Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake

After seeing "Black Swan", a phenomenal movie that you should go see, I decided to upload Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake", performed here by the London Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. Enjoy!

Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake, a ballet in 4 Acts

London Symphony Orchestra

Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4PYEMMOA

Stravinsky: The Rake's Progress

One of the first opera sets I bought is this one, and it's a fantastic introduction to this opera and to 20th-Century opera & neoclassicism in general.

Stravinksy: The Rake's Progress

Tom Rakewell: Ian Bostridge

Anne Truelove: Deborah York

Nick Shadow: Bryn Terfel

Baba the Turk: Anne Sofie von Otter

London Symphony Orchestra

Monteverdi Choir

John Eliot Gardiner, conductor

Disc One: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=55LTFF0H

Disc Two: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GLMSPROB

Sarah Vaughan

Sarah Vaughan's self-titled first album is a gem, showcasing her divine sense of vocal cadence, exploitation of tone colors, and that unmistakable smoky voice of hers.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JF2E1C5W

Verdi: Rigoletto

Giuseppe Verdi: Rigoletto

Duke of Mantua: Carlo Bergonzi

Rigoletto: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau

Gilda: Renata Scotto

Maddalena: Fiorenza Cossotto

Orchestra and Chorus of La Scala, Milan

Rafael Kubelik, conductor

Disc One: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=3JG6D7AW

Disc Two: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SYZBTK7T

Lehar: The Merry Widow

Let's get back on track, shall we? Here's a find: the Grammy-winning album of excerpts from Lehar's "The Merry Widow" with Beverly Sills in the title role. Julius Rudel conducts the New York City Opera Orchestra and chorus. The English translation is by Sheldon Harnick of "Fiddler on the Roof " fame. A shame this is out of print!

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Q3OBV3MQ

Leontyne Price: Return to Carnegie Hall

Leontyne Price: Return to Carnegie Hall

David Garvey, piano

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SAEBQDZT

Gershwin: Porgy and Bess (Maazel)

George Gershwin: Porgy and Bess

Porgy: Williard White

Bess: Leona Mitchell

Clara: Barbara Hendricks

Sportin' Life: Francois Clemmons

Crown: McHenry Boatwright

The Cleveland Orchestra & Chorus

Lorin Maazel, conductor

I consider this the best available recording of the complete opera. See for yourself.

Disc One: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=J56D1Z84

Disc Two: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4WEUXQL4

Disc Three: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=1498U6LZ

Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor (Moffo/Bergonzi)

Gaetano Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor

Lucia: Anna Moffo

Edgardo: Carlo Bergonzi

Enrico: Mario Sereni

RCA Italiana Opera Orchestra and Chorus

Georges Pretre, conductor

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Z0YVWZMJ

This is one of the best on disc - a shame it's out of print.

Do I Hear a Waltz? (Original Broadway Cast)

Do I Hear a Waltz? (Original Broadway Cast)

Elizabeth Allen

Sergio Franchi

Music by Richard Rodgers

Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Wonderful album!!

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FVPHFHNX

Giacomo Puccini - Tosca (Price, Stefano)

First music post:

Giacomo Puccini - Tosca

Leontyne Price - Tosca

Giuseppe di Stefano - Cavaradossi

Giuseppe Taddei - Baron Scarpia

Wiener Philharmoniker

Herbert von Karajan, conductor

Disc One: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MADESKO5

Disc Two: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=KOXV10YM

Welcome!

I started this blog to share some of my favorite albums. These uploads are designed to raise interest in works, composers and artists that may be unfamiliar to you, the reader. Please sample, and if you enjoy what you hear I encourage you to go out and buy a copy!