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#91

Composers & Music / Re: Manon Manon Manon – Torino...

Last post by Alan Howe - Monday 29 April 2024, 17:19

Mind you, who really knows Massenet's great opera these days? A much subtler score than Puccini's early belter. And what cast could we muster to do it justice? It's only had a handful of decent recordings, the last (and possibly best) back in 2000 with Gheorghiu and Alagna under Pappano. An opera once familiar and with a performing tradition is now cast adrift, virtually unknown except for a few highlights. But then, the performing traditions of much of 19th century opera, whether French, German, Italian or Russian (to name the main ones), have faded with the disappearance of singers trained in those traditions, leaving very few capable of mastering the roles involved. Yes, Bru Zane are doing a sterling job in the French repertoire, mostly with lesser-known works and excellent production values, but are there performances to match the great ones from the past? Historic recordings - and even ones from the days of LPs - suggest otherwise.

#92

Composers & Music / Re: Manon Manon Manon – Torino...

Last post by John Boyer - Monday 29 April 2024, 14:17

That is interesting programming. I am reminded of attending the 2007 Glimmerglass season, when they did four different Orpheuses: Monteverdi, Gluck, Offenbach, and Glass. Of course, none of these are unsung, but I'm glad that Torino managed to work one in.

But they missed an opportunity. Two years before the Orpheus season, Glimmerglass did Massenet's seldom performed Portrait of Manon, his one act sequel to the original. That would have been a good choice for the Manon alignment

#93

Composers & Music / Re: Manon Manon Manon – Torino...

Last post by Wheesht - Monday 29 April 2024, 12:54

It was of course the Auber that triggered my post.

#94

Composers & Music / Re: Manon Manon Manon – Torino...

Last post by Alan Howe - Monday 29 April 2024, 12:53

Only Auber's Manon Lescaut is unsung, of course. Nevertheless this is interesting programming.

#95

Composers & Music / Manon Manon Manon – Torino: Au...

Last post by Wheesht - Monday 29 April 2024, 11:59

For the first time in Italy,Teatro Regio, Torino, presents three productions of Manon operas by three different composers: Auber, Massenet, Puccini in 21 performances in October 2024. 

#96

Recordings & Broadcasts / Re: Reissiger Piano Trios 1 & ...

Last post by eschiss1 - Monday 29 April 2024, 11:12

Yay! (I may have mentioned I'm something of a fan, based on a few of his works, and the prospect of a complete set of his tuneful and crafty trios makes me happy.)

#97

Composers & Music / Re: Hyperion Records sold to U...

Last post by eschiss1 - Monday 29 April 2024, 11:06

Update: subscribers to Amazon Music (and I assume other streaming services) no longer have to also have to subscribe to an additional service to access Hyperion recordings- at least some, those I've checked at any rate, are now available. -Not- complaining.

#98

Recordings & Broadcasts / Reissiger Piano Trios 1 & 4

Last post by Alan Howe - Saturday 27 April 2024, 12:44

...forthcoming from Toccata Classics:
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9623041--carl-gottlieb-reissiger-complete-piano-trios-vol-1

#99

Recordings & Broadcasts / Re: Ethel Smyth opera: Der Wal...

Last post by BerlinExpat - Saturday 27 April 2024, 10:37

The opera will be broadcast on 1 June at 19:05 on Deutschlandfunk Kultur

A recording from 07.04.2024

Ethel Smyth
,,Der Wald", Musikdrama mit einem Prolog und einem Epilog in einem Akt
Libretto: Ethel Smyth

Eine Frau – Hanna Larissa Naujocks, Mezzosopran
Landgraf Rudolf – Samueol Park, Bariton
Jolanthe – Edith Grossman, Mezzosopran
Heinrich – Sangmin Jeon, Tenor
Peter – Erik Rousi, Bass
Röschen – Mariya Taniguchi, Sopran
Ein Hausierer – Zachary Wilson, Bariton
Ein Jäger – Hak-Young Lee, Bariton
Chor der Wuppertaler Bühnen
Sinfonieorchester Wuppertal
Leitung: Patrick Hahn

Given the time allotted for the broadcast I guess Schönberg's Erwartung will be included.
g

#100

Composers & Music / Re: what is this piece?

Last post by Theodore S. - Saturday 27 April 2024, 00:39

At last! It's the charming set of English Folk Dances by Ernest Tomlinson, starting with "Jenny Pluck Pears". now I can sleep easy! 

A bit late, but this is great news! Thank you for finding this piece.