Mozart: German Operas

Advantages: A nice relaxing album
Disadvantages: Needs an aquired taste

...1). CD Infomation: (a) - 3 CDS (72 tracks) (b) - Accompanying book (204 pages, commentary and background information in Italian, German, French and English) (c) - Language of opera - Italian (d) - Total running time, 161' 28" 2). Background to the Opera: Don Giovanni was one of Mozarts greatest opears, and as a result is one of the most popularfor all those who have a taste for the delights opera provides. Don Giovanni is all about an Italian Nobleman, Don Giovanni, who is a great womaniser. Consequently, Don Giovanni, has been remarked as a "light-hearted sexual promiscuity". Life for Don Giovanni is fine (a minimum of 6 girls a night!), however, after he rapes Donna Anna, and murders her father (the Commendatore) , after he challenges him to a duel once he discovers Don Giovanni at his game! From that point, Don Giovanni's luck... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great singing and lively performances
Disadvantages: Live recording noises! Quite expensive

...If anyone had told me 4 years ago that I would become a huge opera buff I probably would have laughed in their face! But here I am, spending my money on buying operatic recordings, going to see operas, and singing opera. If you’re looking for an introduction to the world of opera, you won’t find a more perfect introduction than Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro - filled with wonderfully drawn characters and ‘hummable’ Mozart melodies, this was the first opera that really caught my interest and is still my favourite. ---Synopsis--- The opera is set in Spain (but is sung in Italian!) and the action takes place over the course of one day - the wedding day of Figaro and Susanna, both servants to the Count and Countess Almaviva. Unfortunately for the couple, the Count fancies Susanna and, as well as stalling... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Bonney's gorgeous voice; intelligent singing; great selection of songs
Disadvantages: No translations included

..., to the full symphony orchestra used in the operatic arias. The album begins with a selection of early music, including ‘Come again’ by Dowland, ‘Dido’s Lament’ from Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas and ‘Heute noch, lieber vater’ from Bach’s Coffee Cantata. Bonney demonstrates superbly that early music doesn’t have to be lacking in emotion- her Dido is subtly drawn but full of pain and tragedy. The Alleluia from Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate shows an impressive technical flexibility and skill, with Bonney making the scalic coloratura runs sound ridiculously easy (and having sung the piece I can assure you that they are not!). But for me it is in the Mozart operatic arias that Bonney really shines. She has the perfect voice for Mozart opera- light but warm and full of personality. Her ‘... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful