{"title":"VEASEY, Josephine","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"britten-midsummer-night-dream-veasey-vaughan-baker","title":"Britten: A Midsummer Night's Dream - Veasey, Vaughan, Baker, Young, Bryn-Jones, Langdon, Guy; Balkwill.  London, 1966","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf all the great adaptations of Shakespeare in the world of opera (and there are many) \u003cem\u003eA Midsummer Night's Dream\u003c\/em\u003e, in my opinion, is the most successful at replicating the feel of Shakespearean style. Whereas other composers drew inspiration from Shakespeare but ultimately presented it through the lens of the musical zeitgeist, Benjamin Britten seemed more keen on letting the action and text act as a springboard thereby creating a style that, although bearing the signature of Britten, seems to have sprung organically out of the Elizabethan era. This recording is interesting not only for the stellar cast, but also for the fact that it is a rare (possibly singular) performance in which the role of Oberon is played by a woman instead of a countertenor. With a woman's voice you lose a touch of the ethereal quality, but Josephine Veasey's strong mezzo makes up for it by giving the role a gravitas and commanding presence that most countertenors can't muster. The rest of the cast includes Janet Baker as Hermia, Delme Bryn-Jones as Demetrius, Elizabeth Vaughan as Titania and Michael Langdon as Bottom. The sound is very good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10918-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292666052744,"sku":"10918-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098618948,"sku":"MP3 10918-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10918-2front_643ddd4f-5347-4c6c-a98d-e77ec77b71c6.jpg?v=1751037314"},{"product_id":"strauss-rosenkavalier-jurinac-carlyle-veasey-solti","title":"Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier - Jurinac, Veasey, Carlyle, Langdon, Minton, Lewis; Solti.  London, 1966","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSena Jurinac is one of the few sopranos who had the distinction of having performed all three roles in \u003cem\u003eDer Rosenkavalier.\u003c\/em\u003e On this occasion she has the opportunity to essay the Marschallin, not the title role but nonetheless one of the most enigmatic and vivid characters in all of opera. Jurinac's artistry was such that it was easy to forget that she possessed a wonderful instrument because the main focus for her always seemed to be the expression of the text which she delivers with astounding clarity and meaning. Josephine Veasey is an ardent Octavian and Joan Carlyle's lyrical voice is a wonderful contrast to the chirpy Sophies that one hears all to often these days. Georg Solti brings a fluid quality to the score anchored squarely in highlighting the conversational quality of Hofmannsthal's libretto. The sound is good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10920-3\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292665987208,"sku":"10920-3","price":26.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099059204,"sku":"MP3 10920-3","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10920-3front_725284dd-c507-4d0a-9c97-1636eb874243.jpg?v=1751037312"},{"product_id":"verdi-falstaff-evans-angioletti-freni-resnik-alva-shaw-veasey-langdon-giulini-london-1961","title":"Verdi: Falstaff - Evans, Angioletti, Freni, Resnik, Alva, Shaw, Veasey, Langdon; Giulini.  London, 1961","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"two-column-grid\"\u003e\n\u003c!-- Left Column: Title, Composer, Description --\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ch1 class=\"title-header\"\u003eFalstaff\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGiuseppe Verdi (1813–1883)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"section-heading\"\u003eDESCRIPTION\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile a performance of \u003ci\u003eFalstaff\u003c\/i\u003e inevitably hinges on the strength of its ensemble, the title role bears a unique burden: it must balance the grotesque with the grand, the charming with the incorrigible. \u003cb\u003eGeraint Evans\u003c\/b\u003e meets this challenge with disarming assurance, capturing the complexity of the character in both vocal and dramatic terms. The supporting cast proves equally committed, with standout contributions even in the smaller roles. \u003cb\u003eRegina Resnik\u003c\/b\u003e gives Mistress Quickly a bold, assertive presence, her vocal coloration appropriately brassy and spirited.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMirella Freni\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eLuigi Alva\u003c\/b\u003e, portraying Nannetta and Fenton, elevate their roles beyond their typical narrative function, bringing genuine charm and lyrical finesse to their scenes. \u003cb\u003eMariella Angioletti\u003c\/b\u003e as Alice may not reach quite the expressive heights of her colleagues, yet her performance remains commendable and poised. Under \u003cb\u003eCarlo Maria Giulini\u003c\/b\u003e’s direction, the pacing is measured without losing vitality; his interpretation allows Verdi’s textures and dramatic shifts to unfold with clarity. The recorded sound supports the performance effectively.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"mobile-only-hr\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- Right Column: Cast and Details --\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"section-heading\"\u003eCAST\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFalstaff – \u003cstrong\u003eGeraint Evans\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFenton – \u003cstrong\u003eLuigi Alva\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFord – \u003cstrong\u003eJohn Shaw\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDr. Caius – \u003cstrong\u003eJohn Lanigan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBardolfo – \u003cstrong\u003eRobert Bowman\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePistola – \u003cstrong\u003eMichael Langdon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlice Ford – \u003cstrong\u003eMariella Angioletti\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNannetta – \u003cstrong\u003eMirella Freni\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMeg Page – \u003cstrong\u003eJosephine Veasey\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMistress Quickly – \u003cstrong\u003eRegina Resnik\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"section-heading\"\u003eDETAILS\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocation: \u003cstrong\u003eLondon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDate: \u003cstrong\u003e1961\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eConductor: \u003cstrong\u003eCarlo Maria Giulini\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCatalogue Number: \u003cstrong\u003eOD 10914-2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLabel: \u003cstrong\u003eOpera Depot\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNumber of Discs: \u003cstrong\u003e2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn Mono\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292665757832,"sku":"10914-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099096772,"sku":"MP3 10914-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC","offer_id":51281821598017,"sku":"FLAC 10914-2","price":11.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10914-2front.jpg?v=1751037304"},{"product_id":"wagner-gotterdammerung-nilsson-windgassen-frick-stewart-solti","title":"Wagner: Götterdämmerung - Nilsson, Windgassen, Frick, Stewart, Collier, Kraus, Jones, Hunter; Solti.  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London, 1958","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFew singers have been as closely associated with a role as \u003cstrong\u003eBoris Christoff\u003c\/strong\u003e was with Boris Godunov, and listening to this performance, it’s easy to understand why. His portrayal goes far beyond the imposing figure with a pointy beard—his Boris is a deeply complex character, shifting seamlessly from paranoia to remorse, and in the final scene, to unexpected tenderness. It is a masterful interpretation that fully justifies his legendary status in the role.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rest of the cast is equally impressive. \u003cstrong\u003eRegina Resnik\u003c\/strong\u003e delivers a Marina who is both cold-blooded and passionate, bringing striking intensity to the role. \u003cstrong\u003eSir Geraint Evans\u003c\/strong\u003e is another standout as Shchelkalov, lending his part a commanding presence. 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London, 1967","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s remarkable how much great Wagner was emerging from London in the 1960s. Perhaps it was the influence of \u003cstrong\u003eGeorg Solti\u003c\/strong\u003e, or simply an influx of fresh talent, but whatever the reason, audiences were treated to outstanding performances year after year — and this performance is no exception.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cast features a roster of singers woefully underrepresented on recording. \u003cstrong\u003eLudmila Dvořáková\u003c\/strong\u003e is exceptional in the title role. It’s almost baffling how a singer with such a contralto-like vocal color could manage such reliability in the upper register. \u003cstrong\u003eIngrid Bjoner\u003c\/strong\u003e offers a radiant and winsome Sieglinde, beautifully paired with the Siegmund of \u003cstrong\u003eErnst Kozub\u003c\/strong\u003e. Both singers possessed lyrical instruments with a kind of built-in vocal overdrive, making Wagner’s frequent outbursts thrilling without sacrificing the essential lyricism woven into his writing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHerbert Fliether\u003c\/strong\u003e proves himself a Wotan of real substance. While it’s hard to gauge the size of his voice from this recording, the essential vocal qualities of a great Wotan are unmistakably present. He sings with full-bodied tone throughout the evening, never resorting to pushing, even in Wotan’s notoriously punishing final lines — a moment that has defeated more than a few baritones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNEW MASTER:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e-Pitch Corrected. Continuity improved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Mono\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10599-3\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292641509512,"sku":"10599-3","price":26.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099201988,"sku":"MP3 10599-3","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC","offer_id":50262641017153,"sku":"FLAC 10599-4","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10599-3front.jpg?v=1751036762"},{"product_id":"mozart-die-zauberflote-carlyle-lewis-sutherland-hotter-evans-klemperer","title":"Mozart: Die Zauberflöte - Carlyle, Lewis, Evans, Sutherland, Hotter, Kelly; Klemperer.  London, 1962","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI must admit, what initially drew me to this recording was \u003cstrong\u003eJoan Sutherland\u003c\/strong\u003e’s performance as the Queen of the Night. This was a role she avoided during her career, likely because the high F sat just beyond her already extraordinary vocal range. Although both arias are transposed down a half step, she delivers the role with the tonal purity of a great Norma, the agility of a great Lucia, and the ferocity of a great Turandot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat said, as thrilling as it is to hear a magnificent Queen of the Night, two arias do not make an opera, and this performance stands firmly on its own merits beyond star cameos. \u003cstrong\u003eOtto Klemperer\u003c\/strong\u003e, often associated with slow and broad tempi, surprises here with a lively and spirited interpretation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard Lewis\u003c\/strong\u003e brings ardor, grace, and heroism to Tamino, while \u003cstrong\u003eGeraint Evans\u003c\/strong\u003e delivers a charming Papageno, managing to elicit laughs even from a non-German-speaking audience without the aid of subtitles. \u003cstrong\u003eJoan Carlyle\u003c\/strong\u003e is a sweet-voiced and tender Pamina. Though \u003cstrong\u003eDavid Kelly\u003c\/strong\u003e’s Sarastro may not be as booming as some, his mellifluous and attractive tone lends the role a youthful quality that is surprisingly refreshing. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eAnd speaking of cameos, \u003cstrong\u003eHans Hotter\u003c\/strong\u003e makes a brief but memorable appearance as Der Sprecher.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an outstanding performance. The sound quality is good overall, though despite efforts to remove clicks in the final ten minutes of Act I, some imperfections remain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10601-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292641443976,"sku":"10601-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098727108,"sku":"MP3 10601-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/products\/10601-2front.jpg?v=1751036760"},{"product_id":"wagner-das-rheingold-ward-veasey-stolze-neidlinger-robinson-solti","title":"Wagner: Das Rheingold - Ward, Veasey, Stolze, Neidlinger, Robinson; Solti.  London, 1965","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBesides its illustrious maestro, this \u003cem\u003eDas Rheingold\u003c\/em\u003e does not sport the kind of super stars you may have seen gracing the operatic stages of the world during the 60s. 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The sound is fair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10763-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292634595464,"sku":"10763-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099161988,"sku":"MP3 10763-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10763-2front_48d25956-a22a-4415-a6c8-51ae17f9c2af.jpg?v=1751036541"},{"product_id":"wagner-die-walkure-ward-shuard-jones-kozub-veasey-langdon-solti","title":"Wagner: Die Walküre - Shuard, Jones, Kozub, Ward, Veasey, Langdon; Solti.  London, 1965","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll sopranos who sing Brünnhilde generally fair better on one side of the cycle or the other. Amy Shuard's youthful soprano seems more at ease as the \u003cem\u003eWalküre\u003c\/em\u003e Brünnhilde. That is not to say that her voice is lacking in power as exemplified in her lusty hojotohos. David Ward's understated Wotan may lack some of the bravado and presence of others who have sung this role, however, he brings an everyman quality which at times is quite effective highlighting, in particular. Wotan's vulnerability at the end of of the opera very touchingly. A young Gwyneth Jones gets a chance to sink her teeth into Sieglinde, and demonstrates that she is certainly a Brünnhilde in the making. She is joined by Ernst Kozub. It is a shame that this opera star's career seemed to sputter as he is without doubt one of the finest Siegmunds I have ever heard. Solti's conducting is larger than life. The sound is fair to good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10764-4\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292634562696,"sku":"10764-4","price":34.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099213828,"sku":"MP3 10764-4","price":18.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10764-4front.jpg?v=1751036540"},{"product_id":"wagner-gotterdammerung-windgassen-shuard-frick-shaw-veasey-solti","title":"Wagner: Götterdämmerung - Shuard, Windgassen, Frick, Shaw, Veasey; Solti. London, 1965","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough Amy Shuard was a singer whom I have admired for many years, every singer has their limits and occasionally Shuard pushes the limits of her lyric instrument. Still she sings intelligently and highlights Brünnhilde's youth and vulnerability. Accordingly she doesn't play Act II as a vengeful Valkyrie but as scared teenager, and if her voice at times buckles under the pressures of the role it adds to the desperation of the character. Wolfgang Windgassen, on the other hand, seems much more comfortable in the role of Siegfried. Gottlob Frick's Hagen is beyond compare. Pure evil. Georg Solti seems to relish the infinite color and detail of \u003cem\u003eGötterdämmerung\u003c\/em\u003e more than any of the other operas in this cycle and at times ignites the orchestra into a frenzy. The sound is fair to good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10766-4\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292634497160,"sku":"10766-4","price":34.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099223108,"sku":"MP3 10766-4","price":18.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10766-4front.jpg?v=1751036537"},{"product_id":"wagner-ring-excerpts-ward-hotter-shuard-jones-windgassen-frick-kozub-solti","title":"Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen (excerpts) - Shuard, Windgassen, Ward, Hotter, Jones; Solti.  London, 1965","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite the fact that Georg Solti's name has now become forever linked to Wagner's \u003cem\u003eRing Cycle\u003c\/em\u003e, he seems to have conducted only a few complete cycles. His last outing was in 1983 at Bayreuth. Sadly, it became clear that he had lost his insight into Wagner's tetralogy creating an overly-analyzed and mannered performance. In many ways this performance, from 1965, may be his finest recording of the \u003cem\u003eRing\u003c\/em\u003e. Notorious in the studio for insisting on take after take, to the detriment of any kind of freshness, he is forced to rely more on his instincts which prove to be wiser in many ways than his obsession with perfection. The orchestration sounds like a living organism the undulates and breaths with the action on stage. The cast assembled is first rate. Amy Shuard brings a beauty and youthfulness that is rarely associated with Brünnhilde. Wolfgang Windgassen and Gottlob Frick reprise their roles as Siegfried and Hagen, respectively and a young Gwyneth Jones gets to dip her toe into the Wagner pool, delivering a red-hot Sieglinde aided in no small part to the superb Siegmund of Ernst Kozub. This should be a priceless document to anyone who grew up listening to the Solti \u003cem\u003eRing\u003c\/em\u003e. The sound is fair to good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10768-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292634464392,"sku":"10768-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099242500,"sku":"MP3 10768-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10768-2front.jpg?v=1751036536"},{"product_id":"bellini-norma-caballe-vickers-veasey-ferrin-patane","title":"Bellini: Norma - Caballé, Vickers, Veasey, Ferrin; Patanè.  Orange, 1974","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe height of a great artists' powers is a precious thing and can seem all too short even if it lasts upwards of ten years.  Even more exciting is when the stars align on a given night for a singer propelling them beyond the already stratospheric expectations set.  Such was the case for Montserrat Caballé on the evening when this performance of \u003cem\u003eNorma\u003c\/em\u003e took place.  Later in her life she would site it as one of her greatest performances.  Listening to this performance, there can be no doubt why.  I have never heard a singer who had the control over either ends of vocal extremes that Caballé did.  She could alternate singing the most transparent piano with a fortissimo that would be the envy of any Wagnerian singer.  Her excellence was certainly aided in no small part by her wonderful colleagues including the Pollione of Jon Vickers and the Adalgisa of Josephine Veasey.  Vickers brings his signature power and intensity along with an unexpected knack for bel canto singing.  Veasey was more known for Wagner, but nonetheless uses her lush mezzo-soprano to great effect.  The sound is excellent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: The opening of Act II is missing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10769-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292634431624,"sku":"10769-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098603972,"sku":"MP3 10769-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10769-2front.jpg?v=1751036534"},{"product_id":"wagner-der-ring-des-nibelungen-shuard-windgassen-ward-hotter-jones-kozub-solti-london-1965","title":"Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen - Shuard, Windgassen, Ward, Hotter, Jones, Kozub; Solti.  London, 1965","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite the fact that Georg Solti’s name has now become forever linked to Wagner’s \u003cem\u003eRing Cycle\u003c\/em\u003e, he seems to have conducted only a few complete cycles. His last outing was in 1983 at Bayreuth. Sadly it became clear that he had lost his insight into Wagner’s tetrology creating an overly-analyzed and mannered performance. In many ways this performance, from 1965, may be his finest recording of the \u003cem\u003eRing\u003c\/em\u003e. Notorious in the studio for insisting on take after take, to the detriment of any kind of freshness, he is forced to rely more on his instincts which prove to be wiser in many ways than his obsession with perfection. The orchestration sounds like a living organism the undulates and breaths with the action on stage. The cast assembled is first rate. Amy Shuard brings a beauty and youthfulness that is rarely associated with Brünnhilde. Wolfgang Windgassen and Gottlob Frick reprise their roles as Siegfried and Hagen, respectively and a young Gwyneth Jones gets to dip her toe into the Wagner pool, delivering a red-hot Sieglinde aided in no small part to the superb Siegmund of Ernst Kozub. This should be a priceless document to anyone who grew up listening to the Solti \u003cem\u003eRing\u003c\/em\u003e. The sound is fair to good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10767-14\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292634235016,"sku":"10767-14","price":112.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099185988,"sku":"MP3 10767-14","price":59.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10767-14front.jpg?v=1751036527"},{"product_id":"puccini-madama-butterfly-jurinac-craig-walters-veasey-rouleau-balkwill","title":"Puccini: Madama Butterfly - Jurinac, Craig, Walters, Veasey, Rouleau; Balkwill.  London, 1959","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSena Jurinac was a singer who not only sang every type of role imaginable, but also distinguished herself in almost everything she did. And her Butterfly is no exception. She sings with extreme delicacy in Act I only to switch into overdrive in the subsequent acts as Butterfly's situation becomes more dire. She is joined by Charles Craig as Pinkerton. Craig's over-sized tenor voice was not necessarily Italianate by nature, but he nonetheless demonstrates a keen sense of style. Josephine Veasey offers what may be one of the most vocally distinquished Suzukis I have ever heard. The sound is fair to good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10810-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292632989832,"sku":"10810-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098765444,"sku":"MP3 10810-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10810-2front.jpg?v=1751036483"},{"product_id":"wagner-das-rheingold-hotter-boese-holm-kraus-bohme-konwitschny","title":"Wagner: Das Rheingold - Hotter, Boese, Holm, Kraus, Böhme, Höffgen; Konwitschny.  London, 1959","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDas Rheingold\u003c\/em\u003e is the one opera in the \u003cem\u003eRing\u003c\/em\u003e that is truly an ensemble piece. It features many extended scenes with multiple characters delivering exposition that will create the framework for the ensuing evenings. To pull it off it requires a cast of great singing actors and when one is assembled it can create a dramatic experience more akin to a great play than an opera. This performance has just that, headed by the Wotan of Hans Hotter who sings with majesty and sensitivity. Otakar Kraus, a singer whose career centered mostly around Covent Garden, delivers a masterful performance as Alberich favoring a more sympathetic interpretation over the overblown caricature that has become the norm. The sound is very good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10828-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292631220360,"sku":"10828-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099159492,"sku":"MP3 10828-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10828-2front.jpg?v=1751036457"},{"product_id":"wagner-die-walkure-varnay-hotter-shuard-vinay-boese-bohme-konwitschny","title":"Wagner: Die Walküre - Varnay, Hotter, Shuard, Vinay, Boese, Böhme, Konwitschny.  London, 1959","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou wonder if the audience at this performance in 1959 understood that what they were hearing was about as close to perfection as Wagner ever comes. To have all of the main roles cast with singers who would go down in history as some of the finest Wagnerians of their generation seems almost impossible today (not to say that there aren't some very fine Wagnerians out there.) Astrid Varnay is magnificent as Brünnhilde right from her entrance and delivers a nuanced and subtle performance well paired to the dramatic sensitivity of Hans Hotter. The two create one of the most intimate final scenes I have ever heard. As the Wälsungen, we are treated to a young Amy Shuard as Sieglinde and Ramón Vinay as Siegmund. Although Shuard possessed a voice of considerable power, the strength of her singing never came at the expense of beauty and lyricism creating a Sieglinde aligned with the tradition of Lotte Lehmann and Frida Leider. Ramón Vinay was about a year away from transitioning to baritone and you do get the sense that at times navigating the passaggio seems a little more labored than in did in the early 50s. Regardless, the baritonal richness of his voice remains intact and given the lower nature of this role, he manages admirably. The sound is very good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10829-3\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292631187592,"sku":"10829-3","price":26.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099213572,"sku":"MP3 10829-3","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10829-3front.jpg?v=1751036456"},{"product_id":"wagner-gotterdammerung-varnay-windgassen-frick-uhde-kraus-shuard-konwitschny","title":"Wagner: Götterdämmerung - Varnay, Windgassen, Frick, Uhde, Kraus, Shuard; Konwitschny.  London, 1959","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf \u003cem\u003eDas Rheingold\u003c\/em\u003e is a political allegory, \u003cem\u003eDie Walküre\u003c\/em\u003e is a family drama, \u003cem\u003eSiegfried\u003c\/em\u003e a comedy, then \u003cem\u003eGötterdämmerung\u003c\/em\u003e can be broadly characterized as the action film of the group. And if George Bernard Shaw found the whole affair rather tawdry in relationship to the subtlety of the earlier operas, he can easily be overlooked when you assemble a cast like this that is able to ignite the stage in a firestorm of drama and excitement. Astrid Varnay is a force of nature throughout delivering one of the most exciting Act IIs I have ever heard. Wolfgang Windgassen's Siegfried should be well known to Wagner lovers thanks to the Solti and Böhm \u003cem\u003eRings\u003c\/em\u003e. Surprisingly, in 1959 his voice actually had a darker hue than in the 60s. Gottlob Frick's Hagen is terrifying both due to the black color of his voice as well as the everyman quality he brought to the role elevating the character out of mythic proportions to a level that is more readily identifiable in the context of real life. As alluded to in my descriptions of the previous installments, Konwitschny seems to favor broader tempos. This, at times, seems to flummox the singers who often get ahead of his beat. This is particularly true of Windgassen. Perhaps this was due to a lack of rehearsal or perhaps the singers were just being willful. In the end, you wish that they had made more of an effort to go with his vision as the breadth he brings to the score is revelatory. The sound is excellent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10831-4\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292631122056,"sku":"10831-4","price":34.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099222916,"sku":"MP3 10831-4","price":18.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10831-4front.jpg?v=1751036454"},{"product_id":"wagner-der-ring-des-nibelungen-varnay-hotter-windgassen-shuard-vinay-frick-konwitschny-london-1959","title":"Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen - Varnay, Hotter, Windgassen, Shuard, Vinay, Frick; Konwitschny.   London, 1959","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor me, this year has been a big year for \u003cem\u003eThe Ring\u003c\/em\u003e. I have now remastered seven complete cycles. Remarkably, I have found that every time I encounter a new performance it is almost like hearing it for the first time and I am amazed given the formidable obstacles in presenting this work, just how malleable it is and, unlike other works, how there will never truly be a definitive interpretation. Even if there is about an hour differential between the timings of Knappertsbusch and Boulez, both points of view seem to work within the context of the drama and highlight different aspects of the score. Konwitschny’s interpretation is no less interesting as well as unique. In general, he favors slower tempi while maintaining the lyricism of the melodic line. His approach is softer in many ways giving the orchestra a feeling of transparency and lightness throughout. His efforts are buttressed by some phenomenal singing. Astrid Varnay delivers one of the finest performances of Brünnhilde I have ever heard her do. Although she had already been singing Wagner for nearly twenty years, and she would soon retire the hochdramatische roles from her repertoire, she approaches the daunting challenges unflinchingly and misses none of the marks. She is joined by Wolfgang Windgassen as Siegfried. In hearing his performance you really get the sense of what an excellent technician he was. Even if his voice was not truly of the heldentenor ilk, he never pushes it beyond its means maintaining the sweetness of his voice throughout the long evenings. Hans Hotter is captured at the height of both his vocal and interpretive powers. It is hard to envisage what a better Wotan would sound like. The rest of the cast includes Amy Shuard and Ramón Vinay as Siegmund and Sieglinde, respectively, Gottlob Frick as Hagen and Ursula Boese as Fricka. The sound is superb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10832-13\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292631089288,"sku":"10832-13","price":107.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099187460,"sku":"MP3 10832-13","price":55.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10832-13front.jpg?v=1751036452"},{"product_id":"wagner-tannhauser-kassel-norman-veasey-bailey-ridderbusch-davis","title":"Wagner: Tannhäuser - Kassel, Norman, Veasey, Bailey, Ridderbusch; Davis.  London, 1973","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInitially I was drawn to this recording because of the stellar pair of leading ladies in the form of Jessye Norman as Elisabeth and Josephine Veasey as Venus, but the real reason to get this recording has nothing to do with the cast. It is a rare performance that uses the Paris revision. By 1861, \u003cem\u003eTristan und Isolde\u003c\/em\u003e and a good amount of the \u003cem\u003eRing\u003c\/em\u003e were already written and Wagner's composition style had completely veered from the rather conventional forms he embraced in 1843. The harmonies are lusher and the music just seems so much more advanced. It had been his intention to go back and revise the rest of the opera but it never came to pass which is a real pity given how much richer the Venusberg scene is after he revisited it. Norman is sensational as Elisabeth. In the 70′s her voice has all of the richness she would become known for, coupled with a remarkable security in her upper range. Josephine Veasey offers a lush and alluring Venus equally comfortable in the dramatic outbursts as in the delicate lyric singing. Wolfgang Kassel was a last minute replacement in the title roll and he gets the job done admirably (although his somewhat dowdy tone makes it is hard to see why these women would be that taken with him.) Norman Bailey and Karl Ridderbusch are also quite good as Wolfram and Landgraf. The sound is good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10855-3\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292630368392,"sku":"10855-3","price":26.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099254596,"sku":"MP3 10855-3","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10855-3front_9147586b-49ff-45b6-bbb6-6d58db5497ee.jpg?v=1751036422"},{"product_id":"strauss-elektra-lammers-muller-bulow-kraus-evans-kempe","title":"Strauss: Elektra - Lammers, Müller-Bülow, von Milinkovic, Kraus, Evans; Kempe.  London, 1957","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cast of this \u003cem\u003eElektra\u003c\/em\u003e might not immediately grab you, but the singers in the main roles all rise to the formidable challenges of this work and deliver a performance that is both vivid and sizzles. Gerda Lammers voice may sound a little warmed over at times, but she utilizes the hard-edge quality of her voice to very good effect. Despite the lack of vocal glamor she maintains the integrity of her technique throughout the whole evening both in the outbursts and in the more lyrical passages. As Chrysothemis, Hedwig Müller-Bülow's voice lacks the wild quality of Leonie Rysanek and Marie Collier but she sings the role with a sweet lyricism coupled with a top that blooms. Georgine von Milinkovic as Klytämnestra is by far my favorite of the cast. Again the voice is not a show stopper, in itself but she seems relentlessly committed to the drama delivering nuanced German and a fragility that one rarely associates with this role. Rudolf Kempe displays a keen understanding for both the undulating organic quality of the score as well as the Viennese waltzes interspersed throughout. The sound is fair to good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10864-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292630073480,"sku":"10864-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099047812,"sku":"MP3 10864-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10864-2front.jpg?v=1751036412"},{"product_id":"poulenc-dialogues-of-the-carmelites-morison-sutherland-watson-fisher-kubelik","title":"Poulenc: Dialogues of the Carmelites (In English) - Morison, Sutherland, Watson, Fisher, Veasey; Kubelik.  London, 1959","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis performance represents U.K. premiere of Poulenc's \u003cem\u003eDialogues of the Carmelites.\u003c\/em\u003e For the occasion Covent Garden arranged a strong cast of singers young and old, including a young, and still unknown, Joan Sutherland as Mme Lidoine. Poulenc's melodies are miles away from the world of bel canto, but Sutherland nonetheless makes a strong impression. Her voice possesses both an angelic innocence and an imposing command which gives the part of the second prioress vivid life. In the role of Blanche, Elsie Morison brings a lushness of tone and great diction conveying both the character's fears and strength beautifully. It is such a joy to hear Jeanette Sinclair as Sister Constance as her voice has a little more substance to it than the chirpy sopranos who are usually cast in this part. Other stand-outs include Sylvia Fisher as a formidable mother Marie, and Jean Watson as the Old Prioress. Rafael Kubelik does a masterful job of balancing the romanticism and restraint of this mystical opera. The sound is generally pretty good although in the third act just before the final scene there is a stretch of about thirty minutes where the sound is muffled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10892-3\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292629155976,"sku":"10892-3","price":26.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098753668,"sku":"MP3 10892-3","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10892-3front.jpg?v=1751036383"},{"product_id":"wagner-das-rheingold-herbert-von-karajan-dietrich-fischer-dieskau-veasey-stolze-ridderbusch","title":"Wagner: Das Rheingold - Fischer-Dieskau, Veasey, Stolze, Talvela, Ridderbusch, Dominguez; Karajan. Salzburg, 1968","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnyone who treasures the Karajan \u003cem\u003eRing Cycle\u003c\/em\u003e will appreciate this live performance featuring practically everyone in the cast. It is interesting because minus the wizardry of the recording engineers, it provides a more honest accounting of how the artists would fair without the comfort of a close microphone. Surprisingly, they all do remarkably well in particular the Wotan of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. Fischer-Dieskau brings all of his interpretive prowess to the role, and is remarkably credible when pitted against the formidable forces of Wagner's orchestra. Josephine Veasey brings her youthful, shimmering tone to the role of Fricka giving the goddess a well-needed touch of glamor. Gerhard Stolze's Loge may lack the vocal beauty of someone like Wolfgang Windgassen, but he more than makes up for it with the infinitive shading with which he imbues each word, giving the demigod a mercurial sprightliness. Other standouts include Martti Talvela who brings the heart of a poet to Fasolt contrasted by the gruff Fafner of Karl Ridderbusch. Oralia Dominguez is arresting in her brief turn as Erda. Herbert von Karajan finds details in the score that I had never heard before. The sound is pristine!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Stereo\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11018-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292625649800,"sku":"11018-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099159172,"sku":"MP3 11018-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11018-2front.jpg?v=1751036288"},{"product_id":"wagner-der-ring-des-nibelungen-crespin-stewart-dernesch-fischer-dieskau-janowitz-vickers-karajan-salzburg-1967-1970","title":"Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen - Crespin, Stewart, Dernesch, Fischer-Dieskau, Janowitz, Vickers; Karajan.  Salzburg, 1967-1970","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnyone who treasures the Karajan \u003cem\u003eRing Cycle\u003c\/em\u003e will appreciate this live performance featuring practically everyone in the cast. It is interesting because minus the wizardry of the recording engineers, it provides a more honest accounting of how the artists would fair without the comfort of a close microphone. Surprisingly, they all do remarkably well in particular the Wotan of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. Fischer-Dieskau brings all of his interpretive prowess to the role, and is remarkably credible when pitted against the formidable forces of Wagner's orchestra. Josephine Veasey brings her youthful, shimmering tone to the role of Fricka giving the goddess a well-needed touch of glamor. Gerhard Stolze's Loge may lack the vocal beauty of someone like Wolfgang Windgassen, but he more than makes up for it with the infinitive shading with which he imbues each word, giving the demigod a mercurial sprightliness. Other standouts include Martti Talvela who brings the heart of a poet to Fasolt contrasted by the gruff Fafner of Karl Ridderbusch. Oralia Dominguez is arresting in her brief turn as Erda. Herbert von Karajan finds details in the score that I had never heard before. The sound is pristine!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDas Rheingold\u003c\/em\u003e in Stereo\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDie Walküre, Siegfried\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGötterdämmerung\u003c\/em\u003e in Mono\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11020-13\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292625584264,"sku":"11020-13","price":107.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099168580,"sku":"MP3 11020-13","price":55.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11020-13front.jpg?v=1751036285"},{"product_id":"wagner-ring-nibelungen-excerpts-fischer-dieskau-dernesch-thomas-janowitz-vickers-stewart-herbert-von-karajan","title":"Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen (EXCERPTS) - Crespin, Stewart, Dernesch, Fischer-Dieskau; Karajan.  Salzburg, 1967-1970","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cem\u003eRing Cycle\u003c\/em\u003e is an excellent addition for anyone who treasures Herbert von Karajan's studio recording made in the late 60s. Without the aid of the microphones and recording engineers, the singers, many of whom were singing their roles for the first and only time, are put to the true test of whether or not they could stand up to the enormous demands of Wagner's music. Surprisingly, for the most part they all match the quality of performances that they created in the comfort of the studio while also bringing an added level of excitement and energy that cannot be replicated anywhere but in front of a live audience. They are all supported by the sensitive and sympathetic conducting of Herbert von Karajan who never compromises on insisting upon the same the level of transparency that he achieves in the studio recording. Special accolades go to \u003cem\u003eRheingold\u003c\/em\u003e Wotan of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. Fischer-Dieskau's baritone was far from dramatic in nature, but he is actually quite credible as the head god. Régine Crespin brings lush tone and the sensitivity of an art song specialist to the \u003cem\u003eWalküre\u003c\/em\u003e Brünnhilde. Helga Dernesch employs her powerful yet youthful soprano to the subsequent Brünnhildes. Jess Thomas' Siegfried is the one disappointment in the \u003cem\u003eCycle.\u003c\/em\u003e Although there are traces of the lyricism that made him such an effective Parsifal, the wear and tear sustained from a decade of Wagner singing makes for a Siegfried that seems more middle-aged than youthful. I would run out of space if I went on at length on the merits of the rest of the cast so I will just let the glittering assortment speak for itself: Thomas Stewart, Jon Vickers, Gundula Janowitz, Christa Ludwig, Martti Talvela, Karl Ridderbusch, Gerhard Stolze, Catarina Ligendza, Oralia Dominguez, Josephine Veasey, Edda Moser, Reri Grist, etc. The sound is very good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDas Rheingold\u003c\/em\u003e in Stereo\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eDie Walküre, Siegfried\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGötterdämmerung\u003c\/em\u003e in Mono\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11021-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292625387656,"sku":"11021-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099242948,"sku":"MP3 11021-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11021-2front.jpg?v=1751036276"},{"product_id":"wagner-die-walkure-lindholm-mcintyre-cassilly-napier-colin-davis","title":"Wagner: Die Walküre - Lindholm, McIntyre, Napier, Cassilly, Veasey, Sotin; Davis.  London, 1974","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSir Georg Solti’s legendary reign at the Royal Opera House in London became the stuff of legend which unfortunately meant some large shoes for his predecessor to fill upon his departure. That task fell to Sir Colin Davis. The beginning for Davis wasn’t easy particularly when his Wagner conducting was compared with his predecessor. Fortunately, his esteem increased as he grew into the job becoming a beloved figure of the company. It is heartening to see that since his passing he has started to garner the attention that he deserves. Davis brings great attention to the details of Wagner’s orchestration in this performance of \u003cem\u003eDie Walküre\u003c\/em\u003e, but what is abundantly clear was that this man was a singer’s conductor. The pace he sets is just in that comfort zone where the singers have a chance to get the words out at an organic pace giving many of the monologues almost a conversational quality. He is aided by some excellent singing actors. Berit Lindholm as Brünnhilde brings an athletic approach to the role coupled with a sensual smoky soprano. Donald McIntyre’s Wotan lacks a little in suavity but makes up for it in gravitas. It is worth pointing out that in 1974 he was in much fresher voice than when he recorded the set for Phillips in the early 80s. It is nice to hear the lyric sheen of Richard Cassilly’s Siegmund although he probably could have benefited from checking in with a voice teacher as the pitch has a tendency to sag. Marita Napier delivers an impassioned, if somewhat rough, Sieglinde. Josephine Veasey and Hans Sotin sing Fricka and Hunding, respectively, and if that weren’t enough luxury casting for you, the Valkyries include the likes of Pauline Tinsley, Ava June and Heather Begg. The sound is very good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11060-4\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292623749256,"sku":"11060-4","price":34.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099206980,"sku":"MP3 11060-4","price":18.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11060-4front.jpg?v=1751036237"},{"product_id":"wagner-die-meistersinger-von-nurnberg-thomas-hoffmann-shirley-veasey-georg-solti","title":"Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg - Thomas, Hoffmann, Evans, Shirley; Solti. London 1969","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the formula is Georg Solti and Richard Wagner, the results are usually bombast. Not so here, as Solti admirably dials into the comedy of Wagner's most lively work, whipping the forces of the Royal Opera (caught in very good sound for 1969), producing an exciting parade in Act III and a hysterically funny wooing scene in Act II. He is helped by the presence of Sir Geraint Evans, one of the world's greatest Beckmessers, who creates a fussy, spiteful but very three-dimensional demagogue. Comedy is also helped by the gorgeously-sung David of George Shirley, in a real bit of luxury casting. David Ward, Josephine Veasey and George MacPherson turn in finely etched portraits as Pogner, Magdalena and Kothner, and there is a sonorous watchman from Royal Opera regular Eric Garrett. Croatian soprano Božena Ruk-Fočić is a gorgeous Eva, though she is hard-pressed to choose between Jess Thomas' Walther (caught just past his considerable prime and still able to muster an ardent Prize Song) and Hubert Hoffmann's booming, hearty (albeit wooly) Sachs. All in all, an exciting night at the opera and a fine performance of a masterpiece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis performance replaces a previous version and is in superior sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11093-4\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292622241928,"sku":"11093-4","price":34.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099198404,"sku":"MP3 11093-4","price":18.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11093-4front.jpg?v=1751036198"},{"product_id":"wagner-das-rheingold-ring-ward-shirley-tear-veasey-altmeyer-lloyd-goodall","title":"Wagner: Das Rheingold - Ward, Shirley, Veasey, Kelemen; Goodall. London, 1975","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough the rest of this cycle is in the capable hands of Colin Davis, this recording of \u003cem\u003eDas Rheingold\u003c\/em\u003e features the sensitive baton and famously broad tempi of Reginald Goodall. Those familiar with his work will find the attention to detail and the elegant lines they expect, along with a wonderful cast lead by the great David Ward as a fairly sinister Wotan. George Shirley, caught just after his considerable prime, is a hectoring Loge, and Zoltan Kélémen sings a powerful, frightening Alberich. Highlights in the supporting cast include an exemplary pair of giants from Martti Salminen and Robert Lloyd, and a lovely trio of Rhinemaidens lead by the shining voice of Valerie Masterson. NOTE: There are three brief drop-outs in this recording.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBONUS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn interview with Reginald Goodall\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11083-3\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292622078088,"sku":"11083-3","price":26.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099160260,"sku":"MP3 11083-3","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11083-3front.jpg?v=1751036193"},{"product_id":"wagner-der-ring-des-nibelungen-lindholm-cox-ward-mcintyre-veasey-shirley-davis-goodall-london-1974-1976","title":"Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen - Lindholm, Cox, Ward, McIntyre, Veasey, Shirley; Davis, Goodall.  London, 1974-1976","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the memory of Georg Solti’s legendary performances at Covent Garden still fresh in the public’s mind, Sir Colin Davis certainly had some big shoes to fill. In the end, what he produces is an interesting counterargument to Solti’s fiery take on the cycle and, in my opinion, stands up to his predecessor, although in different ways. What struck me most after listening to the whole cycle was the prodigious length (a full 15 discs) which is odd because as I was listening to it it didn’t strike me as being overly slow. This is because Davis manages to slow down the pulse of the music without robbing the line of its musical direction and, in doing so, finds details that would be lost at a quicker tempo. I should point out now that the \u003cem\u003eRheingold\u003c\/em\u003e is conducted by Reginald Goodall. It should come as no surprise that Goodall’s tempi are even more broad than Davis’. Goodall benefits from the superior forces of the Covent Garden orchestra and the overall effect is more satisfying than the E.N.O. recordings he made around the same time. The cast is quite good. Berit Lindholm is a spirited Brünnhilde. The voice may not have had the same access to the top that it had in the 60s, but the color has taken a darker, lusher hue which is a fair trade off. Jean Cox is a virile Siegfried and paces himself through the killer role remarkably. The one drawback is that the overall tone of his voice lacks beauty. On the other hand, Richard Cassilly, as Siegmund, demonstrates what a real heldentenor should sound like (it is a shame that Cassilly never sang Siegfried as he likely would have owned the part.) Donald McIntyre sounds as good as he would ever sound as Wotan (David Ward sings the \u003cem\u003eRheingold\u003c\/em\u003e Wotan). There is no shortage of great singing in any of the smaller parts either including Georges Shirley as Loge, Robert Tear as Froh, Matti Salminen as Fafner, Robert Lloyd as Fasolt, Norma Burrows as the Waldvogel, and Pauline Tinsley, Elizabeth Connell and Patricia Payne as a stellar trio of Norns. The sound is generally very good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11100-15\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292621979784,"sku":"11100-15","price":123.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099174340,"sku":"MP3 11100-15","price":63.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11100-15front.jpg?v=1751036187"},{"product_id":"verdi-la-forza-del-destino-cavalli-bergonzi-shaw-ghiaurov-capecchi-veasey-solti","title":"Verdi: La Forza del Destino - Bergonzi, Cavalli, Shaw, Ghiaurov, Capecchi, Veasey; Solti. London, 1962","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLa Forza del destino\u003c\/em\u003e, one of Verdi's most challenging and complex operas, gets a probing, melancholy reading from Georg Solti. Even during the rambunctious scenes with Preziosilla (a somewhat out-of-place) Josephine Veasey can't hide the despair that runs like a river through this opera. The cast is solid, although the men rather outdo the women. House baritone John Shaw sings very admirably as Carlo without much dramatic intent. Nicolai Ghiaurov lends his reliable gravitas to the Padre and Renato Capecchi leans on the funny rather the nasty side of Melitone. The women fair less well. \"Saucy\" is not a word one usually would use to describe the stage presence of Josephine Veasey, so her Preziosilla is kind of a wash. The Leonora, Floriana Cavalli, is a name unknown to me, and unfortunately her unsteady intonation betrays why. Although she has some lovely top notes, Solti clearly was prepared for an indifferent reaction from the audience and he does not pause for applause after her arias. This has the side effect of allowing Alvaro to become the opera's real central figure, and here Bergonzi does not disappoint. He, unlike pretty much everyone else onstage, is capable of matching the fire Solti rises from the pit, and there is some thrilling vocalism, especially in his duets with Shaw. Sometimes it only takes a great tenor and a great conductor to raise a performance from mediocrity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11112-3\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292621357192,"sku":"11112-3","price":26.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099112388,"sku":"MP3 11112-3","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11112-3front.jpg?v=1751036180"},{"product_id":"wagner-ring-nibelungen-excerpts-lindholm-cox-mcintyre-cassilly-davis-goodall","title":"Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen (excerpts) - Lindholm, Cox, Ward, McIntyre, Veasey; Davis, Goodall.  London, 1974-1976","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the memory of Georg Solti’s legendary performances at Covent Garden still fresh in the public’s mind, Sir Colin Davis certainly had some big shoes to fill. In the end, what he produces is an interesting counterargument to Solti’s fiery take on the cycle and, in my opinion, stands up to his predecessor, although in different ways. What struck me most after listening to the whole cycle was the prodigious length (a full 15 discs) which is odd because as I was listening to it it didn’t strike me as being overly slow. This is because Davis manages to slow down the pulse of the music without robbing the line of its musical direction and, in doing so, finds details that would be lost at a quicker tempo. I should point out now that the Rheingold is conducted by Reginald Goodall. It should come as no surprise that Goodall’s tempi are even more broad than Davis’. Goodall benefits from the superior forces of the Covent Garden orchestra and the overall effect is more satisfying than the E.N.O. recordings he made around the same time. The cast is quite good. Berit Lindholm is a spirited Brünnhilde. The voice may not have had the same access to the top that it had in the 60s, but the color has taken a darker, lusher hue which is a fair trade off. Jean Cox is a virile Siegfried and paces himself through the killer role remarkably. The one drawback is that the overall tone of his voice lacks beauty. On the other hand, Richard Cassilly, as Siegmund, demonstrates what a real heldentenor should sound like (it is a shame that Cassilly never sang Siegfried as he likely would have owned the part.) Donald McIntyre sounds as good as he would ever sound as Wotan (David Ward sings the Rheingold Wotan). The sound is generally very good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11101-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292621160584,"sku":"11101-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099243012,"sku":"MP3 11101-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11101-2front.jpg?v=1751036174"},{"product_id":"wagner-das-rheingold-georg-solti-david-ward-josephine-veasey-kelemen","title":"Wagner: Das Rheingold - Ward, Veasey, Kelemen; Solti. London, 1970","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRecorded in concert in the Royal Albert Hall, this \u003cem\u003eDas Rheingold\u003c\/em\u003e features disappointing sound but an exquisite \u003cem\u003eWeltanschauung\u003c\/em\u003e from \u003cb\u003eGeorg Solti\u003c\/b\u003e. The prelude is truly primordial, the gods sparkle with bombast and Loge's music flits and darts around him. Only a ponderous ascent from Nibelheim mars the structure of this opera, and only the distant sound mars the cast. \u003cb\u003eDavid Ward\u003c\/b\u003e is a dark-hued, effectively diffident Wotan, and \u003cb\u003eJohn Dobson\u003c\/b\u003e uses his limited vocal recourses well as a snide Loge. \u003cb\u003eMartti Talvela\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eMichael Langdon\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eJosephine Veasey\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eAva June\u003c\/b\u003e all contribute enormously in their supporting roles, and there is a bewitching two-thirds of the Rhinemaiden trio (the Floßhilde, Elizabeth Bainbridge, is a bit heavy-handed). Best of all is \u003cb\u003eZoltan Kélémen\u003c\/b\u003e's Alberich, effortlessly showing why he owned this role for about twenty years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Mono\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11187-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292615590024,"sku":"11187-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099158020,"sku":"MP3 11187-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11187-2front.jpg?v=1751036084"},{"product_id":"wagner-die-walkure-valkki-claire-watson-ernst-kozub-forbes-robinson-georg-solti","title":"Wagner: Die Walküre (Excerpts) - Välkki, Robinson, Watson, Kozub; Solti. 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He is heard to brilliant effect in a few brief excerpts from Act I of \u003cem\u003eDie Walküre\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003cb\u003eClaire Watson\u003c\/b\u003e offers a tantalizing glimpse of her \u003cem\u003eSieglinde\u003c\/em\u003e and is particularly radiant during her “O hehrste Wunder” outburst in Act III. The real revelation is the Wotan of \u003cb\u003eForbes Robinson\u003c\/b\u003e. Robinson’s career never really made it past the confines of the English channel, but he managed to make himself indispensable in many bass roles at Covent Garden. My sense was that the tessitura of Wotan could possibly stretch him too far, but he proved me wrong, delivering a Wotan that has a \u003cem\u003eprofundo\u003c\/em\u003e quality as well as complete vocal security. \u003cb\u003eGeorg Solti\u003c\/b\u003e paces the performance well, creating moments that are sensitive and transparent as well as intense and impassioned. 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That said, for those willing to listen past the flaws, a remarkable performance awaits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Mono\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 12025-4\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":47745464664385,"sku":"12025-4","price":34.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":47745464697153,"sku":"MP3 12025-4","price":18.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC","offer_id":47745464729921,"sku":"FLAC 12025-4","price":22.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/products\/12025-4front.jpg?v=1751035134"},{"product_id":"verdi-messa-da-requiem-martina-arroyo-josephine-veasey-placido-domingo-ruggero-raimondi-leonard-bernstein","title":"Verdi: Messa da Requiem - Arroyo, Veasey, Domingo, R. Raimondi; Bernstein. 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