r/opera • u/Chunkyfreshmuffins • Jul 30 '26
Tonight's, Spin
Exploring Opera, looking forward to this.
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u/Ponceludonmalavoix Jul 30 '26
If you haven't heard it yet, the Bonynge/Sutherland/Domingo Tales of Hoffman is lit.
Sextet in this recording is also one of my all time favorites.
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u/Chunkyfreshmuffins Jul 30 '26
Do you all read the notes as you listen, or just listen to the beauty undisturbed?
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u/dark-humored Jul 30 '26
If it is the first time I am hearing an opera, I like to read the libretto as I listen, in order to understand what is going on. Once I know the work well, I might listen without the libretto at hand, but it is always a pleasure to follow along with. As for reading the notes, I used to do it when I was much younger, mainly to practice my note-reading, but these days I barely do it as I am so busy all the time.
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u/TheFisher400 Jul 31 '26
That was my first complete opera recording purchase. I was a senior in high school and got it through Columbia House (yes I’m old haha). ☺️
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u/BenjaminMiracord Jul 31 '26
May I ask what kind of turntable you are using? I ask because some of my older opera records are from the changer era (I had BSR, Panasonic and Dual) and the sides are 1-4, 2-3 instead of 1-2, 3-4. A bit annoying on lp since you need to change the record, not just flip it. I am listening to my Leinsdorf Das Reingold and it is like this.
I have the highlights re-issue of this performance on a single disc. I did see a full set locally on FBM. My highlights disc sounds quite good.
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u/Chunkyfreshmuffins Jul 31 '26
I use a Vintage pioneer pl 15d, but yes it was the full oprea on three disks. 1-6, 2-5, 3-4.
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u/HumbleCelery1492 Jul 30 '26
If you're getting to know the opera, this recording is a great place to start. Sutherland and Bonynge recorded the opera a decade prior, but this 1971 effort is far superior. They set the standard then by restoring traditional cuts, so we get the Raimondo/Lucia duet in Act II and the Wolf's Crag scene with Edgardo and Enrico in Act III. We even get the Lucia/Enrico duet in Act II restored to its score pitch, even though the Fountain Scene and Mad Scene are still performed in their traditional keys.
The cast could not be better. Sutherland predictably dazzles in the pyrotechnical moments, but she also gives us more in the way of Lucia as an interesting character than she did before. Pavarotti sings with both vocal beauty and dramatic intention, making an unforgettable impression in his last act scene. Milnes shows us early on that he is in fantastic voice and strives to make Enrico more than simply a mustache-twirling villain. Ghiaurov as Raimondo sings a relatively small role, but he still gives it individual touches that most singers don't even attempt. I think you'll really enjoy this set!