CD-Charts Position 1
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Donizetti: Maria Stuarda

Search: Simone O Simone
by: Agnes Baltsa Simone Alaimo Francisco Araiza Francesco Ellero D'Artegna Edita Gruberova Iris Vermillion Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks Münchner Rundfunkorchester Giuseppe Patanè

Release Date October 06, 2003
Although very loosely based on historical facts, Donizetti's opera can be one of the most exciting vocal works in the hands of right singers - fortunately this is the case here! The opera demands two virtuoso singers for the principal soprano roles and Agnes Baltsa as Queen Elizabeth I never fails to excite with her interpretations and always gives us plenty mustard and none of the ham. She dominates her every scene with her declamatory vocal attack and viscerally exciting singing(in fact, the set is worth buying for her portrayal alone - listen to her venomous interjections as Mary begs for forgiveness!). Gruberova is not a personal favourite although she does provide an excellent foil for Balta's Elisabetta I - she sounds particularly effective ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Rossini - Matilde di Shabran (Rossini Opera Festival Live 2005)

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from: Decca (Universal Classics)

Release Date August 14, 2006
This MATILDE DI SHABRAN (Pesaro 2004) being my 38th Rossini opera on disc (only RICCIARDO & ZORAIDE is missing!), I can't recommend it highly enough, not least to rare opera hunters. Hearing the set over and over again for more than a week now, I purchased it primarily for Massis, whose unforgettable Countess Adele I saw three times in Glyndebourne's LE COMTE ORY 10 years ago and still enjoy endlessly on DVD. She and Florez (my first disc of either artist) nail their fiendish notes disarmingly, as if they're doing nothing less than breathing like the rest of mankind, though many times you'd wonder if they breathe at all! The supporting (obscure but generally secure) cast - together with a superb chorus and orchestra - complement the well-matched ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Mozart: Don Giovanni

Search: Simone O Simone
by: The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Thomas Allen Francisco Araiza Robert Lloyd Neville Marriner Sharon Sweet

Release Date July 07, 2003
This MATILDE DI SHABRAN (Pesaro 2004) being my 38th Rossini opera on disc (only RICCIARDO & ZORAIDE is missing!), I can't recommend it highly enough, not least to rare opera hunters. Hearing the set over and over again for more than a week now, I purchased it primarily for Massis, whose unforgettable Countess Adele I saw three times in Glyndebourne's LE COMTE ORY 10 years ago and still enjoy endlessly on DVD. She and Florez (my first disc of either artist) nail their fiendish notes disarmingly, as if they're doing nothing less than breathing like the rest of mankind, though many times you'd wonder if they breathe at all! The supporting (obscure but generally secure) cast - together with a superb chorus and orchestra - complement the well-matched ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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Donizetti: L'elisir d'amore (highlights)

Search: Simone O Simone
from: Naxos

Release Date May 01, 2000
This MATILDE DI SHABRAN (Pesaro 2004) being my 38th Rossini opera on disc (only RICCIARDO & ZORAIDE is missing!), I can't recommend it highly enough, not least to rare opera hunters. Hearing the set over and over again for more than a week now, I purchased it primarily for Massis, whose unforgettable Countess Adele I saw three times in Glyndebourne's LE COMTE ORY 10 years ago and still enjoy endlessly on DVD. She and Florez (my first disc of either artist) nail their fiendish notes disarmingly, as if they're doing nothing less than breathing like the rest of mankind, though many times you'd wonder if they breathe at all! The supporting (obscure but generally secure) cast - together with a superb chorus and orchestra - complement the well-matched ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
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Othmar Schoek: Venus

Search: Simone O Simone
from: Musikszene Schweiz

Release Date March 06, 1995
This MATILDE DI SHABRAN (Pesaro 2004) being my 38th Rossini opera on disc (only RICCIARDO & ZORAIDE is missing!), I can't recommend it highly enough, not least to rare opera hunters. Hearing the set over and over again for more than a week now, I purchased it primarily for Massis, whose unforgettable Countess Adele I saw three times in Glyndebourne's LE COMTE ORY 10 years ago and still enjoy endlessly on DVD. She and Florez (my first disc of either artist) nail their fiendish notes disarmingly, as if they're doing nothing less than breathing like the rest of mankind, though many times you'd wonder if they breathe at all! The supporting (obscure but generally secure) cast - together with a superb chorus and orchestra - complement the well-matched ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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Cimarosa: Il Matrimonio Segreto

Search: Simone O Simone
from: Nuova Era

Release Date March 15, 1994
This MATILDE DI SHABRAN (Pesaro 2004) being my 38th Rossini opera on disc (only RICCIARDO & ZORAIDE is missing!), I can't recommend it highly enough, not least to rare opera hunters. Hearing the set over and over again for more than a week now, I purchased it primarily for Massis, whose unforgettable Countess Adele I saw three times in Glyndebourne's LE COMTE ORY 10 years ago and still enjoy endlessly on DVD. She and Florez (my first disc of either artist) nail their fiendish notes disarmingly, as if they're doing nothing less than breathing like the rest of mankind, though many times you'd wonder if they breathe at all! The supporting (obscure but generally secure) cast - together with a superb chorus and orchestra - complement the well-matched ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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Cimarosa: Il matrimonio segreto

Search: Simone O Simone
from: Nuova Era

Release Date August 08, 2004
This MATILDE DI SHABRAN (Pesaro 2004) being my 38th Rossini opera on disc (only RICCIARDO & ZORAIDE is missing!), I can't recommend it highly enough, not least to rare opera hunters. Hearing the set over and over again for more than a week now, I purchased it primarily for Massis, whose unforgettable Countess Adele I saw three times in Glyndebourne's LE COMTE ORY 10 years ago and still enjoy endlessly on DVD. She and Florez (my first disc of either artist) nail their fiendish notes disarmingly, as if they're doing nothing less than breathing like the rest of mankind, though many times you'd wonder if they breathe at all! The supporting (obscure but generally secure) cast - together with a superb chorus and orchestra - complement the well-matched ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

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Crispino E La Comare (French Import)

Search: Simone O Simone
by: Luigi Ricci

Release Date
This MATILDE DI SHABRAN (Pesaro 2004) being my 38th Rossini opera on disc (only RICCIARDO & ZORAIDE is missing!), I can't recommend it highly enough, not least to rare opera hunters. Hearing the set over and over again for more than a week now, I purchased it primarily for Massis, whose unforgettable Countess Adele I saw three times in Glyndebourne's LE COMTE ORY 10 years ago and still enjoy endlessly on DVD. She and Florez (my first disc of either artist) nail their fiendish notes disarmingly, as if they're doing nothing less than breathing like the rest of mankind, though many times you'd wonder if they breathe at all! The supporting (obscure but generally secure) cast - together with a superb chorus and orchestra - complement the well-matched ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

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Ricci: Crispino e la Comare

Search: Simone O Simone
from: Bongiovanni

Release Date April 05, 1994
This MATILDE DI SHABRAN (Pesaro 2004) being my 38th Rossini opera on disc (only RICCIARDO & ZORAIDE is missing!), I can't recommend it highly enough, not least to rare opera hunters. Hearing the set over and over again for more than a week now, I purchased it primarily for Massis, whose unforgettable Countess Adele I saw three times in Glyndebourne's LE COMTE ORY 10 years ago and still enjoy endlessly on DVD. She and Florez (my first disc of either artist) nail their fiendish notes disarmingly, as if they're doing nothing less than breathing like the rest of mankind, though many times you'd wonder if they breathe at all! The supporting (obscure but generally secure) cast - together with a superb chorus and orchestra - complement the well-matched ... Read More: