Opera

The exclusive Chandos artist and award-winning pianist, Louis Lortie continues his critically acclaimed exploration of piano works by Liszt, turning to opera transcriptions, paraphrases and fantasies that with their technical innovation revolutionized...

The death of Dame Joan Sutherland and the subsequent outpourings of affection, not least in these pages, reminded the world that La Stupenda was one of those rare operatic creatures who brought her music to the wider world, touching the hearts and...

The current renaissance in conjunction with the works of Giovanni Simone Mayr is not surprising, but is certainly necessary. With Demetrio, he left to posterity a masterpiece that belongs on the great stages of the world. Mayr's late work is a mixture of...

The Creation is Haydn's masterpiece, based on a lifetime of experience and reflecting the happy confidence of the eighteenth century. Although there are moments that presage the nineteenth century, it has none of the agonizing of the Romantic period...

The collection begins with Coste's light and lively interpretations of Bellini's Norma and Il pirata, followed by Legnani's Cavatina from Ernani by Verdi, a simple piece that makes full use of all facets of the guitar.1. Fantasy on Two Themes from...

The Bavarian-born composer Simon Mayr spent his compositional life in Italy, spreading the influence of Viennese classicism whilst himself being influenced by prevailing Italian models. His cantata Arianna in Nasso (Ariadne on Naxos) was written for the...

The Barber of Seville is Rossini's most popular opera. It's effervescent overture (written originally for another work!) presents a perfect platform for the amusing plot in which the barber, Figaro, stage-manages a romance between Count Almaviva and...

The American Tenors put their unique musical stamp on such tenor favorites as "I Believe," "Amazing Grace" and "It's Now or Never." These remarkable young performers showcase a thrilling and uplifting mix of American favorites from "Johnny Comes Marching...

Susan Foster sings the role of the cruel daughter of the Chinese emperor who demands her suitors correctly answer three riddles, on pain of death, in this Opera Australia production of Puccini's masterpiece. A fabulous production directed and...

Sing along to a selection of some of opera's greatest hits. Warm up your voice with Handel's Sublime 'Lascia Ch'io Pianga', luxuriate in the tuneful ease of Mozart's 'Porgi Amor', and get in touch with your inner hero with Puccini's 'Nessun Dorma'! This...

Siegfried Wagner, the son of Richard Wagner and his second wife Cosima, composed seventeen operas in total, expertly written in a late romantic style derived from the influence of Humperdinck. His subjects are generally drawn fro.1. Act 1. Introduction 2...

She turned married couples into lovers and bestowed happy dreams on the lonely. Some listeners shut their eyes and smiled blissfully.1. Les Filles de Cadix 2. Je Veux Vivre 3. O Mio Babbino Caro 4. Vilja-Lied 5. De Espana Vengo 6. Violetas Imperiales 7...