened to Maria Callas passed away.  Callas lived a life of controversy and even her voice splits opinion on its actual quality.  What is in doubt she was amazing in adding drama [...]

The Spectre of the Rose

 
Here is the late Régine Crespin singing the beautiful “Spectre of the Rose” by Berlioz I found online -truly marvellous stuff…

Tribute to three Great Singers…

Luciano PAVAROTTI (1935-2007)

 Today I want to pay tribute to three great singers who passed away recently – with Pavarotti sadly only passing away last week.
 Who can forget Italia ‘90 when Nessun Dorma became the theme for that year’s football World Cup.  But Pavarotti was so much more than a single aria.  He had a wonderful [...]

Brick n’ Mortar Music

I visited the HMV music store on Oxford Street in London the other other week.  This store supposedly has the largest classical music section in Europe.  Before purchasing online became both easy and acceptable, this store was my nirvana for classical music – well this and mail order.  However, since the birth of Amazon and [...]