The mere existence of such works as Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro
is sufficient justification for Western civilization.
- Unattributed,
The Encylopedia Britannica
There is an excellent summer opera in upstate NY, the
Glimmerglass opera.
My favorite operas
Out of the 50+ opera recordings I have, these are some that I like to
listen to on a regular basis.
- Marriage of Figaro, Mozart
- Magic Flute, Mozart
- La Traviata, Verdi
- Three Penny Opera, Weill
- Idomeneo, Mozart
- Macbeth, Verdi
Favorite recordings
I have two recordings that I truly cherish. They are:
- La Traviata, 1964 recording issued by the Gala label. Herbert von
Karajan conducting, Anna Moffo et al singing. This is a live recording. You
hear people knocking over microphones and such, but it is a rather
good live recording. Whenever listening to this recording, I feel I am
right there in the audience. Furthermore, it is just a great performance.
- The Threepenny Opera, Brueckner-Rueggeberger conduction, Lotte
Lenya et al singing. This is a studio recording. The Penguin guide
complained about Lenya's voice but I don't agree. This is a satirical
opera, which I think is supposed to be sung by singers who
traditionally sang in nightclubs and such. I should mention though
that I am a fluent speaker of the german language and that I enjoy
german operas that are sung with a proper accent.