Opera in English
Opera, performed in English.
Chandos Opera in English is produced in association with the Peter Moores Foundation and aims to make opera available to a wider audience by presenting the performances in English.
The series, which was launched in 1995 with The Barber of Seville, is to include many of the most popular operas in the repertoire. The Barber, which was very well received, has Bruce Ford as the Count, Della Jones as Rosina and Alan Opie as Figaro. Tosca was released in 1996 and stars Jane Eaglen as Tosca, Dennis O'Neill as Cavaradossi and Gregory Yurisich as Scarpia. All future recordings of Opera in English will appear on this label with a CHAN3000 numbering sequence.
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Special offer. Mozart: The Magic Flute
Barry Banks (Tamino), Rebecca Evans (Pamina), Elizabeth Vidal (Queen of the Night), Simon Keenlyside (Papageno), John Tomlinson (Sarastro), Lesley Garrett (Papagena), John Graham-Hall (Monostatos)
Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras
Of all repertoire operas, none gains more than The Magic Flute from performance in the language of the audience. Musically, the performance is hard to fault. Articulation is light and buoyant,... —
Awards:
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BBC Music Magazine, June 2005, Disc of the month
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Gramophone Magazine, June 2005, Editor's Choice
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Special offer. Mozart: The Abduction from the Seraglio
RecommendedMattiwilda Dobbs (Constanza), Nicolai Gedda (Belmonte), Jenifer Eddy (Blonda), John Fryatt (Pedrillo), Noel Mangin (Osmin), David Kelsey (Pasha Selim)
Ambrosian Singers, The Bath Festival Orchestra, Yehudi Menuhin
Menuhin's set of The Abduction from the Seraglio in English makes the performance sparkle from first to last, favouring brisk, well-lifted Allegros, so that the fun of the piece comes over vividly...[the... —
Awards:
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Penguin Guide, Rosette
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Special offer. Donizetti: The Elixir of Love
RecommendedBarry Banks (Nemorino), Mary Plazas (Adina), Ashley Holland (Belcore), Andrew Shore (Dulcamara)
Philharmonia Orchestra, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, David Parry
Awards:
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Building a Library, April 2002, English Language Version
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Building a Library, January 2018, Also Recommended
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Special offer. Humperdinck: Hänsel & Gretel
RecommendedRebecca Evans (Gretel), Jennifer Larmore (Hansel), Jane Henschel (The Witch), Rosalind Plowright (Gertrude), Robert Hayward (Peter), Sarah Tynan (Dew Fairy), Diana Montague (Sandman), Sarah Coppen (Cuckoo)
Philharmonia Orchestra & New London Children’s Choir, Sir Charles Mackerras
What distinguishes this version is primarily the vigorous and large-scale conducting of Sir Charles Mackerras. —
Awards:
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BBC Music Magazine, August 2007, Opera Choice
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Gramophone Magazine, September 2007, Editor's Choice
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Grammy Awards, 50th Awards (2007), Best Opera Recording
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Strauss: Ariadne on Naxos
RecommendedSung in English: translation by Christopher Cowell
Christine Brewer (Ariadne/Prima Donna), Robert Dean Smith (Bacchus/The Tenor), Alice Coote (Composer), Gillian Keith (Zerbinetta), Stephen Fry (Major-Domo), Alan Opie (Music Master), John Graham-Hall (Dancing Master/Scaramuccio), Roderick Williams (Harlequin), Matthew Rose (Truffaldino), Wynne Evans...
Brewer's luscious Ariadne had to be captured on disc...There's another essential performance from Alice Coote...with unflinchingly full top notes that few other genuine mezzos possess...I've... —
Awards:
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Sunday Times, 2010, Albums of the Year
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Gramophone Awards, 2011, Shortlisted - Opera
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BBC Music Magazine, December 2010, Opera Choice
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Building A Library, September 2025, Recommended Recording
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Special offer. Wagner: The Mastersingers
RecommendedMargaret Curphey (Eva), Alberto Remedios (Walther), Norman Bailey (Hans Sachs), Derek Hammond-Stroud (Beckmesser), Ann Robson (Magdalene), Gregory Dempsey (David), Noel Mangin (Pogner), Stafford Dean (Nightwatchman)
Sadlers Wells Chorus & Sadlers Wells Opera Orchestra, Reginald Goodall
It's eminently listenable, capturing the musical and spiritual glow of Goodall's orchestra and voices, masterfully embodying the comedy's entwining pain and laughter. …this is not only something... —
Awards:
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Presto Recording of the Week, 30th June 2008
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Gramophone Awards, 2009, Finalist - Historic Archive
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BBC Music Magazine, August 2008, Opera Choice
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Gramophone Magazine, August 2008, Editor's Choice
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Penguin Guide, Rosette
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Original price ($37.25) Reduced price $31.66 -
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Special offer. Bartók: Duke Bluebeard's Castle, Sz. 48, Op. 11
Sally Burgess (Judith), Sir John Tomlinson (Duke Bluebeard/Minstrel)
Opera North Orchestra, Richard Farnes
This new version… is splendidly recorded, and Farnes coaxes some superb playing from the orchestra. Sally Burgess makes a fine Judith, bringing out the firmness of her love for Bluebeard, as... —
Awards:
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BBC Music Magazine, July 2006, Opera Choice
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Special offer. Verdi: Macbeth
sung in English
Latonia Moore (Lady Macbeth), Simon Keenlyside (Macbeth), Gwyn Hughes Jones (Macduff), Brindley Sherratt (Banquo), Ben Johnson (Malcolm), Elizabeth Llewellyn (Lady in Waiting)
English National Opera Orchestra, Edward Gardner
Even if [Moore's vocalism is brave and bold, at times Latonia Moore's Lady Macbeth could do with sharper definition and more sheer heft...Keenlyside explores the title role in depth, offering... —
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Special offer. Janacek: Katya Kabanova
Cheryl Barker (Katya), Jane Henschel (Kabanicha), Robert Brubaker (Boris Grigoryevich), Peter Hoare (Tichon Kabanov), Peter Wedd (Kudryash), Victoria Simmonds (Varvara), Kathleen Wilkinson (Glasha), Gwynne Howell (Dikoi); Welsh National Opera, Carlo Rizzi
…Rizzi illuminates… with almost Puccinian warmth, while keenly evoking the tightening tensions beneath. …Barker's… intense soprano, large for the role, makes Katya sound stronger than usual... —
Awards:
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BBC Music Magazine Awards, 2008, Opera Finalist
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Gramophone Awards, 2008, Finalist - Opera
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BBC Music Magazine, December 2007, Opera Choice
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Special offer. Wagner: Siegfried
Alberto Remedios (Siegfried), Rita Hunter (Brünnhilde), Gregory Dempsey (Mime), Norman Bailey (Wanderer), Derek Hammond-Stroud (Alberich), Clifford Grant (Fafner), Anne Collins (Erda), Maurine London (Woodbird), Barry Tuckwell (horn)
Sadler's Wells Opera Orchestra, Reginald Goodall
A unique record of a real artistic achievement. —
