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The store in my area actually got those 4 new complete operas in the Living Stereo series. Has anyone heard them yet and what did they sound like? Any reviews forthcoming?
threerandot
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The set of four just arrived at the office. I won't be able to listen until tonight, but first impression:
Each opera is in a single jewel case with the flip out insert that holds two discs, libretto is not included, but original liner notes are, as well as technical notes on the remastering. It makes the release have a budget feel, but I guess they are budget prices! I need to save space on my shelf anyways....
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Post by seth September 7, 2006 (3 of 11)
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rosenkavalier817 said:
libretto is not included
That sucks.
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I listened to most of the Turandot, except for after Liu dies. The sound is good but I have some gripes. The three channel recording is cool, but it gets old, especially when Bjorling is coming virtually exclusively from your left speaker for almost all of the first act! At the finale of the act, you can hear him crossing over into the right channel, as he's crossing the stage to ring the gong. In questa reggia is pretty amazing when you get to the part with the two of them singing together and these amazing, huge voices are coming at you from each side of the stage. At the end of the first disc, right before In questa reggia, the sound of the chorus and instruments stops abruptly and the track continues for about 5 more seconds, disc changes, in questa reggia. I'll have to check my LPs to see if that's how it sounded originally. Overall, I thought the sound was thin on the recording, while the voices stood out nicely and had some good air about them, the orchestra sounded LPish still. I'll have to listen a lot more.
Almost through Act I of Traviata and it's AMAZING. For me the sound is much fuller than the Turandot and both Tucker and Moffo sound great. The orchestral sound is incredible and much more what I was expecting as far as texture and fullness. Will keep listening....
Edit: The Traviata, so far, is doing the same three channel transition (Moffo is singing Ah fors e lui from the left speaker), but the two of them have crossed back and forth across the stage much more than in Turandot, so it hasn't been as much of a distraction.
Any other thoughts?
Edit 2: The Traviata still has that constant vocal reverb that was in the orginal recording.
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Post by toddao September 8, 2006 (5 of 11)
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rosenkavalier817 said:
I listened to most of the Turandot, except for after Liu dies. The sound is good but I have some gripes. The three channel recording is cool, but it gets old, especially when Bjorling is coming virtually exclusively from your left speaker for almost all of the first act! At the finale of the act, you can hear him crossing over into the right channel, as he's crossing the stage to ring the gong. In questa reggia is pretty amazing when you get to the part with the two of them singing together and these amazing, huge voices are coming at you from each side of the stage. At the end of the first disc, right before In questa reggia, the sound of the chorus and instruments stops abruptly and the track continues for about 5 more seconds, disc changes, in questa reggia. I'll have to check my LPs to see if that's how it sounded originally. Overall, I thought the sound was thin on the recording, while the voices stood out nicely and had some good air about them, the orchestra sounded LPish still. I'll have to listen a lot more.
Almost through Act I of Traviata and it's AMAZING. For me the sound is much fuller than the Turandot and both Tucker and Moffo sound great. The orchestral sound is incredible and much more what I was expecting as far as texture and fullness. Will keep listening....
Edit: The Traviata, so far, is doing the same three channel transition (Moffo is singing Ah fors e lui from the left speaker), but the two of them have crossed back and forth across the stage much more than in Turandot, so it hasn't been as much of a distraction.
Any other thoughts?
Edit 2: The Traviata still has that constant vocal reverb that was in the orginal recording.
Yes the TURANDOT is rather like watching a tennis match sitting at the net! Although the chorus is recorded very effectively at the back , there seems little real depth with the voices and orchestra somewhat flat and two dimensional. Somewhat dry and thin.
The others are better. A more sensible use of the sound stage and better string tone.But the best, I think at this stage after only a few hearings,is the Butterfly. The first recorded in the then new RCA Rome studios. A much richer sound , beautifully balanced with effective movement across and to the rear of the soundstage. Price also sounds terrific in the role and what a pleasure to hear principals in the TRAVIATA and BOHEME that sound near the age they should be and not the usual geriatrics. Also the conducting on all sets seems about right, not too fast and not too slow!
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I must agree with toddao. The Butterfly is by far the best recording, sound wise, and perhaps performance wise. The dedication of all involved is apparent and the final act is as heartbreaking as I've heard it recorded. I'll definitely return to this recording often. I listened to the Boheme this morning. This recording, while good, has never quite done it for me. The sound is very good, not as good as the Butterfly, but better than Turandot. It seems to me, I heard a bit of distortion in the fourth act. I'll have to go back and listen again.
Overall, my sound grades would be, from best to worst, Butterfly, Boheme, Traviata and then Turandot. It's probably not a coincidence that that's how they were recorded, chronologically. I'm definitely going to relisten to these often. Bravo to RCA for putting all four of these out on SACD. Despite our disappointment that the libretti aren't enclosed and they have a bit of the budget feel, the price is absolutely unbeatable (less than two of the Living Stereo SACDs) and these recordings some of the most important in the catalogue. I anxiously await any more complete operas (please the Barbiere with Merrill!) and will not hesitate to buy them.
P.S. One thing I'm in slight disagreement about with Toddao: I've never found Richard Tucker to be a youthful tenor voice. Definitely a magnificent voice, but not youthful, IMHO. On the other hand, Moffo and Price...remarkable.
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Post by Claude November 17, 2008 (7 of 11)
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Hi,
Has anyone managed to download the libretti for the Living Stereo opera releases from the label website?
The back cover says "Italian and english libretti available on exclusive website. Details inside"
Then on page 3 of the booklets:
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To download the libretto for this opera, go to
http://opera.sonybmgmasterworks.com/libretti/livingstereo/
and enter the password "*********"
--------------------------------------------------
I won't indicate the password, to keep it exclusive ;-)
The above URL does not work, as the website has been reorganised in the meantime.
I searched for "libretti" and "libretto" on the sonybmgmasterworks.com website and found this page with other opera releases:
http://www.sonybmgmasterworks.com/series/MasterworksOpera/masterworksoperalibretti.html
However on the following page where you are supposed to enter the password, it states "***HI DAVID, PLEASE ADD FORM HERE****"
So has anyone been able to find the Living Stereo libretti in the past?
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Post by Claude November 17, 2008 (8 of 11)
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Post by zeus November 17, 2008 (9 of 11)
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Claude said:
However on the following page where you are supposed to enter the password, it states "***HI DAVID, PLEASE ADD FORM HERE****"
LOL. Looks like you'll have to wait until David gets around to it.
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Post by Claude November 17, 2008 (10 of 11)
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