LOTTE LENYA - Lotte Lenya Sings Kurt Weill's The Seven Deadly Sins & Berlin Theater Songs (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A combined digital edition of Die Sieben Todsünden and Lotte Lenya Sings Berlin Theatre Songs of Kurt Weill, a pair of recordings given additional weight and texture as a result of Lenya recording them after visiting Berlin following a 20-year absence from the city -- she was heartbroken on seeing the devastation that had resulted from World War II. Die Sieben Todsünden is a nine-part work for vocal ensemble and soloist, while the Berlin Theatre Songs collection essentially rifles the Kurt Weill canon for highlights, coming up, as expected, with "Moritat vom Mackie Messer" and "Seeräuberjenny," amongst others. Familiarity, however, makes the songs -- and the recordings -- no less a treasure. Lenya works with a small ensemble on the theatre songs, recording in fairly close quarters (going by the photos in the booklet). The recordings sound intimate, and have an impressive energy as a direct result. Lenya's pleasure at performing these songs is also evident -- there is no grandstanding (indeed, she is an example of self-control), but she puts her heart into each of them, giving each song its own special due. Die Sieben Todsünden utilizes an orchestra (conducted by Wilhelm Brückner-Rüggeberg) and a vocal ensemble. Lenya sings the part of Anna, represented as Anna I and Anna II, a character in conflict with herself, her family, and even the extremes of morality. This final collaboration between Weill and Bertholt Brecht takes quite a few interesting musical turns -- there is some extremely creative use of rhythm and dissonance, though not in expected ways, while the general form of the music often hints at strict tradition before unlacing said strict tradition's corsets. It's a wonderful concert work, lovingly recorded (and remastered) with subtle touches and inflections from Lenya that require repeated listenings to catch. The supporting vocalists are highly professional, but don't bring quite the same qualities to the table as Lenya does. This combined reissue is almost perfect, and it truly is unfortunate that there has to be a worm in the apple, albeit a fairly small one -- while the lack of a libretto for the Berlin Theatre Songs portion is perhaps understandable, the lack of even a German libretto for Die Sieben Todsünden is all but inexcusable. by Steven McDonald 

KATHEEN BATTLE - French Opera Arias (1996) APE (image+.cue), lossless

JESSYE NORMAN - Brava, Jessye! The Very Best of Jessye Norman (1996) APE (image+.cue), lossless

EDITA GRUBEROVA - The Art of Coloratura (1983) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

BIDÚ SAYÃO - O Luar da Minha Terra (2006) Mp3

On O luar da minha terra, Brazilian label Revivendo makes available eight more of historic soprano Bidu Sayão's early Brazilian recordings, made in 1935-1936, than have been previously available outside of her home country. A selection of eight showed up on a VAI Audio release Bidu Sayão: Rarities not long before she died in 1999; this one, however, boasts 16 early Brazilian selections, including popular songs in Portuguese, operatic selections, and a couple of numbers from Carlos Gomes' zarzuela Il Guarany and incorporating all of the ones that appeared on VAI. It is filled out by a handful of Sayão's American Columbia recordings from the late '40s, familiar already to those who know her. O luar da minha terra is a little less than absolutely delightful owing to some heavy-handed application of CEDAR noise reduction technology to the originals; while Sayão often comes through clear and strong, sometimes the band behind her sounds like it is playing from the deepest recesses of one's freezer owing to the effect of too much processing. For the later Columbia recordings, O luar da minha terra would be a ridiculous choice; in the famous 1945 Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5, Villa-Lobos' eight cellos sound like they need their own mukluks and igloos, their strangled notes rising up from the depths of a deep freeze. For that, Sony Masterworks Heritage's definitive release Bidu Sayão: Arias & Brazilian Folksongs remains the one indisputable choice in compact disc form. It is also true that the VAI remains the preferred option for at least the eight tracks it shares with the Revivendo item. On the other hand, the listener who is an absolute devotee of Bidu Sayão cannot argue against the concept of "more," and that is what Revivendo's O luar da minha terra has to offer; eight more Bidu Sayão recordings that available nowhere else, though that is the only advantage it has over other releases; in every other way it's substandard. Notwithstanding the digital aspect, all of the recordings emphasize what a strong and beautiful instrument Sayão had, apparent even in the most maudlin material. Sometimes the sound of the short breaths she takes to fuel extraordinarily long lines of singing, such as in "Cancão da Felicidade," can heighten the sense of emotional power Sayão is able to sustain, which is uncanny. Indeed, Sayão was a treasure; these digital transfers, however, are more like junk jewelry. by Uncle Dave Lewis 

BIDÚ SAYÃO - Bachiana Brasileira Nº 5, Opera Arias & Brazilian Folksongs (1996) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Bidú Sayão's silvery, impeccably tuned voice was small in size, but rich in nuance, shading, and emotion. Her recording of the Villa-Lobos Bachiana Brasileira No. 5 is justly famous, unmatched for lightness and sensuality. Few have dashed off the Jewel Song from Faust with similar insouciance or imbued the last phrases of Manon's "Adieu , notre petite table" as touchingly as Sayão does here. Her French song interpretations glow with charm and style, and a previously unreleased snippet from Ravel's L'enfant et les sotilèges makes one regret she never recorded the entire role, Sony's transfers are more lifelike and three dimensional than previous issues. A delectable disc. Amazon

RICHARD GALLIANO - Vivaldi (2013) Mp3

At first blush, Richard Galliano's performance of Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons may seem to be a novelty recording, but to describe it that way would be a disservice to his extraordinary virtuosity and impressive comprehension of the music. The accordion may not be to everyone's liking, as its status in both popular and classical music has always been subject to taste, but no one could seriously question this French accordionist's prodigious abilities with the instrument, which he treats as nimbly and as expressively as a violin. Of course, choosing Vivaldi's greatest hit as a vehicle is a pretty safe bet to attract a new audience, and Galliano seems to relish the opportunity to make this perennial favorite a part of the accordion's repertoire. This is Galliano's second album of classical music on Deutsche Grammophon, following his 2010 Bach album, and while he is perhaps better known for his recordings of jazz standards and film themes, most notably on his 2011 CD of the music of Nino Rota, his affection for Baroque masterpieces is sincere and it shows in his meticulous playing. For filler Galliano also performs arias from Vivaldi operas Il Giustino and Arsilda, regina di Ponto, backed by continuo. But as attractive as these pieces are, most listeners will return again and again to hear the Four Seasons, which is a tour de force for the instrument. by Blair Sanderson  

MARIA CALLAS - The Complete Studio Recordings 1949-1969 [70CD BOX-SET] EMI [2007] FLAC

 CD 1 

FIRST RECITAL (1 CD) 

BELLINI: Qui la voce (I puritani) 

BELLINI: Casta Diva (Norma) 

WAGNER: Liebestod (Tristan & Isolde) 

RAI Orchestra, Turin / Arturo Basile 

(Recorded November 1949 in Turin) 

CD 2, 3, 4 

PONCHIELLI 

La Gioconda (3 CDs) 

Fedora Barbieri, Gianni Poggi, Paolo Silveri 

RAI Turin Chorus & Orchestra / Antonino Votto 

(Recorded September 1952, Turin) 

CD 5, 6

DONIZETTI 

Lucia di Lammermoor (2 CDs) 

Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi 

Chorus & Orchestra of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino / Tullio Serafin 

(Recorded February 1953, Florence) 

CD 7, 8

BELLINI 

I puritani (2 CDs) 

Giuseppe di Stefano, Nicola Rossi-Lemeni, Rolando Panerai 

Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Tullio Serafin 

(Recorded March 1953) 

CD 9

MASCAGNI 

Cavalleria rusticana (1 CD) 

Giuseppe di Stefano 

Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Tullio Serafin 

(Recorded August 1953) 

CD 10, 11

PUCCINI 

Tosca (2 CDs) 

Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi 

Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Victor de Sabata 

(Recorded August 1953) 

CD 12, 13

VERDI 

La traviata (2 CDs) 

Francesco Albanese, Ugo Savarese 

RAI Chorus and Orchestra, Turin / Gabriele Santini 

(Recorded September 1953, Turin) 

CD 14, 15, 16

BELLINI 

Norma (3 CDs) 

Mario Filippeschi, Ebe Stignani 

Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Tullio Serafin 

(Recorded April 1954) 

CD 17

LEONCAVALLO 

Pagliacci (1 CD) 

Giuseppe di Stefano 

Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Tullio Serafin 

(Recorded May 1954) 

CD 18, 19, 20

VERDI 

La forza del destino (3 CDs) 

Richard Tucker, Carlo Tagliabue 

Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Tullio Serafin 

(Recorded August 1954) 

CD 21, 22

ROSSINI 

Il turco in Italia (2 CDs) 

Nicolai Gedda, Nicola Rossi-Lemeni 

Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Gianandrea Gavazzeni 

(Recorded August-September 1954) 

CD 23

Puccini Arias (1 CD) 

Philharmonia / Tullio Serafin 

(Recorded September 1954, London) 

CD 24

Lyric and Coloratura Arias (1 CD) 

Philharmonia / Tullio Serafin 

(Recorded September 1954, London) 

CD 25

Callas at La Scala (1 CD) 

Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Tullio Serafin 

(Recorded June 1955) 

CD 26, 27

PUCCINI 

Madama Butterfly (2 CDs) 

Nicolai Gedda, Lucia Danielli 

Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Herbert von Karajan 

(Recorded August 1955) 

CD 28, 29

VERDI 

Aida (2 CDs) 

Richard Tucker, Fedora Barbieri, Tito Gobbi 

Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Tullio Serafin 

(Recorded August 1955) 

CD 30, 31

VERDI 

Rigoletto (2 CDs) 

Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi 

Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Tullio Serafin 

(Recorded September 1955) 

CD 32, 33

VERDI 

Il trovatore (2 CDs) 

Giuseppe di Stefano, Rolando Panerai, Fedora Barbieri 

Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Herbert von Karajan 

(Recorded August 1956) 

CD 34, 35

PUCCINI 

La boheme (2 CDs) 

Giuseppe di Stefano, Anna Moffo, Rolando Panerai 

Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Antonino Votto 

(Recorded August-September 1956) 

CD 36, 37

VERDI 

Un ballo in maschera (2 CDs) 

Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi 

Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Antonino Votto 

(Recorded September 1956) 

ÑD 38, 39

ROSSINI 

Il barbiere di Siviglia (2 CDs) 

Luigi Alva, Tito Gobbi 

Philharmonia Orchestra / Alceo Galliera 

(Recorded February 1957, London) 

CD 40, 41

BELLINI 

La sonnambula (2 CDs) 

Eugenia Ratti, Fiorenza Cossotto, Nicola Monti 

Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Antonino Votto 

(Recorded March 1957) 

CD 42, 43

PUCCINI 

Turandot (2 CDs) 

Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Eugenio Fernandi 

Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Tullio Serafin 

(Recorded July 1957) 

CD 44, 45

PUCCINI 

Manon Lescaut (2 CDs) 

Giuseppe di Stefano 

Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Tullio Serafin 

(Recorded July 1957) 

CD 46, 47

CHERUBINI 

Medea (2 CDs) 

Renata Scotto, Mirto Picchi 

Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Tullio Serafin 

(Recorded September 1957) 

CD 48

Verdi Arias I (1 CD) 

Philharmonia / Nicola Rescigno 

(Recorded September 1958, London) 

CD 49

Mad Scenes 

Philharmonia / Nicola Rescigno 

(Recorded September 1958, London) 

CD 50, 51

DONIZETTI 

Lucia di Lammermoor (2 CDs) 

Ferruccio Tagliavini, Piero Cappuccilli 

Philharmonia Chorus & Orchestra / Tullio Serafin 

(Recorded March 1959, London) 

CD 52, 53, 54

PONCHIELLI 

La Gioconda (3 CDs) 

Fiorenza Cossotto, Piero Cappuccilli 

Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Antonino Votto 

(Recorded September 1959) 

CD 55, 56, 57

BELLINI 

Norma (3 CDs) 

Christa Ludwig, Franco Corelli 

Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Tullio Serafin 

(Recorded September 1960) 

CD 58

Callas a Paris I (1 CD) 

French Radio National Orchestra / Georges Pretre 

(Recorded March-April 1961, Paris) 

CD 59

Callas a Paris II (1 CD) 

Paris Conservatoire Orchestra / Georges Pretre 

(Recorded May 1963, Paris) 

CD 60

Mozart, Beethoven & Weber (1 CD) 

Paris Conservatoire Orchestra / Nicola Rescigno 

(Recorded December 1963 & January 1964, Paris) 

CD 61

Verdi Arias II (1 CD) 

Paris Conservatoire Orchestra / Nicola Rescigno 

(Recorded December 1963 & February 1964, Paris) 

CD 62

Rossini & Donizetti Arias (1 CD) 

Paris Conservatoire Orchestra / Nicola Rescigno 

(Recorded April, 1964) 

CD 63, 64

BIZET 

Carmen (2 CDs) 

Nicolai Gedda, Robert Massard 

Paris Opera Orchestra / Georges Pretre 

(Recorded July 1964, Paris) 

CD 65, 66

PUCCINI 

Tosca (2 CDs) 

Carlo Bergonzi, Tito Gobbi 

Paris Opera Chorus & Paris Conservatoire Orchestra / Georges Pretre 

(Recorded December 1964, Paris) 

CD 67

Verdi Arias III (1 CD) 

Paris Conservatoire Orchestra & Paris Opera Orchestra 

Nicola Rescigno 

(Recorded 1964 to 1969)

CD 68, 69

The EMI Rarities (2 CDs) 

Various Orchestras & Conductors 

CD 70

Libretti And Maria Callas Picture Gallery

MARIA CALLAS - The Complete Studio Recordings 1949-1969

2007 [70CD BOX-SET] EMI / FLAC / scans

O Púbis da Rosa

JOHN ADAMS - The Earbox : A 10-CD Retrospective (1999) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Track Listing - Disc 1

Harmonium, for chorus & orchestra
1 I. Negative Love 10:32
John Adams
2 II. Because I Could Not Stop for Death 9:41
John Adams
3 III. Wild Nights 11:43
John Adams
Shaker Loops, for 7 strings or string orchestra
4 I. Shaking & Trembling 8:25
John Adams
5 II. Hymning Slews 5:08
John Adams
6 III. Loops & Verses 6:54
John Adams
7 IV. A Final Shaking 3:56
John Adams

Track Listing - Disc 2

1 The Chairman Dances, foxtrot for orchestra 12:36
John Adams
Grand Pianola Music, for 3 sopranos, 2 pianos, winds, brass & percussion
2 First Movement 15:12
John Adams
3 Second Movement 7:50
John Adams
4 Third Movement: On the Dominant Divide 7:59
John Adams
5 Fearful Symmetries, for orchestra 28:02
John Adams

Track Listing - Disc 3

Nixon in China, opera
1 Act 1. Scene 1. Opening 2:53
John Adams
2 Act 1. Scene 1. "Soldiers of heaven hold the sky" 2:48
John Adams
3 Act 1. Scene 1. "The people are the heroes now" 2:49
John Adams
4 Act 1. Scene 1. Landing of The Spirit of '76 2:22
John Adams
5 Act 1. Scene 1. "Your flight was smooth, I hope?" 1:19
John Adams
6 Act 1. Scene 1. "News has kind of mystery:" 7:09
John Adams
7 Act 1. Scene 3. "Ladies & gentlemen, Comrades & friends," 6:37
John Adams
8 Act 1. Scene 3. "Mr. Premier, distinguished guests," 2:36
John Adams
9 Act 1. Scene 3. Cheers 3:50
John Adams
10 Act 2. Scene 1. "This is prophetic!" 8:31
John Adams
11 Act 2. Scene 2. Opening 2:53
John Adams
12 Act 2. Scene 2. "Oh what a day / I thought I'd die!" 4:48
John Adams
13 Act 2. Scene 2. "Whip her to death!" 2:33
John Adams
14 Act 2. Scene 2. "I am the wife of Mao Tse-tung" 6:33
John Adams
15 Act 3. "Let us examine what you did." 2:43
John Adams
16 Act 3. "When I woke up" 1:20
John Adams
17 Act 3. "I have no offspring." 1:54
John Adams
18 Act 3. "I can keep still," 2:11
John Adams
19 Act 3. "After that - / The sweat / Had soaked my uniform" 2:28
John Adams
20 Act 3. "Peking watches the stars," 2:42
John Adams
21 Act 3. "You won at poker." 3:14
John Adams
22 Act 3. "I am old & cannot sleep" 4:24
John Adams

Track Listing - Disc 4

1 The Wound-Dresser, for baritone & orchestra 19:11
John Adams
2 Christian Zeal and Activity, for chamber ensemble 10:06
John Adams
3 Thoreau, song for voice & piano, S. 373 (K. 6B52) 1:56
Charles Ives [John Adams]
4 Down East, song for voice & piano, S. 236 (K. 6B60b) 2:28
Charles Ives [John Adams]
5 Cradle Song, song for voice & piano, S. 233 (K. 6B60a) 1:25
Charles Ives [John Adams]
6 At the River, song for voice & piano, S. 214 (K. 6B54) 1:16
Charles Ives [John Adams]
7 Serenity, song for voice & piano, S. 347 (K. 6B60d) 2:02
Charles Ives [John Adams]
8 Eros Piano, for piano & orchestra 14:52
John Adams

Track Listing - Disc 5

The Death of Klinghoffer, opera
1 Prologue. Chorus of the Exiled Palestinians 8:34
John Adams
2 Prologue. Chorus of the Exiled Jews 8:33
John Adams
3 Act 1. Scene 1. "It was just after 1:15" 8:09
John Adams
4 Act 1. Scene 1. " My Grandson Didi, who was two" 5:10
John Adams
5 Act 1. Scene 1. "Give these orders" 2:01
John Adams
6 Act 1. Scene 1. "So I said to my grandson" 1:17
John Adams
7 Act 1. Scene 1. "We are sorry for you" 1:17
John Adams
8 Act 1. Scene 1. Night Chorus 3:38
John Adams
9 Act 1. Scene 1. Chorus of Hagar & the Angel 5:24 John Adams 10 Act 2. Scene 1. "I've never been a violent man" 3:28 John Adams 11 Act 2. Scene 1. "You are always complaining of your suffering" 5:13
John Adams
12 Act 2. Scene 2. Aria of the Falling Body (Gymnopédie) 7:23 John Adams 13 Act 2. Scene 2. Day Chorus 4:30 John Adams
Track Listing - Disc 6

1 Tromba Lontana, fanfare for orchestra 4:17 John Adams 2 Short Ride in a Fast Machine, fanfare for orchestra 4:19 John Adams 3 Common Tones in Simple Time for orchestra 20:43 John Adams El Dorado, for orchestra 4 Part I. A Dream of Gold 12:39 John Adams 5 Part II. Soledades 16:09
John Adams

Track Listing - Disc 7

Harmonielehre, for orchestra
1 Part I. 17:12
2 Part II. The Anfortas Wound 12:24
3 Part III. Meister Eckhardt & Quackie 10:41
Violin Concerto
4 Part I. 14:56
5 Part II. Chaconne: "Body through which the dream flows" 11:30
6 Part III. Toccare 7:40 John Adams
Track Listing - Disc 8

Chamber Symphony
1 Mongrel Airs 7:50 John Adams 2 Aria with Walking Bass 8:13 John Adams 3 Roadrunner 5:52 John Adams Hoodoo Zephyr, for electronics
4 Tundra 10:34
John Adams
5 Disappointment Lake 8:15 John Adams 6 Hoodoo Zephyr 10:30 John Adams Gnarly Buttons, for clarinet & ensemble
7 The Perilous Shore 10:01 John Adams 8 Hoe-down (Mad Cow) 5:50 John Adams 9 Put Your Loving Arms Around Me 8:31 John Adams
Track Listing - Disc 9

I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky, songplay
1 Act 1. I Was Looking at the Ceiling & Then I saw the Sky 8:05 2 Act 1. A Sermon on Romance 3:11 3 Act 1. Consuelo's Dream 4:55 4 Act 1. Mike's Song about Arresting a Particular Individual 3:22 5 Act 1. Tiffany's Solo 4:52 6 Act 1. Song about the On-Site Altercation 2:51 7 Act 1. Song about the Bad Boys & the News 6:20 8 Act 1. Your Honor My Client He's a Young Black Man 5:40 9 Act 1. Leila's Song: Alone (Again or at Last) 4:17 10 Act 2. Three Weeks & Still I'm Outta My Mind 5:12 11 Act 2. Crushed by the Rock I Been Standing On 4:37
12 Act 2. Dewain's Song of Liberation & Surprise 5:29
13 Act 2. Este País! / This Country! 4:27
14 Act 2. One Last Look at the Angel in Your Eyes 2:00
15 Act 2. Finale 4:36 John Adams
Track Listing - Disc 10

1 Lollapalooza, for orchestra 6:47
John's Book of Alleged Dances, for string quartet
2 Judah to Ocean 2:34 John Adams 3 Toot Nipple 1:15 John Adams 4 Dogjam 2:34 John Adams 5 Pavane: She's so Fine 6:34 John Adams 6 Rag the Bone 3:04
John Adams
7 Habanera 4:49
John Adams
8 Stubble Crotchet 2:44
John Adams
9 Hammer & Chisel 1:16
John Adams
10 Alligator Escalator 3:54
John Adams
11 Ständchen: The Little Serenade 4:58
John Adams
12 Judah to Ocean (reprise) 2:38
John Adams
13 Slonimsky's Earbox, for orchestra 13:20
John Adams

RICHARD STRAUSS - Elektra [Böhm] 2CD / DG / FLAC

RICHARD STRAUSS [1964-1949]

Elektra [Karl Böhm]

1970 DG [2CD] FLAC / scans

O Púbis da Rosa

ALEXANDER BORODIN - Prince Igor [Emil Tchakarov] 3CD / 2013

ALEXANDER BORODIN [1833-1887]

 Prince Igor [Emil Tchakarov] 

Brilliant / 2013/ 3CD / CBR320 / scans

O Púbis da Rosa

BIDU SAYÃO - Rarities (1999) FLAC (tracks), lossless

 Brazilian soprano Bidu Sayão had one of the most remarkable voices in the history of recorded music; light, agile, emotional, powerful and always true to pitch with an uncanny expressiveness that seemed almost innate. She was criminally under-recorded -- although her career spanned some 35 years, already a decade of it had expired when she first stepped in front of the mike and her relationship with it would prove spotty, except for a few years in the mid-1940s when she was a contract artist with CBS Records in New York. The two discs of reissues released in Sony Masterworks Heritage series in the 1990s contains most of her recorded output, however in VAI Audio's Bidu Sayão: Rarities, a good portion of the uncollected material is gathered together in one place for the first time. This consists of a selection taken from among Sayão's first recordings, made in Brazil in 1935-1936 of popular Brazilian songs and a couple of arias from Carlos Gomes' zarzuela Il Guarany, and operatic excerpts taken from radio broadcasts from 1948-1951. The earlier discs feature Sayão in youthful and resplendent voice, and that uncanny expressiveness mentioned earlier irradiates from these sides with nearly the penetration of sunlight itself; the only drawback is the rather strained and second-rate playing of the Brazilian recording orchestras that support Sayão on these outings, but she is so intense that you don't care about them. In the broadcast material, Sayão is partnered on a couple of numbers with no less than Italo Tajo and Jussi Björling; Tajo is wickedly humorous enough in his cackling delivery of Donizetti's patter from L'Elisir d'amore to warrant mention apart from Sayão. By the time of these recordings, Sayão was nearing retirement and her voice was somewhat darkening; however, the sense of drama and communication is still intact, and this features a particularly fine rendering of Micaëla's aria from Bizet's Carmen, to single out one highlight of many. There are also rare, late examples of Sayão singing verismo arias, a part of the repertoire she scrupulously avoided for the better part of her singing career.
The recordings used here were part of the collection of William Seward, who annotated many classic opera collections in the LP era and cared well for his own sources; there is an occasional pop and click among the broadcast sources, but otherwise they are not at all noisy and true to the original signal. Some labels outside the United States have lately begun to reissue Sayão's early recordings in horrendous transfers. However, if you are looking for those, VAI's Rarities is the one you want, the Brazilian 78s come through with honesty, clarity, and a minimum of noise with no added effects that would tend to rain on Sayão's parade. by Uncle Dave Lewis 
Tracklist:
 1 A casinha pequenina (The Tiny Little House) 3:32
 2 Canto da saudade (Song of Longing) 4:31
 3 Cisnes (Swans) 4:43
 4 O luar da minha terra (The Moonlight of My Homeland) 2:38
 5 Canção da felicidade (Song of Happiness) 3:06
 6 Cantiga (Song) 2:20
 Il Guarany, opera
7      C'era una volta un principe 4:51
 8 Gentile di cuore 3:33
 L' elisir d'amore, opera
9 Quanto amore 6:37
 Roméo et Juliette, opera
10 Je veux vivre 3:42
 11 Va! je t'ai pardonné 10:31
 Carmen, opera
12 Je dis que rien ne m'épouvante 5:40
 Manon, opera in 5 acts
13 Voyons, Manon 4:15
 14 Adieu, notre petite table 4:23
 Manon Lescaut, opera
15 In quelle trine morbide 2:18
 La bohème, opera
16 Donde lieta uscì 3:02
 L' amico Fritz, opera (commedia lyrica) in 3 acts
17 Son pochi fiori 2:54
18 Die Letzte Rose (as interpolated into "Martha") 3:18

STOCKHAUSEN - Samstag Aus Licht [1988] DG / 4CD

 Samstag aus Licht is the first music by Karlheinz Stockhausen to come my way. Being limited as I am, I fail dismally to encompass this music or the fertile imagination behind it. Accordingly I’m tentative in the extreme in penning this el cheapo review.

This much I can say: its Fourth Act - Luzifers Abschied – is the creepiest music I have ever heard. Putting aside stereotypes and astronomical gas bills, this is Hell, best understood as a dynamic where God’s absence is total. What resides in its place? Chaos in all its causticity; meaninglessness and the loss of symmetry; disintegration; the tyranny of small things; Nietzsche’s Law of Eternal Recurrence, fresh from five minutes in the microwave; endless repeats of Baywatch being played backwards and overdubbed in the Black Speech of Mordor.

Listen to this music late at night and it’ll be an “On the Road to Damascus Experience” of sorts where Abaddon, archangel of the abyss, will slip you his business card before the night is through.

This is so much more than mood-music or a glorified film score. Indeed, it’s a deeply religious work. Somewhat unwillingly, Lucifer listened to it with me at our last meeting of the Australian Knappertsbusch Association. He too was left spooked. As he left the room, he muttered, “Stay in the light! Stay in the light!” in a higher-pitch voice than normal. I took this to mean something more than a reference to the Bee-Gees and their jeans of gold. by Bernard Michael O'Hanlon

KARLHEINZ STOCKHAUSEN (1928-2007) - Samstag Aus Licht
[1988] DG / 4CD / CBR320 / scan

O Púbis da Rosa