Opera Now
CD Choice

'This disc focuses on the achievements of an artist quite rightly described in the booklet as 'Britain's premier buffo baritone' and presents him in a series of roles from this repertoire, in which he graced our stages and those of other countries for a number of years... There are many strands to a buffo's art, but clean and immediate diction is certainly of the essence, and in these English versions he doesn't miss a trick. Each piece comes over with the spontaneity and verve of a lively performance...and Shore is marvellously partnered by singers with whom he has often shared the stage - notably Barry Banks, Mary Plazas and Della Jones.'
1 Donizetti's The Elixir of Love Dulcamara's Cavatina
'Attention! Attention!' with Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
2 Nemorino & Dulcamara's Recitative & Duet
'Good doctor, beg your pardon'
with Barry Banks, tenor (PMF Scholar)
3 Adina & Dulcamara's Duet
'How he loved me!' - 'With a look of love...'
with Mary Plazas, soprano (PMF Scholar)
4 Act II finale 'It will give you cheeks like peaches.'
with PMF Scholars, Mary Plazas, soprano
& Barry Banks, tenor, Ashley Holland, baritone
& Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
5 Rossini's The Barber of Seville Bartolo's Aria
'Dare you offer such excuses'
6 Rossini's The Italian Girl in Algiers Isabella & Taddeo's Duet
'All the changes in my fortune' - 'Ah, yes, as friends united'
with Della Jones, mezzo-soprano
7 Mozart's Don Giovanni Leporello's Catalogue Aria
'Look here: this not so little volume'
8 Donizetti's Don Pasquale Malatesta & Pasquale's Duet
'She'll be here by midday ' with Jason Howard, baritone
9 Pasquale & Norina's Duet
'Well good evening! You're in a hurry'
with Lynne Dawson, soprano
10 Malatesta & Pasquale's Duet
'Don Pasquale ...' - 'Ah brother... a living corpse is standing here before you' with Jason Howard, baritone
11 Verdi's Falstaff Honour monologue 'Hey, Page boy!'

Philharmonia Orchestra & London Philharmonic Orchestra - David Parry - conductor
English National Opera Orchestra - Gabriele Bellini & Paul Daniel - conductors
Recorded in Blackheath Halls, London 7-11 February 1999 - tracks 1-4; 12-16 March 2000 - track 6;
22-27 August 2000 - track 7; 15, 17, 18, 20 & 21 November 1997 - tracks 8-10; 27 May-3 June - track 11; Goldsmiths College, London, 9-14 August 1994 - track 5
Producer - Brian Couzens, Sound engineers - Ralph Couzens & Jonathan Cooper (Falstaff)
Mastering engineer - Michael Common
CHAN 3077
Great Operatic Arias - Andrew Shore