Reviews

The sound is exceptional… there are no hisses or scratches, just clear singing. [The singers are] all here in fine voice. It’s quite amazing to listen to something recorded nearly 80 years ago and find it as fresh as if it were pressed yesterday

The reasons for buying this set are threefold: Georges Thill, the excellent orchestra and the main conductor, Elie Cohen. Thill is magnificent as ever. Full marks for presentation.

Thill is the most marvellous singer here but there are at least two other performances of some stature. The transfers sound very well. We have texts, a plot summary and artist biographies… a most worthwhile addition to the catalogue

The transfer to CD is of such naturalness and quality that the voice of Georges Thill appears remarkably present and clear… a welcome historical re-issue characterised especially by the incomparable presence of Georges Thill.

issued by the worthy little company Divine Art…Guénot has an open sound… Nespoulous is a bright-voiced Micaela, neat and accurate. To José, Thill brings stylish vocalising… and is intense in the final scene. Divine Art’s transfer is very clear.

Very often, a vintage recording affords only historical interest; sometimes there is great artistic merit also involved. The 1928 recording of Georges Bizet’s Carmen has a little of each. However, it is the Don Jose of the nearly legendary tenor George Thill that is the major attraction of this set. It is so good to hear that role sung by a Frenchman for starters, and one with that Thill thrill for good measure. He is what gives value to this set and why I can recommend it for those who are interested in this wonderful tenor.

The crop of quality singers and the much underrated Carlo Sabajno combine together to provide a truly world class performance on all counts… stunning remastering. This is an essential historical document which is a must for all fans of opera in all guises.

Absolutely minimal surface noise… thus we can appreciate this set as a genuine performance. The quality of this world-class opera company shines through these old discs with an excellence and unfailing deep musicianship that justifies this reissue in artistic grounds

Autori as Mephistopheles: a vital, vivid, vibrant interpretation. He brings the character to life without excess: one of the best. Transfers are well done

Superb sound!…instrumental details are well caught, the chorus has great impact, the singers leap out of the speakers with surprising realism. Carlo Sabajno…secures fine playing and singing from the La Scala forces. The star of the performance is Fernando Autori as Mephistopheles. He has a magnificent black-tinted bass… one of the most impressive devils on any recording. Gilda Timitz is an excellent Siebel and his/her Flower Song is one of the highlights. A lot to admire on this almost 90-year old surprisingly listenable version.

Is this too cool or what? Any self respecting opera fan will want to grab a copy of this.

Remarkably good overall sound quality that allows the excellent performances to shine through. This is the first time that this important historical recording has appeared on CD and it’s a memorable version of one of the most popular, tuneful and sophisticated operas ever composed.

Divine Art seems to have done its job well. Most of the singers have rapid little vibratos, but their voices are not unattractive. Autori has a dark voice and fairly smooth delivery … he isn’t crude and heavy

The sound is very good acoustic (pre-electric). Granted that, its being sung in Italian gives it a certain historic quality…. [a] version that can stand on its own vocally against some of the more recent French-language versions

One of the happiest of recent historical releases… music-making that is both intimate and intense. Some treasurable performances that would otherwise be extremely difficult to track down. The transfers are good and so are the notes.

This is a vital set for Warlock enthusiasts. A number of these recordings were made before Warlock’s death in 1930…there is fascination in hearing these contemporaneous accounts. This single-width 2-CD set is smartly presented. Full discographical detail… wonderfully extensive notes

Put simply, this is a treasure-trove. The sound is very good… the liner notes are excellent. This is Hall of Fame material in my opinion. For the music, the interpretations, the sound, the clear-sighted editing…it is a monumental enterprise that deserves no less.

The recording of the C minor trio, new to me, is delectable…. The recording is also superb for 1942. The pianist is a classicist to her fingertips, throwing off pearl-like runs of notes with a consistently lovely tone, and her artistry is fully matched by her colleagues. The Ghost …is as splendid as I remember it, with a heartfelt slow movement. This lovely disc carries an unequivocal recommendation

dynamically propelled and sensitively shaped performances

Even more valuable [than the new Naxos Bach CD]… Feelingly played… fine transfers and excellent annotations