Opera News articles from April 2001

Opera News archives from April 2001

"SCHUBERT WINTERREISE".(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... Hans Hotter [] "SCHUBERT WINTERREISE" Raucheisen, piano. Texts and translations. Music & Arts CD-1061 Birgit Nilsson was a phenomenon. Her soprano was huge, even virtually from top to bottom, exceptionally bright and clear, produced...

"BBC LEGENDS".(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... Janet Baker [] "BBC LEGENDS" Songs of Haydn, Schumann, Schubert, Wolf, Strauss. Constable, Parsons, Hamburger, pianists. Notes, no texts. Live performances 1968, 1970. BBC Music BBCL 4049-2 (Koch, dist.) This CD of Janet Baker in live...

ARIADNE AUF NAXOS.(broadcast of April 14, 2001)
April 1, 2001... BROADCAST OF APRIL 14, 2001 SPONSORED BY TEXACO OVER THE TEXACO-METROPOLITAN OPERA INTERNATIONAL RADIO NETWORK, 1:30 P.M. Music by Richard Strauss Libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal THE STORY PROLOGUE. In the salon of "the richest man...

LULU.(broadcast of April 21, 2001)
April 1, 2001... BROADCAST OF APRIL 21, 2001 SPONSORED BY TEXACO OVER THE TEXACO-METROPOLITAN OPERA INTERNATIONAL RADIO NETWORK, 12 NOON Music and text by Alban Berg, after the tragedies Erdgeist and Buchse der Pandora by Frank Wedekind Act III edited and...

WHAT TO READ AND HEAR.(opera broadcast books and recordings)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... THE GAMBLER Harlow Robinson's Sergei Prokofiev: A Biography (Viking) has brought welcome relief from the opposing cold-war positions of the Victor Seroff and Israel Nestyev biographies. More compact is Daniel Jaffe's Sergey Prokofiev...

Letter from Italy.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... Given the strength of its musical past and the continuing, if sometimes controversial, celebrity of a number of its conductors and singers, Italy remains strongly associated with opera in the minds of non-Italians. It is, however, no longer...

RUDERS: Tjenerindens Fortaelling.(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... RUDERS: Tjenerindens Fortaelling [] Rorholm, Dahl, Mai-Mai, Fischer, Resmark; Henning-Jensen, Elming Morgny Haugland; Royal Danish Opera Chorus and Orchestra, Schonwandt. Text and translations. Dacapo 8.224165-66 (2) (Naxos, dist.) ...

VIARDOT: Cendrillon.(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... VIARDOT: Cendrillon [] Piau, Rigby Waters, Vidal; Viala, Kelly, Cognet; Members of the Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, Kok (piano and conductor). Text and translation. Opera Rara ORR212 (Harmonia Mundi, dist.) Daughter of Manuel Garcia (Rossini's...

PERSIANI: INES DE CASTRO.(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... PERSIANI: INES DE CASTRO [] Dragoni, Cisman, Houben; Gagliardo, Sempere, Mongiardino, Cescotti; Orchestra Filarmonica Marchigiana, Coro Lirico Marchigiano "Vincenzo Bellini, "Mazzola. Text and translations. Bongiovanni GB 2263/64-2 (Qualiton,...

SAINT-SAENS: Suite Algerienne; La Princesse Jaune.(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... SAINT-SAENS: Suite Algerienne; La Princesse Jaune [] Nocentini; Allemano; Cantemus, Swiss Italian Orchestra, Travis. 1996, 1999. Text and translations. Chandos 9837 No one will mistake Camille Saint-Saens's early, one-act comic opera La...

The King's Consort.(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... The King's Consort [] "VIVALDI SACRED MUSIC -- 6" including Beatus Vir (RV 795), Salve Regina (RV 617), Laudate Dominum (RV 606), In Exitu Israel (RV 604), Nisi Dominus (RV 608). With Gritton, Stutzmann, Summers, Gibson; Chorus of the Kings...

BRITTEN: War Requiem.(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... BRITTEN: War Requiem [] Woytowicz; Pears, Wilbrink; Wandsworth School Boys' Choir, New Philharmonia Chorus and Orchestra, Melos Ensemble, Giulini. 1969. Text and translation. BBC Legends 4046-2 (Koch, dist.) This live recording from London...

"ARIAS".(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... Matthias Goerne [] "ARIAS" by Mozart, Wagner, Schumann, Humperdinck, Strauss, Korngold, Berg. With Roschmann, soprano. Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Honeck. Txts and translations. Decca 289-467-263-2 If there is any justification for...

"MOZART -- HEROINES".(Natalie Dessay, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Louis Langree)(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... Natalie Dessay [] "MOZART -- HEROINES" Arias from Die Zauberflote, Lucio Silla, Zaide, Ascanio in Alba, Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail and Idomeneo. Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Langree. Texts and translations. Virgin Classics 5 45447...

"J. S. BACH CANTATAS AND ARIAS".(Ian Bostridge)(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... Ian Bostridge [] "J. S. BACH CANTATAS AND ARIAS" Europa Galante, Biondi. Texts and translations. Virgin Veritas 45420 2 2 In Bach's Cantata BWV 82, "Ich habe genug," a devastating meditation on mortality, the soloist sums up his wretched...

"LIE DOWN, POOR HEART".(Daniel Taylor, Sylvain Bergeron)(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... Daniel Taylor [] "LIE DOWN, POOR HEART" English lute songs and folk ballads. Bergeron, lute. Texts. Dorian 90287 (Allegro, dist.) Just in time for the cruelest month comes this set of plaintive English songs, performed by countertenor...

"VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: SONGS".(John Mark Ainsley)(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... John Mark Ainsley [] "VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: SONGS" Along the Field, On Wenlock Edge, Merciless Beauty, Ten Blake Songs, and other songs. With Watkins, cello; Hulse, oboe; Brown, piano; the Nash Ensemble. Texts. Hyperion CDA67168 From Hyperion...

MENOTTI: Amelia al Ballo; The Unicorn, the Gorgon and the Manticore.(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... MENOTTI: Amelia al Ballo; The Unicorn, the Gorgon and the Manticore [] Carosio, Amadini, Zanolli, Mazzoni; Prandelli, Panerai, Campi; Orchestra and Chorus of La Scala, Milan, Sanzogno. Text and (poetic) translation (Amelia). Instrumental...

SULLIVAN: Die Piraten (The Pirates of Penzance).(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... SULLIVAN: Die Piraten (The Pirates of Penzance) [] Auger, Modl; Nienstedt, Bahrig, Sandner, Malter; Cologne Radio Orchestra, Marszalek. Notes, no libretto, plus bonus oddities. Gala 100566 (2) The history of Gilbert and Sullivan in German...

"MET LEGENDS: Mirella Freni".(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... Mirella Freni [] "MET LEGENDS: Mirella Freni" Arias by Donizetti, Bellini, Puccini, Verdi, Gounod et al. Ferraris, Votto, other conductors. Texts and translations. MET 239 Two new volumes in the "Met Legends" series highlight two beloved...

"MET LEGENDS: Regine Crespin".(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... Regine Crespin [] "MET LEGENDS: Regine Crespin" Arias and Songs by Wagner, Berlioz, Rossini, Poulenc, Roussel et al. Ackermann, Pretre, other conductors. Texts and translations. MET 240 Two new volumes in the "Met Legends" series highlight...

"BIRGIT NILSSON".(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... Birgit Nilsson [] "BIRGIT NILSSON" Arias by Mozart, Beethoven, Weber, Verdi. Philharmonia Orchestra, Wallberg, Ludwig. Texts and translations. Testament SBT 1200 (Harmonia Mundi, dist.) Birgit Nilsson was a phenomenon. Her soprano was huge,...

"WAGNER ARIAS AND DUETS".(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... Birgit Nilsson and Hans Hotter [] "WAGNER ARIAS AND DUETS" Philharmonia Orchestra, Ludwig. Texts and translations. Testament SBT 1201 (Harmonia Mundi, dist.) Birgit Nilsson was a phenomenon. Her soprano was huge, even virtually from top to...

"LES DIVAS AMERICAINES".(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... Emma Eames, Rosa Ponselle, Geraldine Farrar, et al. [] "LES DIVAS AMERICAINES" Arias and songs by Puccini, Gounod, Tosti, et al. No texts or translations. Malibran-Music CDRG 152 (Qualiton, dist.) The specialists at Malibran-Music have...

"A-Z of Opera".(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... "A-Z of Opera" [] Various artists and conductors. Naxos 8.55037-38 Naxos's "A-Z of Opera" advertises itself as "the ideal companion for exploring the world of opera"; certainly, it's a decent start. The 2 CDs, with their two and a quarter...

From Around the World: NEW YORK CITY.(Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center, New York, New York)(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... The Met's first-ever Doktor Faust by Ferruccio Busoni (seen Jan. 12) was a co-production with the Salzburg Festival, which presented it in 1999. At its center stood Thomas Hampson in the title role, a tour de force for the American baritone....

From Around the World: MILAN.(Teatro alla Scala, Milan, Italy)(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... Director-designer Pier' Alli's new production of La Sonnambula at La Scala (seen Jan. 19) proved most persuasive in bringing the emotional lives of the characters into sharp focus within subtly lit sets that mirrored the dream-like, pastoral...

From Around the World: MOSCOW.(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... Although Dmitri Hvorostovsky has rarely sung in staged performances in Russia since coming to prominence more than a decade ago, he chose Moscow's Novaya Opera for his first-ever Rigoletto, an eagerly awaited event on December 19. Given his...

From Around the World: PARIS.(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... The Opera National officially settled a bedeviling strike just in time to greet the new century with a new production of Die Fledermaus. One could be forgiven for fearing the worst. Never an institution to hide its intellectual credentials, the...

From Around the World: AMSTERDAM.(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... In ideal circumstances, a production is designed for a specific theater. Not only should designs be based upon the space and the technical possibilities (or limitations) of the stage itself, but the production as a whole should conform to the...

From Around the World: WASHINGTON, D.C.(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... A half-century ago, when Gian Carlo Menotti's The Consul opened on Broadway, the after-effects of World War II and the stark reality of police states, freedom fighters, refugees and bureaucratic paperwork were still felt strongly. That so many...

From Around the World: PRAGUE.
April 1, 2001... Opera-rich Prague began the year with "Opera 2001," an ambitious two-month festival/competition in which companies and conservatories throughout the Czech Republic presented guest productions alongside new offerings by the capital's two leading...

From Around the World: CONCERTS AND RECITALS.
April 1, 2001... NEW YORK CITY The Metropolitan Opera celebrated Placido Domingo's sixtieth birthday (Jan. 21) with a gala afternoon of splendid singing, often appropriately Spanish-themed but weirdly death-obsessed. James Levine and the Met Orchestra set...

American Opera.(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... American Opera by Elise K. Kirk University of Illinois Press, 472 pp. $34.95 The press release for Elise K. Kirks new book claims it is a "lively history of one of America's liveliest arts." But the title -- American Opera -- is silent on...

CHANGING FACES.
April 1, 2001... Killer women abound in the final month of the Met's 2000-01 season: Dalila, Abigaille, Azucena jump to mind. Others are perplexing: Emilia Marty in The Makropulos Case, for example. But there are three who are not merely dangerous or...

LETTERS.
April 1, 2001... GIFT TO JOHN ASHCROFT I enjoy Waylon and Willie and the boys just about as much as anyone does. However, to compare this crew's music with opera when debating the merits of the National Endowment of the Arts subsidies is to tread on the...

CORRECTIONS.
April 1, 2001... In "The Casts" [January], Robert Brubaker was listed as a Met debutant when he has in fact appeared in the company's Meistersinger, Peter Grimes and Makropulos Case. The Music Hall at Fair Park, Dallas opened its doors in 1925, not 1936,...

OPERA WATCH.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... 1. JAMES LEVINE gave a January master class as part of the Marilyn Horne Foundation's The Song Continues... 2001, an annual mini-festival presented in association with the Juilliard School. This month, Levine conducts Parsifal, Nabucco, Lulu...

ON THE BEAT.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... The Clintons march in triumph into the Met's Aida; a night to remember with Podles at Carnegie Hall; Millo and Zajick shine at Tucker gala The Metropolitan Opera had two triumphal scenes on January 23: at a performance of Aida, BILL...

SOUND BiTES: Mel Ulrich.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... MEL ULRICH, Fritz in this month's revival of Die Tote Stadt at New York City Opera, first tried singing that character's haunting serenade when he was "all of about twenty. I was studying with Frank Guarrera in Seattle then. He pulled this...

RUSSIAN ROULETTE.(Prokoofiev's The Gambler)
April 1, 2001... IN THE GAMBLER, PROKOFIEV USED UNORTHODOX METHODS TO TRANSFORM DOSTOYEVSKY'S NOVELLA INTO AN OPERA A funny thing happens in the third act of Sergei Prokofiev's The Gambler. In his first and only moment alone onstage, Alexei, the lead...

ROSE OF HELL.(Kundry of Wagner's Parsifal)
April 1, 2001... DAVID J. BAKER LOOKS AT THE CONFLICTING FORCES THAT DRIVE KUNDRY, THE MOST DISTURBING FEMALE CHARACTER WAGNER EVER CREATED The Kundry who bursts into the first scene of Parsifal -- unkempt, weather-beaten, wearing snakeskins -- seems nearly...

Femme du monde.(Natalie Dessay)
April 1, 2001... Natalie Dessay may sing soubrette roles -- but inside, there's dramatic soprano fighting to get out For much of the two days before she opened in a new production of Bellini's La Sonnambula at La Scala, Natalie Dessay sat and cried. In a...

Trill-seeker.(Zerbinetta in Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos)
April 1, 2001... SO YOU THINK ZERBINETTA'S ARIA IS A KILLER? TRY TAKING A LOOK AT ITS ORIGINAL 1912 VERSION When Richard Strauss wrote Zerbinetta's show-stopping "Grossmachtige Prinzessin," he created one of the most glorious -- to say nothing of difficult...

THE MET'S VENERABLE WALTER TAUSSIG HAS HISTORY FOR A MIDDLE NAME.(Interview)
April 1, 2001... Since joining the Metropolitan Opera in 1949, Maestro Walter Taussig has been an invaluable source of musical know-how for the company in his multiple roles of coach, associate conductor and, occasionally, conductor. A beloved figure in the...

PRICEY OR PRICELESS?(stereo prices)
April 1, 2001... What if your passion for music is so strong that only the best sound equipment can make you happy? As long as your finances adequately support your taste, you have no problem. But even adamant perfectionists may balk at sheer profligacy. After...

Design for Singing.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2001... "The singer is the most important thing in opera," says set and costume designer Michael Yeargan, who created the stunning look of director Elijah Moshinsky's Met Ariadne auf Naxos. "As productions get more advanced and complicated, I sometimes...

THE GAMBLER.(broadcast of March 31, 2001)
April 1, 2001... BROADCAST OF MARCH 31, 2001 SPONSORED BY TEXACO OVER THE TEXACO-METROPOLITAN OPERA INTERNATIONAL RADIO NETWORK, 1:30 P.M. Music by Sergei Prokofiev Libretto by the composer, based on Fyodor Dostoyevsky's novella THE STORY ACT I....

PARSIFAL.
April 1, 2001... BROADCAST OF APRIL 7, 2001 SPONSORED BY TEXACO OVER THE TEXACO-METROPOLITAN OPERA INTERNATIONAL RADIO NETWORK, 12 NOON THE STORY ACT I. In a forest near the castle of Monsalvat, Gurnemanz, knight of the Holy Grail, rises with his two...

THE CASTS.(Metropolitan Opera broadcast performances of April 2001)
April 1, 2001... Soprano Olga Guryakova (Pauline), heard earlier this year as Natasha in Paris's War and Peace and in her native Moscow as Rosalinde in Fledermaus, makes her Met debut in The Gambler. She next returns to Moscow as Pauline, then has a June...

Mad Loves:Women and Music in Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann.(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... Mad Loves: Women and Music in Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann by Heather Hadlock Princeton Univ. Press, 165 pp. $29.95 "It is more of a job to interpret the interpretations than to interpret the things, and there are more books about...

The Wagners:The Dramas of a Musical Dynasty.(Brief Article)(Review)
April 1, 2001... The Wagners: The Dramas of a Musical Dynasty by Nike Wagner Trans. by Ewald Osers and Michael Downes Princeton University Press, 384 pp. $29.95 Daughter of Wieland, great-granddaughter of Richard, Nike Wagner has a mind unmistakably cast...

SCREEN TEST.
April 1, 2001... Hollywood movies frequently have featured scenes at the opera house. What were the stars we watched watching? (Note: We've purposely avoided opera-star biographies, such as The Great Caruso, Melba or Interrupted Melody. Answers on page 106.)...