Brilliant Classics opera sets
Tue, Apr 6 2010, 10:45AM
I came across the reissues of several opera sets (classic accounts) on Brilliant Classics (15 operas in first release) and just wondered what the mastering quality was like; are they licensed from EMI, etc...as this is not made clear on their website. Does anyone have any info on these sets, because for their price, they make ridiculously outstanding bargains!
Myron, and all other readers. These are wonderful buys. Many of them were recorded by EMI in the 1950's. The Tosca with Callas was released by EMI in their Historical Series minus a libretto. It was also released with a libretto in a well documented box set at a higher price. Both EMI boxes are still in stock at my sole Borders store here on Maui, Hawaii.
The Boris Godunov with Christoff and conducted by Dobrowen is a gem. First released in 1953 and recorded monaurally, I still find it more stimulating than later alternative recordings. I own the French HMV release in LP format. I notice too, that the superb Tristan conducted by Furtwangler is included in the Brilliant release.
Regarding libretti, I imagine none are provided by Brilliant considering the very low price of these operatic recordings.
As to the mastering quality, I do not know. My limited encounter with Brilliant releases is that they sound as excellent as the originals. Irvine Shamrock.