ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Discs: Better Operas

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30892, 27 October 1965, Page 14

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Discs: Better Operas

Although the World Record Club has increased the prices of its opera sets, it has also improved the selection and the result is a range of better bargains.

Before, the sets cost 28s 6d a disc. Now. the two-disc sets cost 60s (up 3s). three-disc sets 87s 6d (up 2s). four-disc sets 115 s (up Is) and five-disc sets stay at 142 s 6d. The club is again drawing on the E.M.I. operatic barrel, but this time from near the top. Most of the sets were made in the last few years, with the exception of one made in 1957, and all are in both stereo and mono. Some sets only reached the American market this year. This change to current issues is very welcome. It means that in ordering, the opera lover no longer has to be something of a student of gramophone history to sort out'the pre-war historical recordings from the pioneer LP dubbings and more recent ones. It means the stereo owner will be able to tap the opera boom which this recording mode set off. As it will probably reduce the demand for imported sets it means some overseas funds will be conserved. The first ' issues are of “Cavalleria Rusticana." “La Boheme,” “Tannhauser” and “The Bartered Bride.” STAR COMPETITION Although the World Record Club will probably dominate the opera market, the other companies can still compete, with other issues, mainly on a star basis. For instance, for the pre-Christmas market RCA Victor plans to issue Bellini's “Norma” with Joan Sutherland and H.M.V. plans to issue the new Callas "Tosca” and the longheralded Callas “Carmen." Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Riisticana” comes on World stereo 5ZX.524 (two 12in. 60s) in a distinguished performance. Franco Corelli is a redblooded Turiddu, combining dramatic effectiveness with a degree of restraint (though his “Mamma, quel vino” is on the teary side). Victoria de los Angeles does not reach the same dramatic intensity; her Santuzza is more blue-

blooded, sung in the grand style, sensitively and artistically. Adding to the enjoyment of it all is the firm pacing of Gabriele Santini, who conducts the Rome Opera House Orchestra and Chorus, and a spacious stereo recording. As this “Cav” is without “Pag.” which usually completes the opera house double bill and sometimes accompanies it on record, the fourth side is happily devoted to some little-heard music from M scagni's operatic Hops, the lively overture to "The Masks.” ‘The Dream" from

“William Ratcliffe.” and the Introduction and Sunrise chorus from the Japan-set “Iris.” Jean Claude Pascal, the French actor who sang here last month, is rather more impressive on HMV mono MCLP 6202 (12in. 39s 6d) in 12 French songs. However, as n his concert, the simpler and less contrived songs have the most appeal, particularly in “L’Arbre De L’Oublie” and “Au Board de L'Eau.” The simple melody line of these songs are much more suited to Pascal’s voice than the more jazz-orientated numbers such as “Tes Yeux De Chat Pour Voir La Nuit" and “L’Arithmetique De L’Amour,” which tax his vocal flexibility. Leo Chauliac and Christian Chevallier provide the orchestral backing, making very effective use of harpsichord, guitar and clarinet. N.Z. RECORDINGS Rod Derrett is a very talented home-grown entertainer, a handleader with short back ‘n’ sides who can write songs, play guitar, compose, and sing in dozens of voices and accents, even in harmony with himself, flis songs on “Puha and Pakelia,”

HMV mono only 7EGM.6093 (7in. 13s 6d). are amusing in presentation and in their gentle humour. Sometimes his parody is borderline, when his stereotypes and subjects are remote and unreal like the friendly Maori cannibal and jolly-hockeystick Englishman of the title song, and sometimes, as in "Dollars and Sense," good coin. Another New Zealand recording is "Scottish Ramble," on HMV mono onlv MCLP.6I9B (12in. 39s 6d). which contains some rollicking Scottish tunes —jigs, reels. Strathspeys and the like—played in a lively fashion by the South Cross Ceili Band. The vocalist and drummer. Seamus Hallisey, happens to be an Irishman, so the ramble takes in a bit of Irish song as well. If the sound of the accordion please you, this record should. ODETTA

The magnificent Odetta has turned to the Dylan songbook for her latest L.P. (Odetta Sings Dylan: R.C.A. mono LPM-3324, 12in. 39s 6d) Dylan's own versions are to be preferred because, his technical faults notwithstanding, he is the only one able to get inside the songs. But Odetta’s record is a valuable adjunct to them. With the accompaniment of her own guitar, the guitars of Bruce Langhorne and Peter Childs and the bass of Les Grinage she swings wildly on “Baby. I'm In The Mood For You.” “Don’t Think Twice. It's All Right” and “Walkin' Down The Line”; and she curls her voice luxuriantly around the slower numbers. But she could have made a better selection from Dylan’s copious output. “Masters Of War" and “With God On Our Side” are two of his more bombastic efforts, and “The Times They Are A'Changing," is not really suitable material for Odetta. In any case the message of this particular song was stated more than three centuries ago by John Donne.