She’s a big opera nerd, so is often intrigued by your specific choice of recording to illustrate or add flavour to a point. My prosaic supposition is that this may be shaped in part by copyright considerations (older recordings being in the public domain), but I wondered if there was more to it?

There is more to it. For instance, for the Act II Tosca finale featured today, even looking only at the public domain choices on my shelves - so, pre-1955 or pre-1965 recordings (depending on territory) and live performances from archive - I had over forty choices. And I listened to them.

Corelli and Tebaldi

You'd think. And it was actually the first I went to. But no. Young Renata just did not have the chest voice for that magical phrase "È morto. Or gli perdono!" and also kinda half-sings "E avanti a lui tremava tutta Roma". Have a listen to Adriana Guerrini, whom I used.

Thanks for the recommendation. Can't find a recording but her vissi d'arte is great.

I will link one when I add the notes to the episode tomorrow. A x

But she is also right in that, because my collecting core is of 50s vinyl, I find the sound of late Mono/early Stereo recordings the softest and fullest - and the conductors and singers who were active then superior by orders of magnitude to what followed. One last thing that might be of interest...

I've found, with some orchestral pieces, that the more pop recordings, which would ordinarily be low on a purist's list, like "Kostelanetz & His Orchestra", "Boston Strings", "Hollywood Bowl" etc. have arrangements/tempi that are more accessible and a middle-of-the-road aesthetic richness to them. x

Something by you — pod type thing, article/blog, occasional bluesky thread, whatever — on your favourite recordings (and comparing recordings) would be fascinating, if you ever had the time and inclination.

Thank you for taking the time to elaborate! And it is interesting to have a bit more insight into the aesthetic aspects of the decision making process.

I will make sure to flag all of this to @stridelatrampa.bsky.social for her consideration.

What a fabulous handle!

I thought you might like it! 😉

I love that era sonically too. I am often amazed just how much they managed to get onto the tape in those days.

While I applaud your dedication to your self-imposed quest, and am sure that it was hardly drudgery... my word man, do you never sleep? :D Look forward to listening to the new drop.

I doesn't currently FEEL as if I do. But I only know what I need when I hear it. On the Tosca thing it had to be neither so old-fashioned that it was ridiculous, nor so restrained that it was not melodramatic. I think Adriana Guerrini, whom I chose in the end, is blood-curdling.