The Economist (January 23rd - January 29th 2010)

The Economist (January 23rd - January 29th 2010)

English | 92 pages | PDF | 42 MB

Stop!

The size and power of the state is growing, and discontent is on the rise

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Natalie Dessay & Rolando Villazón - Manon (Massenet)

Natalie Dessay & Rolando Villazón - Manon (Massenet)
Classical/Opera | 2 DVD9 | 2h55' | 7,7+6,5 GB
Publisher: Virgin Classics 2007 | Subtitles: French, English, German, Spanish, Catalan
Audio: PCM linear Stereo, DTS 5.1, Dolby digital 5.1 / Picture Format 16:9

Manon by Jules Massenet Performer: Didier Henry (Baritone), Rolando Villazón (Tenor), Manuel Lanza (Tenor), Natalie Dessay (Soprano), Samuel Ramey (Bass) Conductor: Victor Pablo Pérez Orchestra/Ensemble: Barcelona Teatro Liceo Orchestra, Barcelona Teatro Liceo Chorus Period: Romantic Written: 1883-1884; France Manon Lescaut – flighty and amoral, yet somehow innocent and lovable – is one of the quintessential French heroines, and her long-suffering lover, the Chevalier des Grieux, is always drawn back to her. Set in the 18th century, Massenet's opera traces her trajectory from carefree provincial girl to the toast of Paris and finally to her death as an exile in the wastelands of Louisiana. Massenet's setting demands a charismatic singing-actress. She must run the gamut from girlish insouciance to tragic pathos and command both a seductive lyrical line and sparkling coloratura. Natalie Dessay first took on the role in Geneva in 2004, when Forum Opéra described her as "overwhelming, believable (...) stunningly right, both vocally and theatrically" In June 27 at Barcelona's magnificent Liceu opera house, Dessay appeared in Manon, partnered for the first time on any stage by Roland Villaz&oactue;n. The production was by David McVicar, one of today's most sought-after directors of opera, noted for both his sense of spectacle and his penetrating perception. The cast also boasted veteran bass Samuel Ramey, still a magnificent singer, as des Grieux's father and Spanish baritone Manuel Lanza as Lescaut. Forum Opéra had the following to say: "How do you stage Manon and faithfully reflect the libretto without slipping into a literal approach? The Liceu squares the circle with panache, thanks to the combination of David McVicar's concept, singers who know how to act and an orchestral performance which does full justice to Massenet's score. "Natalie Dessay and Rolando Villazon bring typically generous commitment to their characters (...) Time and effort have rounded out [Dessay's] middle register and added substance to her lower notes, and the French soprano is (...) making a brilliant success of her transition to the lyric soprano repertoire. Blessed with a physique that favours her credibility in the role of a young girl, she finds the range of nuance to express the excited feelings of [a character] who wants everything now and suffers the consequences (...) The Mexican tenor (...) has always excelled at expressing emotion and brings the young lover utterly convincingly to life. "[The conductor] Victor Pablo Pérez shows a special affinity with Massenet's writing, achieving a flexibility and responsiveness from the orchestra (...) which brings out all the refinement of a score whose music, while typical of the late 19th century (...) has moments where it foreshadows subsequent decades."

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Montserrat Caballé - Donizetti, Rossini, Verdi - Rarities

Montserrat Caballé - Donizetti, Rossini, Verdi - Rarities
Classical/Opera | 3 CDs | FLAC, Nero, none LOG, none CUE | 220+185+190 MB
Publisher: RCA Victor Red Seal | 1969 | RapidShare

Montserrat is best known for her roles in Rossini, Bellini, and Donizetti operas. Her superb voice, breath control, exquisite pianissimos, and infamous technique overshadow her acting and dramatic abilities. Although Montserrat's personal favorite performance was her Norma on July 20, 1974, she is best known for her Vissi d'Arte from Puccini's Tosca, which displays her remarkable breath control and technique. She set the bar and no one has surpassed it.

Tracklist

Donizetti - Rarities:
01. Torquato Tasso - Trono e corona
02. Gemma di Vergy - Lascia, Guido, ch'io possa vendicare
03. Belisario - Sin la tomba e a me negata
04. Parisina d'este - Ciel sei tu in qual momento Ugo e spento

Rossini - Rarities:
01. Donna del lago - Tanti affretti
02. Otello - Assisa a pie d'un salice
03. Stabat Mater - Inflamatus et accensus
04. Armida - D'amore al dolce impero
05. Tancredi - Di tanti palpiti
06. L'assedio di Corinto - Giusto ciel! in tal periglio

Verdi - Rarities:
01. Un giorno di regno - Grave a core innamorato
02. I Lombardi - Qual prodigio! Non fu sogno
03. I due foscari - Tu al ciu sguardo onnipossente
04. Alzira - Da Gusman su fragil barca
05. Attila - Oh! Nel fuggente Nuvolo
06. Il Corzaro - Egli non riede ancora! Non so le terte immagini
07. Aroldo - Oh cielo! Dove son'io! Dagli scanni eterei

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Donizetti - Rarities: Part 1 Part 2
Rossini - Rarities: Part 1 Part 2
Verdi - Rarities: Part 1 Part 2

Montserrat Caballé - Vincenzo Bellini - Norma

Montserrat Caballé - Vincenzo Bellini - Norma
Classical/Opera | 3 CDs | FLAC, Nero, none LOG, none CUE | 270+210+180 MB
Publisher: RCA Victor Red Seal | 1990 | RapidShare

Montserrat is best known for her roles in Rossini, Bellini, and Donizetti operas. Her superb voice, breath control, exquisite pianissimos, and infamous technique overshadow her acting and dramatic abilities. Although Montserrat's personal favorite performance was her Norma on July 20, 1974, she is best known for her Vissi d'Arte from Puccini's Tosca, which displays her remarkable breath control and technique. She set the bar and no one has surpassed it.

Tracklist

Disk: 1
01. Prelude
02. ACT I - Ite sul colle, o Druidi
03. Svanir le voci
04. Meco all'altar di Venere
05. Odi, I suoi riti a compiere Norma
06. Norma viene
07. Sediziose voci, voci di guerra
08. Casta diva
09. Fine al rito
10. Ah! bello a me ritorna
11. Sgombra è la sacra selva
12. Eccola! Va, mi lascia
13. Va, crudele, al dio spietato
14. E tu pure, ah! tu non sai

Disk: 2
01. Vanne, e li cela entrambi
02. Adalgisa! - Alma, costanza!
03. Ma di', l'amato giovane
04. Oh! di qual sei tu vittima
05. Dormono entrambi
06. Me chiami, o Norma
07. Mira, o Norma

Disk: 3
01. Non parti
02. Guerrieri! a voi venirne
03. Ah! del Tebro al giogo indegno
04. Ei tornera, si
05. Guerra, guerra!
06. Ne compi il rito, o Norma
07. In mia man alfin tu sui
08. All'ira rosta nuova vittima io svelo
09. Deh! non voleri vittime

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CD1: Part 1 Part 2
CD2: Part 1 Part 2
CD3: Part 1 Part 2

Montserrat Caballé & Bernabe Marti - Zarzuela Love Duets

Montserrat Caballé & Bernabe Marti - Zarzuela Love Duets
Classical/Opera | 1 CD | FLAC, Nero, none LOG, none CUE | 200 MB
Publisher: RCA Victor Red Seal | 1969 | RapidShare

Montserrat is best known for her roles in Rossini, Bellini, and Donizetti operas. Her superb voice, breath control, exquisite pianissimos, and infamous technique overshadow her acting and dramatic abilities. Although Montserrat's personal favorite performance was her Norma on July 20, 1974, she is best known for her Vissi d'Arte from Puccini's Tosca, which displays her remarkable breath control and technique. She set the bar and no one has surpassed it.

Tracklist:
01. El Caserio, zarzuela- Buenos días
02. La Generala, zarzuela- Mi dulce sueño de adolescente
03. La leyenda del Beso, zarzuela- Amor, mi raza sabe conquistar
04. Luisa Fernanda, zarzuela- Caballero del alto plumero
05. La Dolores, zarzuela- Dolores mia!...Aquí tu!
06. El Duo de la Africana, zarzuela- Comprende lo grave de mi situación

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Part 1 Part 2