The major companies may be lessening their opera output, however
independent companies have some exciting opera projects on the horizon.
There is a Fidelio (in English) and Death in Venice from Chandos, for
example.  Harmonia Mundi has released Mozart to great acclaimm - surely
they will follow this with a Zauberflote and Giovanni!  There is a Tristan
just out on an independent label (see www.tristanundisolde.com), a
complete Ring recorded live from the 2004 Adelaide Fesitval on SACD for
Melba Recordings ....

I wonder if this talk of the 'last great opera recording' is more hype
to promote the EMI Tristan recording than anything.

David Harbin
Nottingham, UK