Oliver, you said you hadn't featured Leontyne in Oliver's Corner. You did actually play her singing Ariadne, which then forced me to go out and buy said CD.

yes, i remember that too. but i didn't buy it...i just found it online and downloaded it.

oh yeah. thanks for reminding me.

Price sings an AMAZING "Ein schönes war" but a lackluster "Es gibt ein Reich.
But everybody should get that particular recording for the benchmark Komponist of Troyanos and the incomparable Gruberova as Zerbinetta.

I hope, Monkey Boy, that you don't regret owning the complete opera.

Michael, we need to find a way to capitalize on my recommendations via Amazon. Right now the Amazon widget is suggesting The Irish Tenors Christmas. The OC does NOT endorse.

YES, It would be very nice if those Amazon new releases were related to the Corner or from current and past recommendations made in the show, CDs or DVDs or (my preference) BDs. Anyway, Amazon does allow some sites to have their own little Amazon store, and there are a list of other possibilities. I know a lot of classical music public radio stations work with ArkivMusic because they are rather comprehensive although no Irish Tenors there. Amazing to me, Jenkins is there! Anyway, this only makes sense if they are low cost (free) to the podcast.

Oliver,

There are very few opera recordings I regret owning. I can't imagine Leontyne Price (or a Richard Strauss opera for that matter) would ever show up on a list of regrettable recordings. Although I must say that when I hear excerpts from her Cosi, it just doesn't sound right. Too clunky or not enough finesse. I feel the same way about Birgit Nilsson in Don Giovanni (which I think you actually recommended). Maybe that recording warrants another listen.

-MB

The Cosi you mention has a luxury cast that sings in a style that can only be described a s self-indulgent. Nevertheless, I cherish it. Troyanos and Price in duets is a vibrato tsunami. This is definitely not the set to have if it is going to be your only one. As opposed to an every-day drinkng wine (like Rieling Kabinett, low alcohol, crisp, and plays well with food) version of Cosi (namely, Mackerras, Gardiner, Levine), that Leinsdorf set you mention is more like a thick, salty and cloyingly sweet cream sherry that you secretly love and rarely share, even with good friends.
PLUS, you get a Black Tenor in a romantic lead with George Shirley.

Birgit Nilsson singing "Or sai chi l'onore" is an ideal.
Her singing The Mask trio, kind of funny.
But I think Arroyo is the Elvira in that version and Grist the Zerlina , which makes the Böhm set a must-have. Will somebody please get me one for Christmas?

OC

I can burn you a copy.

Greetings from Tokyo.
I enjoyed the first discussion on "Turandot". A recording of "Tu che di gel sei cinta" which I find memorable is Eileen Farrell's on her "Puccini Arias" disk - her "In questa reggia" also rocks.
Regarding the Alfano ending, the complete Alfano ending can be heard on Joesphine Barstow's "Final Scenes" disk - it's a little long and bombastic, but seems to work better than the truncated ending usually performed. But, the Berio ending, available on Naxos, brings the opera into the 20th century and is well worth a listen.
I saw a space age production of "Turandot" in Tokyo a few years ago wherein Alessandra Marc first appeared suspended on a platform hovering above the stage encased in a solid inverted cone so that only her head could move. She sang "In questa reggia" without being able to move her arms or body - and a giant video of her head was projected so that all could see the effort required to belt out the aria without moving. Quite a memorable moment.