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Ralph Moore & Arabella
Posted by Jan Arell on July 31, 2020, 10:13 pm
Yes, I agree with Mr Moore that it is strange that this opera haven't got more recordings. And I also agree with the conclusion that there isn't one and only to go for. I have the Keliberth and I am content with that. I also have the Solti/Janowitz DVD which is also good. (I buy anything with Janowitz!) But in my memory, nothing compares to the performances at the Gothenburg Opera in 2006/07 with Nina Stemme and a young Kristina Hansson as Zdenka. Stemme had been under contract with this admittedly local opera house but has come back a couple of times, obviously to show her affection for what it meant to her career. She's been doing some Strauss, some Puccini and, of course, she was there when the Gothenburg Opera celebrated the centenary in May 17th 2018 of its godmother, Birgit Nilsson, leading the Walkures to heights seldom heard.
Thank you, Mr Arell; we are at least fortunate that both studio recordings are first-rate. I enjoyed Nina Stemme some while back but of late her soprano has developed a beat or pulse which I find off-putting. Now that the age of studio recordings - and indeed of great voices - seems to have passed, we must be grateful that we have so many fine recordings to choose from.