BaL 23.04.16 - Verdi: Falstaff

[visualnickmos]

I appear to have five recordings. (Toscanini, Rossi, Solti, Karajan and Muti.) Why that is, I'm not at all clear.

Did you have an opera 'splurge' in the 90s when it seemed that HMV, etc, couldn't get them off the shelves and out the door quick enough for some - possibly - unknown reason... that's when and how the bulk of my opera collection materialised.

[vinteuil]

Well, it's a wonderful work - one which merits hearing in multiple performances?

I have Toscanini, Karajan, and J-E Gardiner.

Haven't been in much of a Verdi mood of late, so will be interested in this BAL, which may nudge me to a re-listen...

[martin_opera]

I have in order of preference Karajan #1 (EMI), Davis #1 (RCA), Toscanini, Giulini, Solti, Davis #2, Karajan #2, Abbado and Gardiner. I do enjoy Davis #1 with Bavarian Radio Symphony because (essential in this opera) the whole is greater than the sum. Something Davis was genius at (similar to his Cosi Fan Tutte). It's also promoted Rolando Panerai to Falstaff from Ford and the inflections in his voice are marvellous. Underrated in my view so will be interested to see how it fares.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Rather muted interest in this BaL so far, but remember this one starts at 9.00 a.m.

[visualnickmos]

Rather muted interest in this BaL so far, but remember this one starts at 9.00 a.m.

Thanks for the info. I didn't know that...

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Thanks for the info. I didn't know that...

I'd missed that, too

[visualnickmos]

I think we all know where this BaL is going...... but then, again...

[Flosshilde]

Heavens - only half-way & it's down to just three already.

Ah - I see it started at 9.00, so rather more than half-way.

[mikealdren]

So what did this add to the last review of Falstaff? Why did we bother (and it was another discussion with far too much background noise)

Was Andrew listening? He didn't hear Gobbi but I'm sure I did!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

(and it was another discussion with far too much background noise)

[Barbirollians]

HVK could be named the winner at about ten minutes in .

[pastoralguy]

HVK could be named the winner at about ten minutes in .

At the risk of being howled down, I do wonder if 'Record Review' is really the forum for this discussion of recordings of Shakespeare. Yes, I appreciate that it's recordings but, for me, I want music on Saturday morning.

[peterkin]

At the risk of being howled down, I do wonder if 'Record Review' is really the forum for this discussion of recordings of Shakespeare. Yes, I appreciate that it's recordings but, for me, I want music on Saturday morning.

[gradus]

Some pleasant surprises in this Bal. The baritone Frank ? in Toscanini's recording, what a voice; Fischer Dieskau as Falstaff projecting an operatic sound that I didn't recognise. Not sure that I would have dismissed Giulini's 1980's recording quite so summarily but I suppose it's because I've grown used to his recording.
Unlike others I enjoy the background burble of a live event and Andrew's contribution to the review.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

At the risk of being howled down, I do wonder if 'Record Review' is really the forum for this discussion of recordings of Shakespeare. Yes, I appreciate that it's recordings but, for me, I want music on Saturday morning.

Without wishing to "howl" you down, I disagree; as a one-off on this anniversary, I found it entirely apt and a refreshing change.

And there's no finer Music than Shakespeare's verse.

BUT isn't the BaL Thread the wrong one upon which to post such a discussion?