CD-Charts Position 1
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Mozart - The Magic Flute

by: London Philharmonic Orchestra, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir

Release Date March 07, 2005
Really glad I bought this. I always loved the music, but hated that I couldn't understand the words. Now I have both!

Highly recommended.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

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Bizet - The Pearl Fishers - highlights

by: Georges Bizet, Alastair Miles, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra

Release Date September 01, 2008
Most of what I would have wanted to write as my review in response to the previous one by Ralph Moore I have said in the comments below the previous review. Apart from his view on translation in general, I am in agreement with his review.
I am glad that put my response in the 'comment sub-text' because it generated an interesting correspondence on the subject of opera in translation and some other matters.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

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Mozart - The Marriage of Figaro

by: Philharmonia Orchestra, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir

Release Date August 09, 2004
It does take a while to get used to the English singing, but it also really helps to get the jokes across. I was splitting my sides when I first listened to it, there are some real gems in this translation (A prime example being in the middle of Susanna and Marcellina's duet as they exchange insults: 'Your quality/ Your quantity').

The conducting is wonderful, always taken at a brilliant pace by that great Mozartian David Parry. The cast are spot on, the only real exception being Yvonne Kenny's Countess (a good voice, just a bit too much vibrato here). I especially love Christopher Purves' Figaro, William Dazeley's Count, Jonathan Veira's Bartolo, John Graham Hall's Basilio and Sarah Tynan's Barbarina. Purves is perfect in his role; ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

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Bizet - Carmen / Bardon, Gavin, Magee, Plazas, PO, Parry

from: Chandos [Opera in English]

Release Date January 27, 2003
It does take a while to get used to the English singing, but it also really helps to get the jokes across. I was splitting my sides when I first listened to it, there are some real gems in this translation (A prime example being in the middle of Susanna and Marcellina's duet as they exchange insults: 'Your quality/ Your quantity').

The conducting is wonderful, always taken at a brilliant pace by that great Mozartian David Parry. The cast are spot on, the only real exception being Yvonne Kenny's Countess (a good voice, just a bit too much vibrato here). I especially love Christopher Purves' Figaro, William Dazeley's Count, Jonathan Veira's Bartolo, John Graham Hall's Basilio and Sarah Tynan's Barbarina. Purves is perfect in his role; ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

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Donizetti - Imelda de' Lambertazzi

from: Opera Rara

Release Date March 03, 2008
It does take a while to get used to the English singing, but it also really helps to get the jokes across. I was splitting my sides when I first listened to it, there are some real gems in this translation (A prime example being in the middle of Susanna and Marcellina's duet as they exchange insults: 'Your quality/ Your quantity').

The conducting is wonderful, always taken at a brilliant pace by that great Mozartian David Parry. The cast are spot on, the only real exception being Yvonne Kenny's Countess (a good voice, just a bit too much vibrato here). I especially love Christopher Purves' Figaro, William Dazeley's Count, Jonathan Veira's Bartolo, John Graham Hall's Basilio and Sarah Tynan's Barbarina. Purves is perfect in his role; ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

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Sir Thomas Allen - Great Operatic Arias

by: London Philharmonic Orchestra, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir

Release Date January 10, 2005
It does take a while to get used to the English singing, but it also really helps to get the jokes across. I was splitting my sides when I first listened to it, there are some real gems in this translation (A prime example being in the middle of Susanna and Marcellina's duet as they exchange insults: 'Your quality/ Your quantity').

The conducting is wonderful, always taken at a brilliant pace by that great Mozartian David Parry. The cast are spot on, the only real exception being Yvonne Kenny's Countess (a good voice, just a bit too much vibrato here). I especially love Christopher Purves' Figaro, William Dazeley's Count, Jonathan Veira's Bartolo, John Graham Hall's Basilio and Sarah Tynan's Barbarina. Purves is perfect in his role; ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

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Thomas - La Cour de Célimène

by: Sébastien Droy, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, Philharmonia Orchestra

Release Date April 28, 2008
It does take a while to get used to the English singing, but it also really helps to get the jokes across. I was splitting my sides when I first listened to it, there are some real gems in this translation (A prime example being in the middle of Susanna and Marcellina's duet as they exchange insults: 'Your quality/ Your quantity').

The conducting is wonderful, always taken at a brilliant pace by that great Mozartian David Parry. The cast are spot on, the only real exception being Yvonne Kenny's Countess (a good voice, just a bit too much vibrato here). I especially love Christopher Purves' Figaro, William Dazeley's Count, Jonathan Veira's Bartolo, John Graham Hall's Basilio and Sarah Tynan's Barbarina. Purves is perfect in his role; ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

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Verdi - Centenary Celebration

by: Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, Philharmonia Orchestra, Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra

Release Date May 21, 2001
It does take a while to get used to the English singing, but it also really helps to get the jokes across. I was splitting my sides when I first listened to it, there are some real gems in this translation (A prime example being in the middle of Susanna and Marcellina's duet as they exchange insults: 'Your quality/ Your quantity').

The conducting is wonderful, always taken at a brilliant pace by that great Mozartian David Parry. The cast are spot on, the only real exception being Yvonne Kenny's Countess (a good voice, just a bit too much vibrato here). I especially love Christopher Purves' Figaro, William Dazeley's Count, Jonathan Veira's Bartolo, John Graham Hall's Basilio and Sarah Tynan's Barbarina. Purves is perfect in his role; ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

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Puccini Passions

by: Philharmonia Orchestra, Gareth Hancock, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir

Release Date February 26, 2007
It does take a while to get used to the English singing, but it also really helps to get the jokes across. I was splitting my sides when I first listened to it, there are some real gems in this translation (A prime example being in the middle of Susanna and Marcellina's duet as they exchange insults: 'Your quality/ Your quantity').

The conducting is wonderful, always taken at a brilliant pace by that great Mozartian David Parry. The cast are spot on, the only real exception being Yvonne Kenny's Countess (a good voice, just a bit too much vibrato here). I especially love Christopher Purves' Figaro, William Dazeley's Count, Jonathan Veira's Bartolo, John Graham Hall's Basilio and Sarah Tynan's Barbarina. Purves is perfect in his role; ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

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Mercadante - Maria Stuarda, regina di Scozia

by: Philharmonia Orchestra, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir

Release Date April 02, 2007
Opera rara at its best. A beautiful, totally neglected opera with vivid and powerful arias and ensembles. First class virtuoso singers, alert conductor, great sound. The only drop of bitterness: They should have recorded the whole opera!