Opera on Record 1993 means for me one thing: Gloriana. That went to

Alan Blyth for first review so it had better now give way to what was a very acceptable consolation-prize, the first recording of The Beggar's Opera in Britten's realization. This is a spirited performance under Steuart Bedford; it's the flavouring, the musical wit, the Inventiveness and sometimes the affectionate drawingOut of a perceived beauty that endears this version of a piece I've otherwise not usually found very congenial despite its distinguished place as a subsection in the history of opera. For the history of operatic singing, the best Gramophone has covered this year (apart from the Award-winning "Singers of Imperial Russia" on Pearl) has been the twoCD set "The Era of Adelina Patti", every item taken from a rare and faultless original copy. One of the singers included is Lucien FugCre, and more of him has appeared on Symposium: an amazing octogenarian, his stylishly immaculate recordings from around 1930 beautifully transferred. For a nearly forgotten singer recorded in his prime, a bass whose quality was as high as his notes were low, there is Oscar Natzke. For a still-celebrated singer at her linest in a recording new to the catalogue, Schwarzkopf's Wolf recital at Salzburg in 1958 is the nonpareil. Then for an hour's peace to meditate on the blessings of music at such instant command there is the first recording of two English Masses, one by Bernard Stevens, the other an early work of Howells, sung by the Finzi Singers whose records are earning their welcome as reliably as any.

Gay Bedford Argo (E) US 436 850-2ZH02 (9/93) The Era of Adelina Patti Various ArIi.,ls

Nimbus Prima Voce mono ID US N17840/41 (7193) Opera Arias and Songs Fog/re Symposium mono). )1125(6/93) Opera Arias and Songs ,Vat:ke Ode New Zealand Heritage Series mono /)') 1]) CDODEI365 (12/92) Wolf ScI,oarrkupIEMI Festspieldokumoeote mono US CD1-i7 64905-2 (10/93) Howells/Stevens Spicer Chandou ® US

CHAN902I (12/92)