Since you are interested in Beethoven: Fidelio (Complete opera recorded in 1982), here is a list of other items that you may find interesting.
RICHARD STRAUSS
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Zubin Mehta conducts Richard Strauss New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta, with Éva Marton, Bernd Weikl & Jane Eaglen [ Sony Classical Masters / 8 CD Box Set - released 10/Nov/2016 ] This orchestral release here features the Richard Strauss recordings conducted for Sony Classical by Zubin Mehta. ClassicsToday.com's reviewer observed that "Mehta always has been an excellent Straussian". |
PIOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker Op 71 (complete ballet) [with Arensky: Variations on a theme by Tchaikovsky] The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Mark Ermler [ Conifer / 2 CD Box Set - released 20/Nov/1989 ] "The orchestra respond idiomatically to Tchaikovsky dance music and with obvious familiarity and love. Ermler has a natural feeling for springing rhythms and moulding rubato persuasively." (Gramophone) |
Domingo/Bumbry/Queler
Massenet:le Cid [ Sony Opera House / 2 CD - released 20/Jul/2009 ] "…essential listening for the indefatigable ardour and sorrow of Domingo in the insanely taxing title, and Grace Bumbry… makes hair-raising work of Chimene's vengeful determination." BBC Music Magazine, October 2009 **** |
UMBERTO GIORDANO
Giordano: Andrea Chenier (complete opera) Renata Scotto, Placido Domingo, Jean Kraft, Sherrill Milnes / National Philharmonic Orchestra, James Levine [ Sony Opera House / 2 CD - released 4/Jan/2010 ] "Scotto gives one of her most eloquent and beautiful performances, and Levine has rarely displayed his powers as an urgent and dramatic opera conductor more potently on record." Penguin Stereo Guide |
ALFREDO CATALANI
Catalani: La Wally (Complete opera recorded in 1989) Eva Marton, Francisco Araiza, Alan Titus / Münchner Rundfunkorchester & Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Pinchas Steinberg [ Sony Opera House / 2 CD - released 1/Aug/2016 ] "Catalani's orchestral writing is best demonstrated in the 1989 Munich Radio performance brilliantly led by Pinchas Steinberg. This is the way this opera should be conducted and played-the music comes alive and we begin to understand Catalani's quali |
GIUSEPPE VERDI
Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschera [The Masked Ball] (Complete opera recorded in 1967) Leontyne Price, Carlo Bergonzi & Shirley Verrett / RCA Italiana Opera Chorus & RCA Italiana Opera Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf [ Sony Opera House / 2 CD - released 20/Feb/2010 ] "Bergonzi is both impassioned and refined in what was, perhaps, his best and favourite role, He chuckles urbanely in the laughing song, declaims his love for Amelia with real ardour and laments giving her up with deep sensitivity and plangent tone." |
FRANZ LEHAR
Lehar: Die Lustige Witwe [Merry Widow] (Complete opera recorded in 1965) Margit Schramm, Rudolf Schock, Dorothea Chryst, Jerry J. Jennings / Chor Der Deutschen Oper Berlin & Berliner Symphoniker, Robert Stolz [ Sony Opera House / 2 CD - released 1/Feb/2012 ] Studio recording, 1965 |
BELLINI
Norma (Complete opera recorded in 1980) Renata Scotto, Tatiana Troyanos, Giuseppe Giacomini / National Philharmonic Orchestra / James Levine [ Sony Opera House / 2 CD - released 1/Sep/2009 ] "…Scotto's Druid priestess grows in stature to give us an unbearably moving scene in which she contemplates the murder of her children and, best of all, the duets with the rival priestess of Tatiana Troyanos, who offers the most sheerly beautiful... |
BERG
Wozzeck (Complete opera recorded in 1971) Walter Berry, Isabel Strauss, Fritz Uhl / Paris Opera Chorus & Orchestra / Pierre Boulez [ Sony Opera House / 2 CD - released 1/Sep/2009 ] Wozzeck is today established as one of the greatest operas of the twentieth century although public reaction was divided at the start. |