An Evening of Opera by by Daniel-Francois-Esprit Auber, Georges Bizet, Alexander Borodin

An Evening of Opera

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An Evening of Opera

Features

Composer: Daniel-Francois-Esprit Auber, Georges Bizet, et al.

Conductor: René Leibowitz

Orchestra: Orchestre de la Societe Des Concerts Symphonique De Paris

Label: Chesky Records

Audio CD (June 23, 1994)

Number of Discs: 1

Reader Reviews
Rene Leibowitz (1913-1975) was one of the finest conductors of French operas - his recorded performances of Offenbach's La Belle Helene & Orpheus in the Underworld are justly famous (available on Regis CDs). The highlights of this audiophile quality CD: a superb suite from Bizet's Carmen (I prefer this zesty account to Beecham's conducting in his recording of the complete opera on EMI), the Intermezzo from Puccini's Manon Lescaut (better played than Perlea's otherwise wonderful performance in the definitive complete opera set with Licia Albanese & Jussi Bjoerling for RCA), the delightful overture to Auber's The Crown Diamonds, and the most gorgeous account of the Barcarolle from Offenbach's Tales of Hoffman you will ever hear. The Dukas "Sorcerer's Apprentice" (an odd inclusion in a CD of opera music) is a thoroughly idiomatic account, if not quite so stunning as Constantin Silvestri's reading (Disky). These are stylish & beautifully-played performances by a French orchestra that sounds just right. Highly recommended.

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