Classic Met Opera Broadcasts From Sony

[Guest]

Anyone sampled any of these yet?

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/27/arts/music/sony-to-release-met-opera-recordings.html

I'm intrigued by the 1968 Walkure, featuring Nilsson/Stewart/Vickers/Ludwig and Rysanek, albeit under a conductor unknown to me.

They can be had very cheaply from the usual sources.

[Chris Newman]

Berislav (sometimes known as Borislav) Klobucar was a very fine Croatian conductor. He specialised in Czech and Hungarian music particularly opera. He regularly conducted Wagner at Bayreuth. I have a lovely "off-air" Bayreuth recording of "Die Meistersinger" with Norman Bailey as Sachs and Tom Hemsley as Beckmesser. It knocks most versions off the shelf. His "Bartered Bride" (in German) is great. He was the conductor of many Fritz Wundelich highlight recordings (need one say more?).

[amateur51]

Berislav (sometimes known as Borislav) Klobucar was a very fine Croatian conductor. He specialised in Czech and Hungarian music particularly opera. He regularly conducted Wagner at Bayreuth. I have a lovely "off-air" Bayreuth recording of "Die Meistersinger" with Norman Bailey as Sachs and Tom Hemsley as Beckmesser. It knocks most versions off the shelf. His "Bartered Bride" (in German) is great. He was the conductor of many Fritz Wundelich highlight recordings (need one say more?).

Thanks for this Chris - I confess that I had never heard of him until Mandryka's post. I shall investigate further with renewed confidence

[martin_opera]

I can say that contrary to the lukewarm review of the Tosca by Kurt Adler in this month's Gramophone it is sensational to my ears. I think that referring to an "obviously nervous" Corelli is unfair - he sings brilliantly and is all you could want from him in this role. Price is stunning and better than on her recording with Von Karajan. MacNeill wouldn't be a first choice for Scarpia - it's a pity that Giuseppe Taddei wasn't singing - but he is commendable and it is a very well sung version. In all I wouldn't hesitate.