CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Fantasia 2000

starring: Kathleen Battle, Paul Brizzi, Hendel Butoy, Eric Goldberg, Ralph Grierson
directed by: Paul Brizzi, Hendel Butoy, Eric Goldberg, James Algar, Francis Glebas

Release Date November 14, 2000
The original Fantasia is two hours long. Fantasia 2000 is only 75 minutes long. Sure, it's more attention-grabbing, but this is even less compelling than the original.

Beethoven's 5th is underused (only four minutes worth of music compared to the twenty minutes of the 6th). The second movement of "Pines of Rome" by Ottonio Respighi is entirely cut out. WHY? The Finale to "Carnival of the Animals" is more bombastic than it should be. "Rhapsody in Blue" by George Gershwin has some good points, so no loss there. "Pomp and Circumstance" by Sir Edward Elgar is a hit and miss. Donald Duck is supposed to be a nonchalant, hot-headed duck, but I guess political correctness got its wish here. Shostakovich's "Piano Concerto" is uninteresting, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Mozart - Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) / Levine, Battle, Serra, Metropolitan Opera

starring: Kathleen Battle, Francisco Araiza, Manfred Hemm, Kurt Moll, Luciana Serra
directed by: Brian Large

Release Date December 12, 2000
For me, the beauty of this Met production was every aria Kathleen Battle participated in. I've read all the stories about her arrogance and general over-the-top "diva-ness", but she certainly has an amazing voice. I've not heard a better Pamina. She brought tears to my eyes.

Manfred Hemm's Papageno is wonderfully acted. He charms the audience and extracts maximum effect from the comedic portions of his part.

This is by far the finest "Flute" production I've seen and heard.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Donizetti - L'Elisir d'Amore

starring: Luciano Pavarotti, Kathleen Battle, Juan Pons, Enzo Dara, James Levine
directed by: John Copley

Release Date May 10, 2005
Biscuits O'bryan: Texas Storyteller (Texas Heritage)
This opera, like most,has a silly love story, but the music is spectacular, especially Pavarotti's aria, "Una Furtiva Lagrima." That song alone makes this a worthwhile purchase.

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Orff - Carmina Burana/Beethoven - Symphony No. 9

starring: Kathleen Battle, Thomas Allen, Frank Lopardo, Paul Groves, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
directed by: Seiji Ozawa

Release Date June 15, 2004
This is the best version of Carmina Burana I have ever seen. I saw it on a local PBS station and have been trying to find it ever since. I was delighted to discover it.

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

A Carnegie Hall Christmas Concert / Frederica von Stade, Kathleen Battle, Wynton Marsalis

starring: Wynton Marsalis; Kathleen Battle; Frederica von Stade
directed by: Andre Previn

Release Date July 31, 2007
Every December, I watch this production several times and it never fails to work its magic. Frederica von Stade and Kathleen Battle present a marvelous picture and produce the sound to complement it. Purchase this DVD and you are ensuring yourself an enjoyable evening of viewing that will put you in the holiday spirit and remind you how beautiful Christmas carols can be. And you will likely also find yourself inspired to add a night at the opera to your New Year's list.

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Herbert Von Karajan - His Legacy for Home Video - Mozart - Don Giovanni

starring: Samuel Ramey, Anna Tomowa-Sintow, Gösta Winbergh, Paata Burchuladze, Julia Varady
directed by: Claus Viller

Release Date August 29, 2000
This DVD of Mozart's Don Giovanni is a really good one by my standards. The top-notch cast, brilliant scenery and costumes, and wonderful orchestra make this one of my favorite Don's ever. I personally don't like Herbert von Karajan, but I learned to tolerate him. Samuel Ramey as the vile Don was a great casting decision. He blends vivacity and vileness it one very impressive package. Anna Tomowa-Sintow is a brilliant Donna Anna. Her high notes are absolutely stunning and sings with a firm foundation. The Don Ottavio of Gosta Winbergh is stunning, but he lacked something. Nevertheless he was very pleasing. The Commendatore of Paata Burchuladze is good for all that he's in. Now for the best: Julia Varady as Donna Elvira. I think she was Karajan's substitute for ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Vangelis: Mythodea (Music for the NASA Mission: 2001 Mars Odyssey)

starring: Kathleen Battle, Blake Neely, Declan Lowney

Release Date February 19, 2002
Mythodea is still a captivating escape years later because it embodies an element of universal awe and soul shivering ecstasy that is enhanced in an outdoor live concert setting. Images fade in an out of a mazarine background pinpricked with stars and seem to enhance the music, although most of the images are statues.

The entire concert is spellbinding in its heights, although it feels ominous at times in the depths of thunderous revelations. Throughout the first few movements there is a sense of anticipation and then the fascinating world-renowned sopranos, Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman bring in an element of emotional complexity.

The Ancient open-air setting at Athen's Temple of Zeus, a 120-member chorus and Vangelis on electronic ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Richard Strauss - Ariadne auf Naxos / Levine, Norman, Battle, Troyanos, Metropolitan Opera

starring: Jessye Norman, Kathleen Battle, Tatiana Troyanos, James King (IV), Franz Ferdinand Netwig
directed by: Brian Large

Release Date September 24, 2002
This is a charming production, with Jessye Norman particularly shining. For some reason, the audience seems to really give Kathleen Battle the louder applause. Don't get me wrong. She sings the part with a bit of comical mood and is quite charming. However, the larger-than-life performance and presence of Norman as Ariadne is the real show-stealer.

Admittedly, James King is a bit uneven. From afar, he sounds okay, but as he comes closer and starts singing with Norman in the duet, he is not as strong. But all in all, higly recommended. The rehearsal (extra feature) is a nice touch too.

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Herbert von Karajan - His Legacy for Home Video: The New Year's Concert 1987

starring: Herbert von Karajan, Kathleen Battle

Release Date December 08, 1998
'Nuff said. Get Carlos Kleiber (either one) or, even better, the very recent Georges Pretre.

By comparison with either Kleiber or Pretre, Karajan's approach is rigid, power-thirsty, cold-blooded, altogether unsatisfactory.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

New Year's Eve Concert 1992 - Richard Strauss Gala / Claudio Abbado, Berlin Philharmonic, Kathleen Battle, Frederica von Stade, Renee Fleming

starring: Kathleen Battle; Frederica von Stade; Wynton Marsalis
directed by: Claudio Abbado

Release Date July 31, 2007
I first saw this concert when it was broadcast on New Years Eve 1992 (back with PBS used to carry the Berlin show) and was completely blown away. I was looking for this DVD for years and recently acquired it. My impression hasn't changed in the intervening years. The Berlin Philharmonic and Abbado are in great form throughout. Argerich in the Strauss Burleske is her usual amazing self, and the final scene from Rosenkavalier is lovely, with Battle in good form not too long before her MET firing, Von Stade in great form, and Renee Fleming before she became a huge star. Spectacular.