The latest releases reviewed

TORROBA: LUISA FERNANDA

Soloists: Placido Domingo, Nancy Herrera, Jose Bros, Mariola Cantarero. Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro Real, Madrid

Opus Arte

*****

Zarzuela is an operatic art form rooted in Spanish musical and dramatic tradition, the origins of which go back to the 17th century. Its period of greatest popularity was the early 20th century when touring groups spread a performing tradition in the towns and villages all across the Hispanic world. Placido Domingo's parents were both Zarzuela singers, and he himself started his career in this genre. In general, Zarzuela consists of tuneful melodies and choruses linked by spoken dialogue within conventional romantic plot lines. Luisa Fernanda, regarded in Spain as one of the greatest Zarzuelas, is full of lush romantic melody, and here cast and conductor deliver a beautiful performance in a lavish production. This release is welcome not only as an introduction to this art form but also for its own intrinsic merits.  www.opusarte.com COLMAN MORRISSEY

DENNIS WILSON

Forever

Sony BMG

**

Beware the DVD cover emblazoned with the words "interviews with the people who knew him best". Ordinarily, this means brief conversations with peripheral figures who have no more insight into the subject than they have into nuclear physics. This slight documentary negotiates a path between these peripheral figures and some key people that had more than a passing acquaintanceship with the Beach Boy drummer (Al Jardine, Dean Torrence, Desi Arnaz Jnr, Ricky Fataar, Jeff 'Skunk' Baxter, various family members). Produced and directed by Wilson's brother-in- law Billy Hinsche, this is more fond recollection than critical appraisal, with any rough edges of the hard-living Beach Boys member smoothed out by rose-tinted memories. For all that, an interesting, if niche, documentary that includes rare footage of The Beach Boys from 1974.  www.billyhinsche.com TONY CLAYTON-LEA