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GIUSEPPE VERDI
Verdi: Don Carlos (Five-act French version) BLU-RAY Roberto Alagna, Karita Mattila, Thomas Hampson / Orchestre de Paris & Chœur du Théâtre du Châtelet, Antonio Pappano (conductor), Luc Bondy (director) [ Warner Classics Blu-ray / Blu-ray Disc - released 3/Feb/2014 ] Boasting an international cast in one of Verdi's most popular operas, Luc Bondy's moving production is the original French version restored to five acts. |
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GIACOMO PUCCINI
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Puccini: La Boheme (Complete opera recorded in 1995) (with complete libretto) Roberto Alagna, Leontina Vaduva, Thomas Hampson, Ruth Ann Swenson / Philharmonia Orchestra, Antonio Pappano [ EMI Classics / 2 CD Box Set - released 18/Aug/2006 ] "Pappano's recording of Boheme is the finest in over 20 years or even longer - sumptuously played and recorded, and characterfully sung by a starry cast. This is a version to stand alongside the classics of the past." Rosette. Penguin Stereo Guide. |
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Romain Leleu; Thomas Leleu
Virtuosi [ La Dolce Volta / CD - released 20/Sep/2024 ] "A trumpet-tuba duo: what an unusual idea! At the height of the pandemic, the brothers Thomas and Romain Leleu came up with the notion of creating a unique ensemble. |
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VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
A Cotswold Romance / The Death of Tintagiles Rosa Mannion / Thomas Randle / London Symphony Orchestra / Richard Hickox [ Chandos / CD - released 1/Aug/2012 ] 'Richard Hickox directs a vivid performance [of A Cotswold Romance] with splendid support from his assembled forces. Although not major works, these are notable additions to the catalogue, and the performances could hardly be better' BBC ***** |
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ADOLPHE ADAM
Giselle (complete ballet recorded in 2014) Royal Ballet / Natalia Osipova, Carlos Acosta, Thomas Whitehead / Boris Gruzin (cond) [ Opus Arte DVD / DVD - released 20/Oct/2014 ] "This new Opus Arte disc now joins [the 2011] Bolshoi version at the very top of the list…indeed, this Royal Ballet performance may well sweep the board as the new Giselle of choice." (MusicWeb) |
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ENGLEBERT HUMPERDINCK
Hansel und Gretel (complete opera recorded in 2008) Royal Opera House, Covent Garden / Angelika Kirchschlager / Diana Damrau / Elizabeth Connell / Thomas Allen / Colin Davis, conductor [ Opus Arte DVD / DVD - released 20/Jan/2012 ] 'Angelika Kirchschlager's tousled, boyish Hänsel and Diana Damrau's Gretel are dramatically convincing and vocally superb, while their parents, excellently sung and played by Elizabeth Connell and Thomas Allen, earn our sympathy as well as our... |
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ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK
Humperdinck: Hansel und Gretel (complete opera recorded in 2008) BLU-RAY Royal Opera House, Covent Garden / Angelika Kirchschlager / Diana Damrau / Elizabeth Connell / Thomas Allen / Colin Davis, conductor [ Opus Arte Blu-Ray / Blu-ray Disc - released 1/Aug/2009 ] "Diana Damrau, a plain-Jane Gretel with awkward pigtails, gets along famously with her brother, dancing, playing, being huffy. They work well off one another and their voices blend beautifully. The Sandman and Dew Fairy are lovely." 10/10 ClassicsTod |
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RICHARD STRAUSS
Salome (complete opera recorded in 2008) Royal Opera House / Nadja Michael, Thomas Moser, Michaela Schuster / Philippe Jordan (cond) [ BBC / Opus Arte DVD / 2 DVD - released 1/Dec/2008 ] "One of the most hotly anticipated, controversial and downright exciting opera productions of this year arrives quickly onto DVD. David McVicar, one of the most in-demand opera directors at work today, produces a visceral, exciting realisation of... |
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W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Cosi fan Tutte (complete opera recorded in 2010) The Royal Opera / Pavol Breslik, Stephane Degout, Thomas Allen, Rebecca Evans / Thomas Hengelbrock (cond) [ Opus Arte DVD / DVD - released 1/Sep/2021 ] "It's a wry take on the opera, Miller emphasising that the plot is not so much about testing the fiancées' faithfulness, but an adventure in self-discovery" Gramophone |
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JACQUES OFFENBACH
Offenbach: Les Contes d'Hoffmann [The Tales of Hoffmann] (compete opera recorded in 2016) The Royal Opera / Vittorio Grigolo, Kate Lindsey, Thomas Hampson, Christine Rice, Sonya Yoncheva / Evelino Pidò (cond) [ Sony Classical DVD / 2 DVD - released 10/Jul/2017 ] "Vittorio Grigolo acts with terrific fervour as both the drunken wreck of the exordia and the ingenuous patsy of the central episodes, making the conflicted character deeply sympathetic if faintly risible." Telegraph |
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JACQUES OFFENBACHI
Offenbach: Les Contes d'Hoffmann [The Tales of Hoffmann] (compete opera recorded in 2016) BLU-RAY The Royal Opera / Vittorio Grigolo, Kate Lindsey, Thomas Hampson, Christine Rice, Sonya Yoncheva / Evelino Pidò (cond) [ Sony Classical Blu-ray / Blu-ray - released 10/Jul/2017 ] "Vittorio Grigolo brought as much colour and vigour to the (title) role as possible, his wonderful freely projected voice growing in size and intensity as the evening progressed." (Spectacular) |
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FREDERICK DELIUS
Delius: 11 Favourites Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham [ Alto / CD - released 20/Feb/2019 ] "Beecham's championship of the Bradford-born master yields a generous treasury, with some contrast (e.g. 'Sleigh Ride') to break the reveries. There may be silkier-sounding recordings, but none so characterful." BBC Music Four Stars |
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EDVARD GRIEG
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Grieg: Peer Gynt / Symphonic Dance No.2 / In Autumn / etc. Ilse Hollweg (soprano) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Beecham Choral Society, Sir Thomas Beecham [ EMI Classics Studio Plus / CD - released 10/Oct/1993 ] "Beecham showed a very special feeling for this score and to hear (these excerpts) under his baton is a uniquely rewarding experience. Ilse Hollweg makes an excellent soloist." Rosette - Penguin Stereo Guide |
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HAYDN / MOZART / BEETHOVEN / BRAHMS / WAGNER / LISZT
Sir Thomas Beecham: BBC Recordings [1954, 1956 & 1959] Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham, with Alexander Young (tenor) [ ICA Classics / 4 CD Box Set - released 5/May/2018 ] This release has been sourced from the Richard Itter archive. The collection is very important for collectors because it has never been released before onto the market. Beecham caught 'live' often showed the mercurial side of his character and no... |
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FREDERICK DELIUS
Delius: Orchestral Works, Vol. 4 (1946-1952) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Thomas Beecham [ Naxos Historical Great Conductors / CD - released 28/Feb/2005 ] "Naxos have put us in their debt by restoring these performances to the catalogue. Strongly recommended." MusicWeb |
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SERGEI PROKOFIEV
Prokofiev: Symphony Nos. 1 & 5 Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Thomas Søndergård [ Linn / CD - released 6/Mar/2020 ] Thomas Søndergård's sophomore album as Music Director marks his first symphonic recording with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Søndergård conducts an all-Prokofiev programme juxtaposing two contrasting symphonies: Symphony No. 1 in D major... |
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Rufus Thomas
The Best Of - The Singles [ Ace Records U.K. / CD ] |
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Rufus Thomas
Can't Get Away From This Dog [ Ace Records U.K. / CD ] |
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Rufus Thomas
The Funkiest Man [ Ace Records U.K. / CD ] |
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Rufus Thomas
That Woman Is Poison! [ Alligator Records / CD ] The funky godfather of R&B delivers his first all-blues album. "A spectacular comeback album...it has soulful, swaggering strut"--ROBERT PALMER, author of DEEP BLUES RUFUS THOMAS, Vocals BRYAN BASSETT & ERNIE LANCASTER, Guitars LUCKY PETERSON,... |