DVORAK / MOZART / BRITTEN / GOUNOD / VERDI / R. STRAUSS / etc
Renée Fleming - Greatest Moments at the Met Renée Fleming, with Cecilia Bartoli, Susan Graham, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Samuel Ramey, Bryn Terfel & more [ Decca / 2 CD - released 27/Jan/2023 ] This first-ever, specially remastered collection compiles highlights chosen by Renée of her "most magical experiences", captured live on stage in this pinnacle of opera houses. Produced by GRAMMY-winning David Frost, the collection features duets... |
W. A. MOZART
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Die Zauberflote [The Magic Flute] (Complete opera recorded in 1990 with libretto) Samuel Ramey, Cheryl Studer, Kiri te Kanawa, Olaf Bar / Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Neville Marriner [ Philips / 2 CD Box Set - released 20/Jun/1990 ] "This is a strong, clear, forthright account of Die Zaubeilleite, beautifully played and on the whole finely sung, which I think will win many friends." (Gramophone) |
W. A. MOZART
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Don Giovanni (Highlights from the complete opera) William Shimell, Cheryl Studer, Samuel Ramey / Vienna Philharmonic / Riccardo Muti [ EMI Encore / CD - released 22/Feb/2005 ] Combining comedy and drama, Don Giovanni is one of the most well-known and often praised operas ever written. First performed in 1787, it has been appealing to audiences ever since with its multitude of moral, as well as musical themes. |
RICHARD RODGERS / OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II
Rodgers: Carousel Barbara Cook & Samuel Ramey / New 1987 Studio recording [ MCA / CD - released 1/Jun/1987 ] Carousel is the second musical by the team of Richard Rodgers (music) and Oscar Hammerstein II (book and lyrics). The 1945 work was adapted from Ferenc Molnár's 1909 play Liliom, transplanting its Budapest setting to the Maine coastline. |
JULES MASSENET
Massenet: Manon (complete opera recorded in 2007) Gran Teatre del Liceu / Natalie Dessay/ Rolando Villazon / Samuel Ramey / Victor Pablo Perez (cond) [ Virgin Classics DVD / 2 DVD - released 4/Apr/2008 ] G : - "Natalie Dessay and Rolando Villazón bring to their characters the generosity of their commitment...the French soprano Natalie Dessay is poised to succeeding brilliantly her evolution towards the repertoire of lyric sopranos" www.forumopera.com |
GIOACHINO ROSSINI
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Rossini: Il Barbiere Di Siviglia [The Barber of Seville] (Highlights) Hakan Hagegard, Jennifer Larmore, Raul Gimanez, Samuel Ramey / Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, Jesus Lapez-Cobos [ Teldec / CD - released 1/Jul/1994 ] "Barbara Frittoli makes a good showing in her aria and Jennifer Larmore seems sublimely unfazed by the conductor's fast tempi. The voice is always full and warm, the coloratura flawless and the characterization vivid." (MusicWeb July 2004) |
GIOACCHINO ROSSINI
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Rossini: Operas (Includes 'Il barbiere di Siviglia' & 'La Cenerentola') [9 CD set] Hermann Prey, Luigi Alva, Teresa Berganza, Margherita Guglielmi, Agnes Baltsa, Frank Lopardo, Samuel Ramey, Claudio Abbado (cond) [ Deutsche Grammophon Collector's Edition / 9 CD Box Set - released 20/Jun/2012 ] Here - in a single box-set for the first time - are Claudio Abbado's celebrated recordings of four great Rossini comic operas, featuring fine singers and first-rate orchestras and choruses. |
GIOACCHINO ROSSINI
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Rossini: Il Barbiere di Siviglia [The Barber of Seville] (Complete Opera recorded in 1992) Jerry Hadley, Bruno Praticò, Susanne Mentzer, Thomas Hampson, Samuel Ramey / Orchestra della Toscana, Gianluigi Gelmetti [ EMI Classics / 3 CD Box Set - released 10/Dec/1993 ] "..an absolutely complete text (the recent critical edition by Alberto Zedda is used) shorn of the accretions of nearly 200 years, and singers of the calibre of Thomas Hampson and Samuel Ramey." Classical-Music |
ANTON BRUCKNER
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Bruckner: Symphony No. 1 in C minor / Te Deum Jessye Norman, Yvonne Minton, David Rendall, Samuel Ramey / Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Daniel Barenboim [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 20/Jun/1983 ] "..the Chicago Symphony Chorus proves invaluable in their selections, and the soloists are all heard here in their prime." ClassicalNet |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
Booming Bass & Baritone: Best Loved Opera Arias Lado Ataneli (Baritone), Matthias Goerne, (Baritone), Carlo Colombara (Bass), Samuel Ramey (Bass) [ Naxos / CD - released 23/Apr/2021 ] From the jack-of-all-trades, Figaro, to the impotent jester Rigoletto, and from the heroic William Tell to the mischievous Méphistophélès, these larger-than-life characters for baritone and bass represent the grandeur of great music. |
JOSEF HAYDN
Haydn: The Creation (recorded in 1990) Lucia Popp, Francisco Araiza, Samuel Ramey, Olaf Bär & Iris Vermillion Wiener Philharmoniker & Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor, Riccardo Mut [ Arthaus Musik DVD / DVD - released 1/Jul/2010 ] "There is plenty of glamour, and Muti is excitingly dramatic." BBC Music |
GIOACCHINIO ROSSINI
MARBECKS COLLETCABLE: Rossini: L'italiana In Algeri (highlights from the opera] Marilyn Horne, Samuel Ramey, Kathleen Battle / I Solisti Veneti, Claudio Scimone [ Teldec Apex / CD - released 24/Jan/2005 ] "Absolutely enchanting!" - MusicWeb Feb 2005 |
GIOACCHINO ROSSINI
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Rossini: Il Signor Bruschino (Complete opera) Samuel Ramey, Kathleen Battle, Claudio Desderi / English Chamber Orchestra, Ion Marin [ Deusche Grammophon / CD - released 20/Jun/1993 ] "What a cast there is on DG - so expert and experienced they can't fail to bring the score wonderfully to life" (Gramophone) |
MUSSORGSKY
Boris Godunov (Complete Opera recorded in 1994) Anatoly Kocherga, Marjana Lipovsek, Samuel Ramey, Sergei Larin / Rundfunkchor Berlin & Tölzer Knabenchor, Claudio Abbado [ Sony Opera House / 3 CD Box Set - released 1/Apr/2010 ] Release includes a booklet with a three language synopsis [English / French / German], full cast list and detailed track list. |
JOSEF HAYDN
Operas (Armida / L'incontro improvviso / L'infedelta delusa / L'isola disabitata / etc) Elly Ameling, Arleen Auger, Ileana Cotrubas, Jessye Norman, Samuel Ramey, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Frederica von Stade / Antal Dorati (cond) [ Decca / 20 CD Box Set - released 10/May/2012 ] Haydn's operas are still something of a rarity both in the theatre and on record. Antal Dorati's advocacy of Haydn's music during the 1970s resulted in numerous award-winning recordings including his legendary cycle of all the symphonies as well his... |
DONIZETTI
Anna Bolena (complete opera) Joan Sutherland / Samuel Ramey / Susanne Mentzer / Jerry Hadley / Welsh National Opera Chorus & Orchestra / Richard Bonynge [ Decca Classic Opera / 3 CD - released 1/Oct/2006 ] The story of England's King Henry VIII, the demise of his second wife Anne Boleyn, and the rise of her rival Jane Seymour fascinated a wide 19th Century audience. With the opera Anna Bolena Donizetti brought his art to a new height and created what... |
GIOACHINO ROSSINI
Rossini: Maometto Secondo (Complete opera recorded in 1985) June Anderson, Margarita Zimmermann, Ernesto Palacio, Samuel Ramey / Ambrosian Opera Chorus / Philharmonia Orchestra, Claudio Scimone [ Decca Grand Opera / 3 CD - released 20/Jun/2012 ] "... the performance is exemplary in its fidelity to the letter of the score and the style of the composer ... Scimone directs with an acute ear for Rossini's imaginative use of orchestral sonority...the recording is excellent" Gramophone (June 1985) |
HANDEL
Semele (Complete Opera) Kathleen Battle, Marilyn Horne, Samuel Ramey, English Chamber Orch., John Nelson [ Deutsche Grammophon / 3 CD - released 11/Nov/2000 ] Handel's grand opera with the cream of a cast |
W. A. MOZART
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro (Complete Opera with full libretto) Kiri te Kanawa, Lucia Popp, Frederica von Stade, Samuel Ramey, London Philharmonic. Georg Solti [ Decca Records / 3 CD Box Set - released 20/Feb/2010 ] "Samuel Ramey, a firm-toned baritone, makes a virile Figaro, superbly matched to the most enchanting of Susannas on record, Lucia Popp." *** Three Stars. Penguin Stereo Guide |
GIUSEPPE VERDI
Verdi: Macbeth (feature film of the opera recorded in 1987) Leo Nucci / Samuel Ramey / Shirley Verrett / Veriano Luchetti / Teatro Comunale di Bologna / Riccardo Chailly [ Deutsche Grammophon DVD / DVD - released 9/Nov/2007 ] G - "Practically everything has already been said about the quality of Shirley Verrett´s voice: she plays Lady Macbeth magnificently. On the other hand, her partner Leo Nucci, new to the role of Macbeth, seems like a fresh discovery." (Le Figaro) |