Fri, 29 January 2010
A compilation of material involving tenors. Lots of bizarre stuff amidst some truly exciting singing....but get ready...this podcast is defintely not for purists like me. (71 glorious minutes) |
Wed, 27 January 2010
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Sun, 24 January 2010
I thought it might be fun (and you can use it as a quiz, as long as you turn down the volume when I introduce the selections) to select various files from the zillions I have and make up a pot-pourri for you. If you like the idea, let me know, and in the future I can do others. Featured are: (in order) Paul Schoeffler, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Dmitri Smirnov, Jussi Bjoerling, Franz Voelker, Virginia Zeani, Daniele Barioni, Shirley Verrett, Vassilka Petrova (oi vey!), Maria Callas, Leonard Warren, Anita Cerquetti, Mario del Monaco and Victoria de los Angeles, Jussi Bjoerling and Robert Merrill, and Zinka Milanov. (71 min.) Let me know if you like this idea. as ever Charlie
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Sat, 23 January 2010
Even in "the wrong language" this magnificent 1950 Macbeth from Berlin in 1950 under Joseph Keilberth will thrill you, especially owing to the power and intelligence of Martha Moedl, one of the great divas of opera. |
Fri, 22 January 2010
The happiest of birthdays (Jan.22) to the superb tenor (and lovable guy) Joseph Calleja. Mr.Calleja, who hails from Malta, is fast becoming one of opera's most renowned artists and here are some examples of his great voice: The arias are from: Mme.Butterfly, Adriana Lecouvreur, Don Sebastiano, La Belle Helene, Romeo et Juliette, I Lombardi, and La Traviata. I also must mention that yesterday we celebrated (well, I did, anyway) the birthdays of two other great stars, Placido Domingo and Carlo Handelmaniac(Or is it EGOmaniac?) Now do not shoot me for the following: "Were I the impresario of an opera house years ago, and heard boy soprano Calleja, I would cast him in "Die Frau Ohne Schatten" so we could therefore call him the "Maltese Falcon." With all my best to a great guy! Charlie |
Thu, 21 January 2010
Highlights from Mascagni's "Iriis," a much-neglected work. Featured, from four separate recordings are: Magda Olivero,Clara Petrella, Ilona Tokody, Giuseppe Di Stefano,Placido Domingo, and Giulio Neri. (72 min.) |
Sat, 16 January 2010
These are highlights from the English National Opera 1982 performance (live) of Donizetti's "Maria Stuarda," sung in English under Charles Mackerras. Featured is the phenomenal Dame Janet Baker and as cast that also includes: Rosalind Plowright Elizabetta |
Fri, 15 January 2010
Several great singers sing sings by Francesco Paolo Tosti.In order they are: Mattia Battistini, Augusto Dianni, Tom Burke, Alfred Piccaver, Charles Dalmores, Fernando de Lucia, Giuseppe Anselmi, John McCormack, Richard Tauber, Enrico Caruso, Dusolina Giannnini, Adelina Patti, Emma Eames, Rosa Ponselle, and Luisa Tetrazzini. (57 min.) |
Wed, 13 January 2010
Highlights from two performances of Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro." First we have (in German) the 10/25/38 studio recording under Karl Boehm featuring: Margarete Teschemacher Countess This is followed by a live Salzburg 8/11/37 performance under Bruno Walter with: Aulikki Rautawaara Countess (73 min.) |
Tue, 12 January 2010
Many collectors consider this 1938 Boheme recording as the definitive performance of the work. See what you think as Licia Albanese and Beniamino Gigli thrill us with their magnificent singing. Others in the cast are as follows: Marcello Afro Poli Conducted by Umberto Berretoni (71 min.) |
Tue, 12 January 2010
Next season the Met will feature the 100th anniversary of the great Puccini work, "La fanciulla del West." My opera buddy's dad saw the 1910 premiere with Caruso, Destinn, and Amato. Imagine my friend's frustration when all his dad remembered was that "It was fine!" (He wanted to know exactly what Caruso did with every phrase) This blazing hot Scala performance with Gigliola Frazzoni,Franco Corelli, Tito Gobbi, and Enzo Sordello under Antonino Votto will thrill you (despite a few distorted moments in loud climaxes). ENJOY! |
Mon, 11 January 2010
Hi all, Just a reminder that I have been putting up a great number of magnificent videos from my collection and from Youtube links (see under favorites) on my video site. I know you will appreciate them. http://www.youtube.com/mrfriendofopera My best Charlie
Category:general
-- posted at: 12:36am EDT
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Fri, 8 January 2010
Highlights from a superb performance of Mme.Butterfly from 1996, featuring my beloved Diana Soviero, Richard Leech, Juan Pons, and Wendy White, conducted by Julius Rudel. (69 min.) |
Thu, 7 January 2010
Not too bad a cast for this 1957 Scala Ballo under Gianandrea Gavazzeni, Maria Callas, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Ettore Bastianini, Giulietta Simionato, Eugenia Ratti. (73 min.) WHY was I not born in Milano?????????????? |