Bikephan

I would like to purchase some opera DVD's, and I am hoping for some recommendations for particular versions. I would like to pick up some Wagner or Strauss, but if anyone would recommend something else, please jump in.

Thanks

Thomas

cornetguy

The Met has released quite a few of the telecasts on DVD and VHS. Not sure 100% whether these are out there or not

The Ring
Meistersinger
Parsifal
Tristan und Isolde

Strauss

Rosenkavelier
Elektra

Verdi

Don Carlo?
Stiffelo (gorgous trumpet solo in prelude)
Falstaff
Otello

Puccini

Not sure but wouldnt be surprised if

Madama Butterfly
Turondot

are out

The San Fransico Turondot is also quite good.

Mozart

Marriage of Figaro
Cosi fan Tutti
Don Givonni
Magic Flute(also all with the Met)

Know there is quite a bit out there with covent garden and the Vienna State Opera that I would imgine to be pretty good but no direct experience with them.

Also just got Romeo and Juliet from the Bolshoi it is quite good and fasinating to see the piece on stage

Hope this helps

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JJ

Here are some of my favorites:

Wagner
Parsifal, Met/Levine
Der Fliegende Hollaender, Bayreuth/Nelson

The Met's Ring cycle will always have a special place in my heart, since (in my poorer student days) I actually stood through the whole thing on consecutive Saturdays. I haven't bought The Met's Meistersinger yet, but it has gotten outstanding reviews.

Strauss
I haven't bought any Strauss operas on DVD yet, but Kleiber's earlier Rosenkavalier with the Bavarian State Opera has gotten rave reviews. Abbado's VPO Elektra is also supposed to be very good.

Puccini
Turandot - Met/Levine
Tosca - La Scala/Muti
La Boheme - La Scala/Bartoletti
Madama Butterfly - VPO/Karajan

The Karajan Butterfly is a film and has polarized people. I personally don't mind, but it has provoked some fairly extreme reactions.

Verdi
La Traviata - Covent Garden/Solti (Georghiu's debut)
Rigoletto - Covent Garden/Downes (you definitely have to "see" this one ...)
Requiem - BPO/Abbado (not an opera, but fabulously played and conducted)
Otello - La Scala/Muti (The Met's version is also supposed to be very good)
Aida - The Met/Levine (if you like Aida on a grand scale, this probably can't be beat)

Berlioz
Les Troyens - Gardiner

Gershwin
Porgy & Bess - Rattle

JJ

MahlerBrass

I have the MET doing the Ring cycle and Lohengrin, both fantastic DVDs!

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