Rossini Archive
VERDI: Requiem in Memory of Manzoni – World Premiere Recording – Carlo Sabajno – Pristine Audio
Pristine and Mark Obert-Thorn restore the premiere recording of the Verdi Requiem, whose might and majesty resound stylistically.
Editorial for September 2016
Our free drawing for September is the same as last month: another five complete Rossini operas on Blu-ray from Opus Arte: The Italian in Algiers, Il Signor Bruschino, The Silken Ladder, Moses in Egypt and Cyrus in Babylon. (Turns out we have two copies to award readers.) Claudio Scimone and Ewa Poldes are among the performers. The Italian in Algiers is considered one of the funniest operas ever written. Here is a link to the Amazon site where the box set is offered. All you need to do is click on the Register To Win banner on the Home Page and fill out our simple form. The winner we selected for the first of the two Blu-rays of all five Rossini Operas – our drawing for last month and this month – is: Terry Qualman of Sand Springs, OK. Congrats! This month we’ll award another Blu-ray to a reader. EDITORIAL AUDIOPHILE AUDITION began as a local program in San Francisco and then in 1985 as a weekly national radio series hosted by John Sunier, and aired for 13½ years on up to 200 public radio and commercial stations. In September 1998 its web site for program listings was expanded to this […]
ROSSINI: Semiramide (complete opera) – Soloists/Vienna Concert Choir & Radio SO/ Panni – Nightingale Classics (3 CDs)
Gruberova is well worth hearing, even if the whole does not equal the sum of its parts. ROSSINI: Semiramide (complete opera) – Edita Gruberova (Semiramide)/ Bernadette Manca Di Nissa (Arsace)/ Helene Le Corre (Azema)/ Ildebrando D’Arcangelo (Assur)/ Juan Diego Florez (Idreno)/ Julian Konstantinov (Oroe)/ Vienna Concert Choir/ Vienna Radio SO/ Marcello Panni – Nightingale Classics NC207013 (3 CDs), 68:46, 64:43, 73:54 ***1/2: Though Semiramide, based on Voltaire’s tragedy Semiramis, was to be Rossini’s last Italian opera, in fact it represents a return to much of the vocal enthusiasms found in the operas of his youth. After this work he bolted from Italy to Paris, and never really was able to duplicate the greatness of this piece, adorned with scenery in true Baroque style, full choruses and expansive orchestral writing for an equally expansive orchestra. It has always maintained its popularity as one of the best operas in the repertory, and there have been many fine recordings, old and new. This one, a 1998 recording, is fine in many ways. I am especially partial to the Idreno of Juan Diego Florez, who was really singing well—and especially Rossini—at that time, and his artistry found its way onto other Rossini issues too. […]
Alceo Galleria, conductor = in works of R. STRAUSS, WAGNER, DVORAK, TCHAIKOVSKY, RIMSKY-KORSAKOV & ROSSINI – Opus Kura (2 CDs)
Alceo Galliera brings dynamic, lustrous energy to these 1953-1957 recordings with the virtuoso Philharmonia Orch.
“On With the Dance” = J. STRAUSS II: Artist’s Life Waltz, Op. 316; Wine, Women, and Song, Op. 333; CHOPIN (arr. Sargent): Les Sylphides; ROSSINI (arr. Respighi and Sargent): La Boutique Fantasque – Concert Suite; William Tell: Ballet Music: Passo a tre e Coro Tirolese; SCHUBERT: Rosamunde – Ballet Music No. 2 in G Major – Royal Philharmonic Orch./ Royal Opera House Orch., Covent Garden/ Sir Malcolm Sargent – Guild
A program of gracious light music, mostly from the ballet and the world of dance, led by Sir Malcolm Sargent.
![“Heroique – French Opera Arias” [TrackList follows] – Bryan Hymel, tenor/ PKF Prague Philharmonia/ Emmanuel Villaume – Warner Classics](https://www.audaud.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/HeroiqueBryanHymel.jpg)
“Heroique – French Opera Arias” [TrackList follows] – Bryan Hymel, tenor/ PKF Prague Philharmonia/ Emmanuel Villaume – Warner Classics
Listen to this guy—he is the real thing in a repertory that doesn’t suffer fools gladly.
![Pieces of the World: Music for Cello by SCHUBERT, ROSSINI, TCHAIKOVSKY & others [TrackList follows] – Marta Bagratuni – cello and voice, and others. – Blue Griffin](https://www.audaud.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Pieces-of-the-World.jpg)
Pieces of the World: Music for Cello by SCHUBERT, ROSSINI, TCHAIKOVSKY & others [TrackList follows] – Marta Bagratuni – cello and voice, and others. – Blue Griffin
An interesting exploration of the cello repertoire over 300 years and 13 composers.
Pierre Dervaux Conducts = Short works of HEROLD, SUPPER, GLINKA, BRAHMS, WEBER, WAGNER, ROSSINI, NICOLAI, WEBER, DUKAS, ETC. [TrackList follows)- Guild
Make the pleasurable discovery yourself of these resurrected orchestral favorites from the much-overlooked French maestro Pierre Dervaux.
ROSSINI: Le Comte Ory (complete opera) (2014)
A fine rendition of this terrific piece, which suffers only in comparison to the Metropolitan Opera.
RESPIGHI: Brazilian Impressions – Orch. Philharmonique Royal De Liegè/ John Neschling – BIS
Respighi well-played and well-recorded.
![ROSSINI: Complete Overtures • 2 [TrackList follows] – Prague Sinfonia Orch./ Christian Benda – Naxos audio-only Blu-ray](https://www.audaud.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/RosiniOvVol2BLU-SA.jpg)
ROSSINI: Complete Overtures • 2 [TrackList follows] – Prague Sinfonia Orch./ Christian Benda – Naxos audio-only Blu-ray
Second volume of the audio-only Blu-ray series of Rossini Overtures from Naxos.
Beecham in Toronto – Three Previously Unissued Concerts from 1960 = HAYDN, BRAHMS, LALO & MOZART Symphonies, R. STRAUSS, HANDEL, WAGNER, DELIUS, SUPPE, SIBELIUS, MASSENET, ROSSINI – Music&Arts (4 CDs)
The Beecham sojourn into Canada in 1960 proves a joyful ride of great music and witty commentary.
“Opera Breve” = Works of FALLA, TCHAIKOVSKY, DONIZETTI, GLUCK, ROSSINI, R. STRAUSS, GERSHWIN, SAINT-SAENS, HUMPERDINCK, RAFF for violin & piano – Quint & Maisky – Avanti Classic
Violin virtuoso Philippe Quint pays tribute to the personalities and teaches who nurtured his fine talent, here accompanied in appreciative ardor by pianist Lily Maisky.
“L’Harmonium de LEMMENS et de GUILMANT” = GUILMANT: 9 short works; Fourth Sonata Op. 61; LEMMENS: Invocation; Nocturne; Berceuse; Reverie; Walpurgis Night – Joris Verdin, Mustel harmoniums – Gallo“L’Harmonium Francais” – BIZET: 3 pieces; BERLIOZ: Serenade agreste a la Madone; ROSSINI: Prelude religieux; LEFEBURE-WELY: Six Versets in Major and Minor; BOELLMANN: Three Offertories; GUILMANT: Scherzo; Prayer & berceuse; MOUQUET: Suite Symphonique in A-flat Major; MUSTEL: Scenes et Airs de Ballets – Jordis Verdin, Debain & Mustel harmoniums – Ricercar
A now-unusual instrument which was extremely popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
“Variations on America” = ROSSINI: Wm. Tell Overture; DUDLEY BUCK: The Star-spangled Banner Concert Variations; HORATIO PARKER: Revery; IVES: Variations on America; WAGNER: Magic Fire Music; GERSHWIN: Rhapsody in Blue (arr. Rudolf Innig) – MD&G Gold
Ever heard Rhapsody in Blue on a pipe organ? Here‘s your chance!
![ROSSINI: Complete Overtures Vol. 1 [TrackList follows] – Prague Sinfonia Orch. & Philharmonic Choir/ Christian Benda – Naxos (audio-only Blu-ray)](https://www.audaud.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/RossiniOverturesBLU.jpg)
ROSSINI: Complete Overtures Vol. 1 [TrackList follows] – Prague Sinfonia Orch. & Philharmonic Choir/ Christian Benda – Naxos (audio-only Blu-ray)
An unusually lengthy and hi-res collection of 15 exciting Rossini Overtures.
Gino Marinuzzi = ROSSINI: Il Barbiere di Siviglia Overture; La Gazza ladra Overture; L’Assedio di Corinto Overture; BELLINI: Norma Overture; VERDI: I Vespri sciliani Overture; PUCCINI: Manon Lescaut: Intermezzo, Act 3; MASCAGNI: Cavalleria rusticana: Intermezzo; Le Maschere Overture; GIORDANO: Siberia – La Pasqua; PIZZETTI: Fedra; WOLF-FERRARI: Il Campiello: Ritornello Act 3; MARINUZZI: Musiche per I trionfi Sforza & Savoia – Rito Nuziale – Orch. del Teatro alla Scala, Milano/ Gino Marinuzzi – Preiser Records
A conductor-composer of potent abilities, Gino Marinuzzi traverses a series of opera overtures and excerpts that demands a second look at an under-rated talent.
Silke Avenhaus – “Salon Chromatique et Harmonique” = WAGNER: Sonata in A-flat Major for Madame M.W. ; Isoldens Liebestod (arr. Liszt); LISZT: Seven brilliant Variations on a Theme by Rossini; Soirees de Vienne – Caprices After Franz Schubert: Nostalgic Waltz; Li Marinari from Soirees musicales de Rossini; R.W. – Venezia; La lugubre Goldola No. 1; Apres une lecture du Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata; ROSSINI: Une caresse a ma femme; Valse lugubre No. 4 – Silke Avenhaus, piano – BR Klassik
A musical soiree of poignancy and power, embracing Rossini, Liszt, and Wagner in their respective keyboard personae.
ROSSINI: Aureliano in Palmira – Soloists/ London Philharmonic Orch./ Maurizio Benini – Opera Rara (3 CDs)
This rare Rossini opera was his only one with a role for a castrato.
ROSSINI: Sonate a Quattro for two violins, cello & doublebass – Salvatore Accardo/Sylvia Gazeau/Alain Meunier/Franco Petracchi/Bruno Canino – Philips/F.I.M.
A worthwhile upgrading of a classic classical chamber music recording.
ROSSINI: Le Comte Ory (complete opera) (2 DVDs)
Now this is the type of release we like to see from the Met.
“Young Hearts on Fire: Music for Strings by Korngold, Rossini & Mendelssohn” – EnsembleCaméléon – Challenge Classics
Fresh insights into the work of three musical prodigies.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
