VERDI: Opera Choruses

BEST OF OPERETTA, Vol. 3

BEST OF OPERETTA, Vol. 2

BEST OF OPERA, VOL. 3

Szymanowski: King Roger

This disc received a 1996 Grammy nomination for "Best Opera Recording."

ROSSINI: Arias for Contralto

Classical Music

PURCELL: Dido and Aeneas

Gian Carlo Menotti was sent by his mother from Italy to study at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and achieved nearly immediate success following his schooling: when he was just twenty-two, 'Amelia Goes to the Ball' was performed at the Metropolitan Opera. 'The Consul' followed several years (and operas) later, and was greeted with critical acclaim, both for its musical and dramatic strengths, but for its topical nature. The story of a young family yearning for freedom from oppression had great resonance in 1950.
Menotti writes both words and music for most of his operas, resulting in an extraordinarily well-suited marriage of words and music. His sense for setting the English language--particularly for a non-native speaker--is finely tuned, and his vocal lines are always sensitive to both the notes and the words, rather than the music dragging the text along.
This recording of 'The Consul' comes from a production produced and directed by Menotti at the Spoleto Festival in 1998. The presence of the composer and the keen musical and dramatic aspects of the conductor and performers make this an excellent set.

'Valis' is based on a novel by Philip K. Dick.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

These recordings were made during live stage performances as well as studio sessions at the Opéra de Lille in France.

BIZET: Carmen Suites Nos. 1 and 2 / L'arlesienne Suites Nos.

"The opening and closing choruses of the Ascension oratiorio contain some of Bach’s most irresistible, catchy music, and this chorus and orchestra really give it their all, from the brilliant trumpets and insistent syncopated rhythms to the invigorating choral singing...once you get into this Bethlehem Bach Choir production, it’s impossible not to like it."

-- David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com

This recording received a 1998 "Critic's Choice" award from Gramophone
magazine.

"Very grand... Price is a highly dramatic Carmen, Mirella Freni contributes a most sensitively sung Micaëla, and Corelli sounds glorious..." -- BBC Music Magazine [reviewing the complete version, RCA 39495

"Karajan's RCA version, made in Vienna in 1964, owes much to Leontyne Price's seductive, smoky-toned Carmen... Robert Merrill sings with gloriously firm tone, while Mirella Freni is enchanting as Micaëla." -- The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs & DVDs [2003/4 edition, reviewing RCA 39495]