Search - Stanislaw Moniuszko, Jacek Kaspszyk, Polish National Opera Orchestra - Warsaw :: Moniuszko: The Haunted Manor (Straszny Dwor)

A forgotten masterwork, a gem!

D. J. Edwards | Cheshire, CT United States | 02/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"How long has this cd been on the market? Impossible to imagine that no one else has neither heard the work, at least it would seem so, nor aware of its release. Very musical; its melodies flow a la Rossini, a la Verdi, and most of all a la Moniuszko. The only other work of his with which I am familiar is "Halka" and I regret that I no longer own the recording. Both works belong in any good opera collection. The singing and orchestral playing in "haunted Manor" are very good to excellent without any weak links. I wish opera companies in the U.S. would be more adventurous and bring these works to the stage. Another lost gem is Reznicek's "Donna Diana" which along with the "Haunted Manor" was well reviewed by Tower Record's critic as well as the Met's "Opera News" to mention only a few reviews. In my opinion they deserve a revival more than "Cyrano de Bergerac". Anyone who is unfamiliar with the "haunted Manor" owes to themselves to at least hear it. A wonderful stage work!"