Manon og Kilden

This disc has most of the right ingredients for a classic Manon Lescaut. Plácido Domingo and Montserrat Caballé in their prime were two of the loveliest Puccini voices of the late 20th century. Their Spanish temperaments only aid in conveying the passion in this story of a love that survives unpleasant parents, religious vows, and arrest, and ends without a shred of dignity in the swamps of Louisiana. The main drawback here is that conductor Bruno Bartoletti, for all of his experience, could've given a fresher account of the score and, in general, the whole thing sounds a bit studio bound. However, operatic decisions are made on the basis of voices, and this set has them. –David Patrick Stearns

Massenet & Berlioz - Le Portrait de Manon - Les Nuits d' Ete (2013) {Opera Rara}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 325 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 182 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 363 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2013 Opera Rara | ORC47
Classical / Opera

This release features a double bill of Massenet's Le Portrait de Manon and Berlioz's song cycle Les nuits d'ete, recorded from live staged performances at the Royal Opera House with artists from the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme and the Southbank Sinfonia led by Geoffrey Paterson and Volker Krafft. This is the first time the composers Massenet and Berlioz have appeared as part of the Opera Rara catalogue. The single-disc set comes with a lavishly illustrated book, including a complete libretto for Le Portrait de Manon and song translations for Les nuits d'ete, as well as detailed notes on both pieces written by the eminent musicologist Hugh Macdonald.

Andrea, Ana Maria and Plácido made really an excellent production. Some people said Bocelli wasn't an opera singer, but maestri like Metha, Mercurio, Maazel (R.I.P), Gergiev, Armilliato, Luisi, and now maestro Domingo tell us about the wonderful voice and the excellent operatic job of maestro Bocelli

This film of Kenneth MacMillan's hugely-popular ballet Manon is the perfect twin to his classic Romeo & Juliet, released on September 29th, 2009. Once again, the romantic male lead is taken by the charismatic Carlos Acosta, and once again his beautiful partner is Tamara Rojo. Prévost's famous tale is set to the sensual music of Massenet and the Royal Ballet's staging is played out against the sumptuous set and costume designs of Nicholas Georgiadis. Manon is the third DVD release from Decca's new exclusive artist, Carlo Acosta. The Cuban superstar builds on his stunning Spartacus and romantic Romeo & Juliet performances as the ardent young lover, Des Grieux, in MacMillan's classic version of the tragedy. This high-definition film of Manon is one of the most popular ballets in the Royal Ballet's repertory, having received over 200 performances since its premiere in 1974. The DVD also includes an extensive (40 min) and fascinating documentary film, `Dancing Manon', featuring interviews with Carlos Acosta, Tamara Rojo, Monica Mason (Director of the Royal Ballet) and Ross MacGibbon (TV Director).

Te Kanawa and Carreras blend gorgeously in this fine recording. Chailly finds the elegance in the score like no other , they sing beautifully and idiomatically in this recording. They are in good voice and they point their words so well, indicating their understanding of the libretto as well as the score. Te Kanawa and Carreras are seasoned veterans and show why they earned reputations as superstars.