Franz Lehár: The Merry Widow

Die lustige Witwe (The Merry Widow), operetta
Composed by Franz Lehar
Performed by Philharmonia Chorus, London Philharmonia Orchestra
with Hanny Steffek, Josef Knapp, Hans Strohbauer, Franz Boheim, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Kurt Equiluz, Eberhard Wachter, Nicolai Gedda
Conducted by Hugh Bean, Lovro von Matacic

Franz Lehár: The Merry Widow,Eberhard Wächter,Josef Knapp,Franz Lehar,Hugh Bean,Lovro von Matacic,Philharmonia Chorus,Philharmonia Orchestra of London,Elisabeth Schwarzkopf,Hanny Steffek,Hans Strohbauer,Kurt Equiluz,Nicolai Gedda,Angel Records,Classical,Classical Music,German/Austrian Operetta,Opera,Opera / Operetta / Oratorio

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Here's what the fuss was all about!
Beverly Sills - The Best
Beverly Sills' highs are breathtaking!
THE 2005 OPERA CD OF THE YEAR
EMI Does It Again: Beverly Sills - A Tribute

The Very Best of Beverly Sills

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

The Great Recordings
Beverly Sills: Made in America
Art of Beverly
Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor: Complete Opera (with full libretto and translation)
Verdi: La Traviata / Sills, Gedda, Panerai; Ceccato

ASIN: B0006VYELE
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

Una Voce Poco Fa - Sherrill Milnes
Dunque Io Son - Sherrill Milnes
Contro Un Cor - Sherrill Milnes
Ah, Qual Colpo Inaspetatto! - Sherrill Milnes
E Il Sol Dell'anima... Addio! Speranza Ed Anima - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Gualtier Malde... Caro Nome - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Tutte Le Feste Al Tempio... Compiuto Pur Quanto... Si, Vendetta - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
V'ho Ingannato... Lassu In Cielo - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Quel Guardo Il Cavaliere... So Anch'io La Virtu Magica - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Pronta Io Son... Vado, Corro - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Via, Caro Sposino - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Tornami A Dir Che M'ami - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
La Morale In Tutto Questo - Ambrosian Opera Chorus

Tracks:

Vilia - Beverly Sills
Ah! Je Suis Seule... Dis-Moi Que Je Suis Belle - Beverly Sills
Cielo! Che Diverro?... Si, ferite... Dal Soggiorno... Ah! Che Spiegar - Beverly Sills
Libiamo Ne' Lieti Calici - John Alldis Choir
Un Di Felice, Eterea - John Alldis Choir
E Strano... Ah, Fors'e Lui... Follie! Follie!... Sempre Libera - John Alldis Choir
Pura Siccome Un Angelo... Ah! Dite Alla Giovine - John Alldis Choir
Che Fai? - John Alldis Choir
Addio Del Passato - John Alldis Choir
Parigi, O Cara - John Alldis Choir

Amazon.com

Beverly Sills hardly needs an introduction. She sang on the radio as a child and on the operatic stage as a teenager; her meteoric international career was launched by appearances in several virtually unknown bel canto operas at the New York City Opera. This compilation of arias and ensembles from some of her signature roles, recorded in the 1970s, with splendid partners like Nicolai Gedda, Alfredo Kraus, and Sherrill Milnes, displays her unique vocal and dramatic artistry at its peak. Her voice, effortlessly produced over an enormous range, is bright, pure, infinitely variable in color, inflection and intensity. Her intonation is impeccable even in huge leaps, and her breath is endless. The coloratura roulades are like strings of perfect, luminous pearls, clearly articulated in seamless legato. But this stunning technique (whose only flaw is a sometimes wide, wobbly vibrato) is never used for show; every note has life and expression, serving the music and the dramatic situation. Indeed, her characters are flesh-and-blood human beings, whose thoughts, emotions and interactions, from inwardness to ecstasy, from lamentation to overflowing joy, she projects with riveting concentration. Rosina in Rossini's The Barber of Seville is a charming, mischievous minx who succumbs to delighted tenderness; Pamira's great scene from his Siege of Corinth shows clearly why her Metropolitan Opera debut in that role was a sensation. In Verdi's Rigoletto, Gilda's hopeful innocence turns into hopeless despair: she dies, palpably, on a floating, celestial pianissimo. In his La traviata, Violetta's initial cool, hesitant restraint gradually melts as she opens herself (and her voice) to Alfredo's ardor and the bliss of love. The vocal balance in their final duet is uncanny; its tremulous tenderness in the shadow of death breaks the heart, as does her duet with Germont. Massenet's Thais is sensuous; Donizetti's Don Pasquale and Lehár's The Merry Widow provide comic relief. --Edith Eisler

Album Description

Details TBA. EMI. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

Here's what the fuss was all about!.......2007-07-17

It would have been even better if they had included at least one Cleopatra aria and something from Baby Doe, but it doesn't really matter, because this collection will allow younger listeners especially to hear what the fuss was all about! There are moments listening to Sills, especially from Traviata or Manon, that are so beautifully sung and so genuine that they are heartbreaking. I feel so fortunate to have heard her Queen of the Night, Manon, Violetta, and Baby Doe. She was so generous as a performer and as a humanitarian, and she really brought opera into the American mainstream.

Beverly Sills - The Best.......2007-04-01

What a voice. No coloratura can compare, and she makes it seem so easy.

Beverly Sills' highs are breathtaking!.......2006-09-18

Adio del Passato is incredible! Beverly's high, floating coloratura is no less than ethereal which takes you to another world. Her voice has given me so much joy that it is hard to say one recording is better than another because I love her Mozart album equally with her Bellini/Donizetti. It is so wonderful to have these recordings captured on CD! Enjoy!

THE 2005 OPERA CD OF THE YEAR.......2006-08-19

THIS CD WAS THE BEST OPERA CD ISSUED LAST YEAR, AND HAS CAUGHT THE WORLD'S EAR IN NO TIME. I WAS BUSY WRITING IN SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL, WHILE THE STATEOWNED FM RADIOSTATION, DEDICATED TO CULTURE, WAS SOFTLY PLAYING OPERA ARIAS IN THE BACKGROUND. SUDDENLY I HEARD THE MOST FANTASTIC RENDERING OF "SEMPRE LIBERA" FROM "LA TRAVIATA". I GOT UP, SAT BY THE RADIO AND WAITED TO KNOW WHO WAS SINGING... THEN GOT BACK TO THE COMPUTER TO ORDER THIS CD FROM AMAZON! INCREDIBLE: ONLY 17 BUCKS FOR THIS, WHILE QUITE A BIT OF TRASH IS SOLD FOR 30.40 AND MORE...
A LADY FRIEND ONCE TOLD ME SHE COULD NOT LISTEN TO THE DUET IN "MADAMA BUTTERFLY" WITH MIRELLA FRENI AND LUCIANO PAVAROTTI (RECORDED IN 1974, BY VON KARAJAN) WITHOUT CRYING. WELL, YOU CANNOT LISTEN TO SILLS IN "LA TRAVIATA" DRY-EYED, NO MATTER WHO THE TENOR IS. SHE PROJECTS THE SAME DRAMATIC FEELING OF "LA DIVINA" CALLAS WITHOUT THOSE SHRIEKED HIGHNOTES; SHE OFFERS THE SAME COLORATURA VOCAL GYMNASTICS AS "LA STUPENDA" SUTHERLAND BUT WITH WARMTH... WHEN BEVERLY SANG, AS IN EVERYTHING ELSE SHE DID, SHE ALWAYS GAVE HER UTMOST. SHE WAS "LA GENEROSA" TO BE SURE.
DON'T JUST SIT THERE READING WHAT OTHERS THINK.
ORDER THIS CD NOW AND MARVEL AT HOW THIS GREAT AMERICAN LADY, IN SO MANY OTHER WAYS, ALSO COULD SING!

EMI Does It Again: Beverly Sills - A Tribute.......2005-07-22

EMI's "Very Best Of" series are perfect introductions to operatic singers of the 20th century. Once you hear these artist tribute albums (much like The Singers series) you will get hooked on the singer and seek out their full-length studio recordings. Beverly Sills was the first truly famous American opera star. One may argue that she was not, that she was merely a continued tradition of American divas such as Mary Garden and Lily Pons and which still continues today with Renee Fleming, Elizabeth Futral and Susan Graham. Beverly was raised in New York City, which is still her home, and which is the home of the New York City Opera and the Met, opera houses which rocketed her to fame. Her first success (not featured in this recording...UH WHY ?) was Cleopatra of Handel's Julius Caesar, a performance she sang opposite the illustrious baritone Norman Treigle. Those performances were legendary because coincidentally at the same time the Met was opening its new theatre and season with what became a disastrous Samuel Barber's Antony and Cleopatra starring Leontyne Price in an overblown, big-budget, epic fiasco. The great roles that followed the 1965 Cleopatra were Manon, Queen Elizabeth I in Roberto Deveraux, Maria Stuarda and Anna Bolena in the Donizetti Tudor Queen operas, Pamira in The Siege of Corinth (which were Sill's La Scala and belated Met debut. None of the Queens are featured in this recording, though its supposedly the Very Best Of. An aria from Rossini's Siege of Corinth is featured here however. What we are treated to however are fine lyric roles- Beverly Sills shone brightly and acted convincingly as Gilda in Rigoletto (the final scene is featured here) as Violetta in La Traviata, Thais, The Merry Widow (the beautiful Vilja is featured here)and the ingenue role of Norina in Don Pasquale is also showcased here. To each of these roles, Beverly Sills delivered an authenticity and dramatic interpretation, not ot mention beautiful, sweet tone. I love her pianissimos, her high notes, her chest register. It was the voice of Beverly Sills who first hooked me into opera. For a recording that should showcase her best work, Manon is not featured nor any of her prized French heroines- Marie in The Daughter of the Regiment and the heroines in Tales of Hoffman. Also not in here is the role that was her first success- the Broadway opera Ballad of Baby Doe. Even as such, the arias here are gorgeous. The Barber of Seville is in here and as Rosina she is playful and charming. Sills was a modern singer, with a voice that was beautiful but willing to sacrifice beauty for the sake of dramatic content. When Sills was once asked what she thought of the supposed rivalry with Joan Sutherland (which was never real and only gossip from partisan fans) Beverly said something to this effect -Joan and I are apples and oranges in our take on opera, we are Picasso and Monet. She would do anything for the effect of beauty and tone, I'd sacrifice beauty for the sake of dramatic text. Even as such, I see no ugliness to any of the roles here. All of them are beautiful to hear, full of rich floating celestial tones. It would have been nice to hear the roles that did call for Sills to step up the tense drama - Norma, will her recording ever be reissued by EMI ? Also, few people know that Beverly Sills sung role most would consider dangerous for her voice (though she sang them long before her career even took off)- Aida and Carmen!!

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Beautiful waltzes conducted by a master of the genre.

Lehár: Waltzes

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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The Best of Operetta, Vol. 1
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The Best of Operetta, Vol. 3
The Best of Operetta, Vol. 2
Viennese Violin: The Romantic Music of Lehár, Kreisler & Strauss

ASIN: B00005NPJC
Release Date: 2003-03-25

Tracks:

Gold And Silver, Op.79
Ballsirenen (On Themes from 'The Merry Widow')
Where The Lark Sings
Giuditta
Luxembourg (On Themes from 'The Count Of Luxembourg')
Gypsy Love
Eva

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful waltzes conducted by a master of the genre........2003-08-31

Franz Lehar is most famous for his operetta "The Merry Widow," but he wrote several other tuneful operettas -- including "The Count of Luxembourg" -- as well as many delightful waltzes, the most famous of which is the great "Gold and Silver Waltz." This CD presents the "Gold and Silver Waltz," plus a collage of tunes from "The Merry Widow" and another from "The Count of Luxembourg," and other waltzes. The performances are by the Johann Strauss Orchestra conducted by the great waltz conductor Willy Boskovsky. If you love fine waltzes or simply are one of the few people who still appreciate the great music of the Romantic era, please get this delightful bargain CD while it's still available. Unfortunately, EMI CDs are often withdrawn shortly after their release. Please don't let this one get away from you.

Average customer rating:

Fine anthology but still prefer her "Four Last Songs" recording
RIP DAME ELIZABETH (1915-2006)
SCHWARZKOPF ----- ONE OF THE GREATS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
¡PERFECT!
PERFECTA INTERPRETACIÓN

The Very Best of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf

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Binding: Audio CD

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Great Recordings Of The Century - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf Sings Operetta / Ackermann
Strauss: Four Last Songs/12 Orchestral Songs
Schubert: 24 Lieder
Mozart: Opera Arias
Strauss - Der Rosenkavalier / Schwarzkopf · Ludwig · Karajan

ASIN: B0000AF1SC
Release Date: 2003-09-02

Tracks:

Ach War Ich Schon (Fidelio)
Non So Piu (Le Nozze Di Figaro)
Porgi, Amor (Le Nozze Di Figaro)
E Susanna Non Vien!...Dove Sono (Le Nozze Di Figaro)
Mi Tradi Quell'Alma Ingrata (Don Giovanni)
Come Scoglio (Cosi Fan Tutti)
Leise, Leise, Fromme Weise (Der Freischutz)
Dich, Teure Halle (Tannhauser)
Einsam In Truben Tagen (Lohengrin)
Wie Fremd Und Tot (Die Verkaufte Braut)
Bruderchen, Komm, Tanz Mit Mir (Hansel Und Gretel)
Da Geht Er Hin (Der Rosenkavalier)
Es Gibt Ein Reich (Ariadne Auf Naxos) - Richard Strauss
Das War Sehr Gut (Arabella)

Tracks:

Jauchzet Gott In Allen Landen
Bist Du Bei Mir
Ridente La Calma
An Die Musik
Der Musensohn
Nachtviolen
Der Musensohn
Auch Kleine Dinge
Mein Liebster Ist So Klein
Verschling' Der Abgrund
Ich Hab' In Penna
Wiegenlied Im Sommer
Mausfallenspruchlein
In Dem Schatten Meiner Locken
Mignon (Kennst Du Das Land?)
Gsatzli (Swiss Folksong)
Fruhling
Im Abendrot
Muttertandelei
Zueignung
Klange Der Heimat (Die Fledermaus)
Es Lebt'Eine Vilja (Die Lustige Witwe)
Im Chambre Separee (Der Opemball)
Wien, Du Stadt Meiner Traume

Amazon.com

Elisabeth Schwarzkopf was certainly one of the greatest singers of her own, or indeed any other time. An obsessive perfectionist, her flawless technique and intonation over a huge range, vocal flexibility, breath control, phrasing, stylistic versatility, and above all her focused, radiantly beautiful sound were matchless and incomparable. All these are on full display on this generous 2-CD set, which features over a dozen arias, songs by Schubert, Wolf and Richard Strauss, and some lighter fare. The recordings were made between 1950 and 1967, and the singing becomes better and better, the voice richer and more varied, the expression deeper and more immediate. Not surprisingly, the peaks come in the arias from her signature roles in Mozart's Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Cosi fan tutte; Richard Strauss' Ariadne, Rosenkavalier, and Arabella, which rise to real ecstasy; and arias from Weber's Freischütz and Smetana's Bartered Bride, which are wonderfully intimate and touching. She is less convincing in roles she never sang on stage, and the "childish" voice she cultivated especially for Hänsel and Gretel is unnatural and contrived. The same is true of the last two "popular" numbers, which sound condescending and artificial. The songs, however, have all her customary finesse and inwardness; the Wolf group, perhaps chosen for its gentle humor, is charming, while Strauss' "Four Last Songs" (represented by two) shimmer and soar. Schwarzkopf's singing had instantly recognizable characteristics: a tendency to hold back both vocally and emotionally, giving a sense of noble restraint, but also of cool detachment; excessive use of color and nuance, creating a fussy, calculated and somewhat artificial air. Only rarely does she "let go" with full voice and spontaneous feeling. However, as these recordings show, she invariably inspires admiration and captures ear and heart through the inimitable, glorious beauty of her voice. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Fine anthology but still prefer her "Four Last Songs" recording.......2006-11-06

The engineering and audio quality of these 1960's performances are surprisingly good. The songs are wonderfully peformed and cover a range of periods and styles, but I find myself returning to her recording (also re-released on CD) of Strauss' "Four Last Songs", which I would give 6 stars -- my favorite recording of all time.

RIP DAME ELIZABETH (1915-2006).......2006-08-04

This set is a fine tribute to this extraordinary singer and musician. I was saddened to read about her passing. She had a long life (90 years) and inspired a whole generation of singers and music lovers throughout the world.

SCHWARZKOPF ----- ONE OF THE GREATS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY.......2006-01-29

Elisabeth Schwarzkopf's career is what legends are made of. She is every bit as fundamental to classical singing in the twentieth century as is Maria Callas. Schwarzkopf sang with refinement, polish, beauty of voice, and meticulous articulation. She was the greatest Mozart and Strauss soprano of her day; her ability to sing the operetta music of Lehar, Suppe', and Johann Strauss has not been equalled; she performed with distinction orchestral compositions of Mahler, Brahms, Bach, and Handel; her Schubert, Schumann, Wolf, and Mahler lieder were exemplary. She sang many operatic roles, far more than many people realize, and was certainly the definitive Marshallin in "Rosenkavalier" throughout the 1950's and 1960'. I saw her many times in recital in Chicago, and even at the time of her farewell (which I was fortunate enough to see), she was sublime. All of the superlative qualities of Schwarzkopf are generously demonstrated throughout these two wonder CD's. Virtually every item is magnificent (though obviously some will prefer some to others) and has the detailed Schwarzkopf imprint stamped right into the music. This CD, great as it is, represents only a very small part of the greatness of Schwarzkopf. I already own tons of her operas and recitals, from which many of the items here come from. But for the sake of completeness, I will probably add it. A person who loves great singing can never have too much of the art of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. She's a vocal icon.

¡PERFECT!.......2005-02-10

I only want to say that you can hear, in this double cd, one of the great singers of all time. Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. Why? Because she sings all the arias and lieder with pure of tone, brilliance, perfect inflexion, modulation, excellent control breath, measured vibrato, and, all above, great emision of colours. She is master in this art.

PERFECTA INTERPRETACIÓN.......2005-02-09

La mejor recopilación de la discografía de Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. Su belleza de voz, la impecable hilación de frases, y, sobre todo, su expresiva interpretación son algunas de las sorpresas que se podrán escuchar en estos dos discos. Sin duda, UNA DE LAS MEJORES SOPRANOS DEL SIGLO XX.

Average customer rating:

SImply Untrue
an extra star for all the guest artists
An Homage to a Great Artist
superb vocals

The Very Best of Thomas Hampson
Marc Barrard , Thomas Hampson , Csaba Airizer , Georges Bizet , Charles Wakefield Cadman , Stephen Foster , Charles Gounod , Edvard Grieg , Charles Tomlinson Griffes , Imre (Emmerich) Kalman , Erich Wolfgang Korngold , Franz Lehar , Gustav Mahler , Jules Massenet , Giacomo Meyerbeer , Gioachino Rossini , Franz Schubert , Robert Schumann , Johann II Strauss , Ambroise Thomas , Giuseppe Verdi , Richard Wagner , Carl Maria von Weber , Antonio de Almeida , Antonio Pappano , Eugene Kohn , and Fabio Luisi
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Song of America
No Tenors Allowed: Famous Duets for Baritone and Bass
Arias - Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert
Christmas with Thomas Hampson
Leading Man

ASIN: B0006VYEI2
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

La Ran La Lera...Largo Al Factotum
O Sainte Medaille...Avant De Quitter Ces Lieux
Ce Breuvage...Vision Fugitive
C'est Toi...Au Fond Du Temple Saint - Placido Domingo
La Fatigue Alourdit Mes Pas...Comme Une Pale Fleur
Ecoute!...Dieu, Tu Semas Dans Nos Ames
C'est Mon Jour Supreme
Tout Est Desert...Son Regard
Ove Son Io?...Vada In Fiamme
Perfidi! All'Anglo Contro Me...Pieta, Rispetto Amore
Di Provenza Il Mar, Il Suol
E Sogno? O Realta?
Komm!
Der Garten Des Herzens
Lied Des Venezianischen Gondoliers
Le Lazzarone
L'Ultimo Ricordo

Tracks:

Mein Sehnen, Mein Wahnen
Wo Berg' Ich Mich?...So Weih' Ich Mich Den Rachgewalten
Wie Todesahnung...O Du Mein Holder Abendstern
Gruss Op.48 No.1
Im Wunderschonen Monat Mai
Aus Meinen Tranen Spriessen
Die Rose, Die Lilie
Ich Will Meine Seele Tauchen
Ich Grolle Nicht
Gute Nacht
Die Post
Blicke Mir Nicht In Die Lieder
Ich Atmet' Einen Linden Duft
Ich Bin Der Welt Abhanden Gekommen
Von Der Schonheit
O Vaterland, Du Machst Bei Tag
Als Flotter Geist
Komm, Zigany
An Old Song Re-Sung
At Dawning (I Love You) Op.29 No.1 - Armen Guzelimian
Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair
Beautiful Dreamer

Album Description

Details TBA. EMI. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

SImply Untrue.......2006-08-16

The previous review is simply a gross falsification. I have been an obsessed opera fan for a long time, and Thomas Hampson is a truly special singer. He is not the possesor of the largest or most interesting voice, which he will tell you and indeed says so all the time. His commitment to text, his willingness to search out parts to fit his voice, and his dedication to art song make im invaluable to Americans as a ture Troubador. His light Baritone was ideally suited to Figaro and to Valentin and the art song he loves. He must stretch to sing Verdi, where his voice sounds dry and small but many singers have chanced Verdi at their peril, and his innate ablity to inhabit a song, here evidenced in Di Provenza overcomes fact that it is out of his fach. You misinformed opinion of Hampson is mean and strangly bitter. I love Opera, but I do not love every singer, which doesn't mean I debase their very artistic existance. I have seen Hampson live, and have loved him (in Thias) and somewhat disliked him (in Simon Boccanegra) As for him being pretentious, somwetimes I find him mannered, but always charming. SOmetimes Intellectualism can appear pretentious, but surely you wont hold an opera singer to the charge that he must be unintellectual. what a vitriolic review, please buy this Cd, it merits repeated listening to a true American SINGER,

an extra star for all the guest artists.......2006-05-08

The title of this album is an oxymoron. Or a sick joke. I can't decide. Sure he has made millions by luring the uninitiated listener into his web of deceit and conceit, but don't be fooled any longer. How fortunate Hampson has been to sing for and with great artists to shoulder his heavy load.

An Homage to a Great Artist.......2005-10-30

EMI is wisely creating a series of recordings to gather the moments of artists that showcase the very reasons they become so highly regarded. Usually these collections are produced late in careers or even posthumously, but in the case of THE VERY BEST OF THOMAS HAMPSON the artist is still one of the more active and premiere singers of our day. Yet while he doesn't still perform all of these inclusions, it is wonderful to have excerpts from various successful recordings to remind us of the artistry that Hampson represents.

The two disc set includes arias from operas: Rossini's 'Il barbière di Siviglia', von Weber's 'Euryanthe', Gounod's 'Faust', Massenet's 'Hérodiade', Bizet's 'Les Pêcheurs de perles' (in duet with Placido Domingo), Thomas' 'Hamlet', Verdi's 'Don Carlo', 'Il Travatore', 'Macbeth', 'La Traviata', and 'Falstaff', Korngold's 'Die Tote Stadt', and Wagner's 'Tannhäuser'.

But the rewards of a Hampson recording must include his impeccable career as a lieder stylist and on this recording are excerpts from Schumann's 'Dichterliebe', Schubert's 'Winterreise', Mahler's 'Rückert Lieder' and 'Das Lied von der Erde', as well as songs by Meyerbeer, Rossini, Grieg, Kalman, and Lehar. And very importantly there are examples of American songs that Hampson has always emphasized in his recitals. Works by Stephen Foster, and two extraordinary works with the brilliant accompanist Armen Guzelimian - 'An Old Song Re-sung' by Griffes and 'At Dawning' by Charles Wakefield Cadman - round out this fine survey.

Not usually a collector of such 'recombinations', for this listener this album is so very fine that it deserves the attention of all those who appreciate the artistry of Thomas Hampson - then and now. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, October 05

superb vocals.......2005-08-07

Mr.Hampson really gets the chance to showcase his wonderful baritone voice in this "Best of" collection which includes excellent selections from his various other CDs. I like the diversity of the selections featuring operatic arias,works from classical composers, and folk songs. For Thomas hampson fans, as well as fans of the baritone voice, this CD is for them.

Average customer rating:

Ever-reigning Queen of Sopranos
Lucia Popp
Lucy: The Reigning Queen of Opera

The Very Best of Lucia Popp

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
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Artistry of Elly Ameling (Coll)

ASIN: B0000AHEAY
Release Date: 2003-09-02

Tracks:

Song To The Moon
Should I Ever Learn
How Confused I Feel
Solveig's Song
Solveig's Cradle Song
Amor Volat Undique
Stetit Puella
In Trutina
Vier Letzte Lieder
Vier Letzte Lieder
Vier Letzte Lieder
Vier Letzte Lieder
Symphony No. 4 In G
Tatiana's Letter Scene

Tracks:

Un Cenno Leggiadretto
Ho Perduto Il Caro Sposo
O Had I Jubel's Lyre
Laudate Dominum
Welche Wonne, Welche Lust
Porgi, Amor
Voi Che Sapete
Giunse Alfin Il Momento...Deh Vieni, Non Tardar
Crudele?...Non Mi Dir
Come Scoglio
Una Donna A Quindici Anni
Der Holle Rache
Ach, Ich Fuhl's
Crucifixus
Die Forelle
Gretchen Am Spinnrade
An Sylvia
Zueignung
Es Lebt' Eine Vilja
Klange Der Heimat

Customer Reviews:

Ever-reigning Queen of Sopranos.......2007-05-28

Listening through these two discs, one thought kept leaping up to mind: will ever there be another soprano as versatile and accomplished as Lucia Popp? Died in 1994 at the early age of 54, the operatic world hadn't really mourned her enough.
People are still lingering on Maria Callas, the 'star' soprano with all her glamour and legendary life could offer.
Real listeners, however, could not give up the memory of Lucia Popp's terrific artistry and almost supernatural voice.
Her Rusalka, her Solveig, her Susanna, Zerlina, Despina in the da Ponte/Mozart trio, her terrific Queen of the Night (unsurpassed by ANY subsequent sopranos up till now), and ALSO her Pamina in the same opera. In any language you ask her to sing, and she excelled. I marvel at the Letter Scene in Eugene Onegin - only if Lucia had the chance to perform the whole opera during her short life! The joy, the expectation, the emotional tribulations, so vividly captured in girlish and pure timbre. No one will ever beat her; not even Fleming and Netrebko.
"Weird and wonderful" - that's what Elisabeth Schwarzkopf said of Lucia Popp's singing. We today would modify it to 'wonderful and unsurpassable'.
This 2-CD set is an absolute must have, even if you have never heard of Lucia Popp before.

Lucia Popp.......2006-01-12

This is a wonderful album showcasing the very best of Lucia Popp (as the title suggests). Her voice was absolutely beautiful. She could sing the slavic languages like no one else. Her version of Dvorak's Song to the Moon is unbeatable. I dare anyone to find a better performance! Also, the song from Die Zauberflute -Ah Ich fuls (sp?) is outstanding. I've yet to hear a better version. Her diction was fantastic and while she wasn't the highest soprano around - she knew what worked for her voice. This is album is a keeper!

Lucy: The Reigning Queen of Opera.......2004-07-12

Lucia Popp is one of the best sopranos to ever grace the operatic/classical voice stage. This CD compilation shows her progression through lyric Handel to lyric and dramatic Mozart (her Der Holle Rache from Magic Flute is unrivaled) to tender art song and operetta literature. The first disc also showcases her adeptness with 20th Century literature as well as the ability to step out of the traditional four languages of opera. Any avid music fan MUST have this CD compilation.

Lehár - The Merry Widow / Schwarzkopf, Wächter, Steffek, Gedda, Knapp, von Matacic

Average customer rating:

Excellent quality, but lots of talking!
IT'S "ABRIDGED', BUT WHAT A PERFORMANCE!!!!!!!!
Champagne all around--a great recording
ALERT !!!
37 years with this recording

Lehár - The Merry Widow / Schwarzkopf, Wächter, Steffek, Gedda, Knapp, von Matacic
Franz Lehár , Lovro von Matacic , Elisabeth Schwarzkopf , Eberhard Wächter , Philharmonia Chorus & Orchestra , Nicolai Gedda , Hanny Steffek , Peter Knapp , and Doreen Murray
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

J. Strauss: Die Fledermaus / Schwarzkopf, Gedda, Streich, Krebs, Kunz, Christ; Karajan
Richard Strauss - Capriccio / Schwarzkopf, Wächter, Gedda, Fischer-Dieskau, Hotter, Ludwig, Moffo, Philharmonia Orchestra, Sawallisch
Great Recordings Of The Century - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf Sings Operetta / Ackermann
Great Recordings Of The Century - Humperdinck: Hansel Und Gretel / Karajan, Schwarzkopf, Grummer, Metternich, et al
R. Strauss - Ariadne auf Naxos / Schwarzkopf · Seefried · Streich · Schock · Prey · PO · Karajan

ASIN: B00004VVZF
Release Date: 2000-08-15

Tracks:

Act One, No.1: Intro/Verehrteste Damen Und Herren - Philharmonia Orch/Lovro Von Matacic/Kurt Equiluz/Philharmonia Chor/Reinhold Schmid/Josef Knapp
Act One, No.1. Dialog: Danke, Danke, Meine Herrschaften - Josef Knapp/Hans Strohbauer/Kurt Equiluz/Hanny Steffek/Nicolai Gedda
Act One, No.2: So Kommen Sie! 'S Ist Niemand Hier! - Hanny Steffek/Nicolai Gedda
Act One, No.2: Ich Bin Eine Anstand'ge Frau - Hanny Steffek/Nicolai Gedda
Act One, No.2. Dialog: Nun, Njegus, Waren Sie Beim Grafen Danilo? - Josef Knapp/Franz Boheim/Kurt Equiluz/Hans Strohbauer
Act One, No.3. Dialog: Frau Glawari Darf Keinen Pariser Heiraten/Bitte, Meine Herrn - Josef Knapp/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Kurt Equiluz/Hans Strohbauer/Philharmonia Chor/Reinhold Schmid
Act One, No.3. Dialog: Gnadige Frau, Ich Rechne Es Mir Zur Hohen Ehre An - Josef Knapp/Nicolai Gedda/Hanny Steffek/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Hans Strohbauer/Kurt Equiluz...
Act One, No.3. Dialog: Also Bitte, Njegus, Ich Bin Hier/O Vaterland, Du Machst Bei Tag...Da Geh'... - Eberhard Wachter
Act One, No.4. Dialog: Njegus, Geliebter, Ich Bin Hier - Eberhard Wachter/Franz Boheim
Act One, No.4. Dialog: Bitte Noch, Bitte Noch - Hans Strohbauer/Kurt Equiluz/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Eberhard Wachter
Act One, No.4. Dialog: Na Endlich, Graf Danilo, Sind Sie Da!/No.6. Dialog: Weil - Weil - Mein... - Josef Knapp/Eberhard Wachter/Philharmonia Chor/Reinhold Schmid
Act One, No.6: Damenwahl! Hort Man Rufen Rings Im Saal! - Philharmonia Chor/Reinhold Schmid/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Eberhard Wachter/Kurt Equiluz...
Act One, No.6: Hilfe Kommt Zur Rechten Zeit! O Kommet Doch, O Kommt, Ihr Ballsirenen - Eberhard Wachter/Philharmonia Chor/Reinhold Schmid
Act One, No.6: O Vaterland, Du Machst Bei Tag...Der Junge Mann Tanzt Polka - Eberhard Wachter/Kurt Equiluz/Hans Strohbauer/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Hanny Steffek...
Act One, No.6: Pardon, Madame, Zuviel Reklam'! - Nicolai Gedda/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Eberhard Wachter/Hanny Steffek/Hans Strohbauer...
Act One, No.6: Der Letzte Ging, Sie Sind Befreit - Eberhard Wachter/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf

Tracks:

Act Two, No.7: Intro/Ich Bitte, Hier Jetzt Zu Verweilen - Philharmonia Orch/Lovro Von Matacic/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Act Two, No.7: Tanz: Mi Velimo Dase Dase Veslimo! - Philharmonia Chor/Reinhold Schmid
Act Two, No.7: Nun Lasst Uns Aber Wie Daheim...Es Lebt' Eine Vilja (Vilja-Lied)/Tanz: Mi Velimo... - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Philharmonia Chor/Reinhold Schmid
Act Two, No.7. Dialog: Was Sagen Sie, Njegus - Josef Knapp/Franz Boheim/Eberhard Wachter
Act Two, No.8. Dialog: Graf Danilo, Ich Wundere Mich/Heia, Madel, Aufgeschaut...Dummer, Dummer... - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Eberhard Wachter
Act Two, No.9. Dialog: Herr Von Cascada, Verzichten Sie Auf Die Witwe! Wie Die Weiber...Ja, Das... - Hans Strohbauer/Kurt Equiluz/Eberhard Wachter/Josef Knapp
Act Two, No.10. Dialog: Mein Tapferer Reitersmann/Tanz (Kolo) - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Eberhard Wachter
Act Two, No.10. Dialog: Sehen Sie, Da Wurde Ich Jetzt Zu Meinem Manne Sagen/Tanzduett (Walzer) - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Eberhard Wachter
Act Two, No.11. Dialog: Nein, Nein, Nein, Nein/Mein Freund, Vernunft! - Hanny Steffek/Nicolai Gedda
Act Two, No.11: Wie Eine Rosenknospe - Hanny Steffek/Nicolai Gedda
Act Two, No.11: Sieh Dort Den Kleinen Pavillon - Hanny Steffek/Nicolai Gedda
Act Two, No.11. Dialog: Die Baronin Und Herr Rosillon - Franz Boheim/Josef Knapp/Eberhard Wachter
Act Two, No.12: Ha! Ha! - Eberhard Wachter/Josef Knapp/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Hanny Steffek/Nicolai Gedda/Franz Boheim
Act Two, No.12: Wie Eine Rosenknospe - Nicolai Gedda/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Hanny Steffek/Eberhard Wachter/Josef Knapp
Act Two, No.12. Dialog: Nun Wissen Sie, Meine Herrschaften/Den Herrschaften Hab' Ich Was Zu... - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Philharmonia Chor/Reinhold Schmid/Nicolai Gedda/Hanny Steffek...
Act Two, No.12. Dialog: Meine Herrschaften/Ein Flotter Ehestand Soll's Sein...In Mir Tobt Es, In... - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Nicolai Gedda/Josef Knapp/Hanny Steffek/Philharmonia Chor/Reinhold Schmid...
Act Two, No.12: Es Waren Zwei Konigskinder - Eberhard Wachter/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Nicolai Gedda/Josef Knapp/Philharmonia Chor...
Zwischenspiel - Philharmonia Chor/Lovro Von Matacic
Act Three. Dialog: Njegus, Was Ist Das Fur Eine Musik? - Josef Knapp/Franz Boheim
Act Three, No.14: Ja, Wir Sind Es, Die Grisetten - Hanny Steffek/Eilidh McNab/Doreen Murray/Christine Parker/Rosemary Phillips/Noreen Willett...
Act Three, No.14. Dialog: Graf Danilo - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Eberhard Wachter
Act Three, No.15: Lippen Schweigen - Eberhard Wachter/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Act Three, No.15. Dialog: Oh, Ich Furchte, Wir Storen! - Josef Knapp/Eberhard Wachter/Hanny Steffek/Franz Boheim
Act Three, No.16: Ja, Das Studium Der Weiber Ist Schwer - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Josef Knapp/Eberhard Wachter/Nicolai Gedda/Hanny Steffek/Hans Strohbauer...

Customer Reviews:

Excellent quality, but lots of talking!.......2007-06-09

I actually bought this for my mom, who has the original recording on an LP. She said that this recording seems to have more talking than the original, and thus the magic and tempo of the original is compromised. It could be that she never heard the entire operetta since she is strictly an opera buff, but that said, she understands musicality and she didn't feel this particular CD captured the original integrity (even if this is one is actually more complete!).

IT'S "ABRIDGED', BUT WHAT A PERFORMANCE!!!!!!!!.......2006-08-04

I've heard more recordings of "The Merry Widow" than I can count, and many of them are enjoyable. None, however, has the infectious charm and elegance of this 1962 EMI version. True, the performance could probably have been accommodated on a single CD (with very few seconds to spare!), and yes, there are some cuts, but what is presented here constitutes something so special, so illuminating, and so magical that it hardly matters. Von Matacic shapes this cream puff of an operetta with even more verve that Otto Ackermann did on the previous 1953 EMI recording (also with Schwarzkopf), and one can almost "feel" the fizz of the champagne throughout the entire performance. Elisabeth Schwarzkopf was born to sing the title role, and in my humble opinion, no other soprano comes within miles of what she accomplishes here. Her idiomatic dialogue, her vocal shadings, and her musical instincts are balm to the ear. She easily surpasses her previous monophonic EMI performance of nine years earlier (and that was a great one!). Nicolai Gedda also surpasses his earlier work on that legendary 1953 recording, offering singing of very great lyricism and beauty. Eberhart Wachter was a very fine baritone, and made some wonderful recordings. His singing here, however, seems to me to be a little gruff, a little crude, and peppered with too much "speak singing", especially when heard in close proximity to Schwarzkopf and Gedda. Still, this was/is one of the greatest recordings EMI ever made, (truly a worthy entry to the "Great Recordings of the Century" series), and it showcases the artistry of Schwarzkopf magnificently. This would definitely be one of my "desert-island" recordings.
With the announcement this morning that Elisabeth Schwarzkopf passed away, this recording becomes even more legendary. It's a beautiful memorial to one of the greatest sopranos of the last century.

Champagne all around--a great recording.......2005-09-24

This classic recording doesn't need any more accolades, but I wanted to say how much joy it has brought me over the years. I have bought several modern Widows, too, but thrown them all away. This gem will be remembered as long as the work itself, and it's all the more amazing since Schwarzkopf never performed in a staged operetta of any kind.

P.S. - I came late to Schwarzkopf's mono Merry Widow under Otto Ackermann, from the early Fifties, which finds her in even more ecstatic voice. Many listeners may prefer Erich Kunz, whose Danilo is mellower and less fiercely temperamental than that of Wachter in the later set. No one should miss either recording, given the shortfall of joy these days.

ALERT !!!.......2005-07-06

After owning this CD for more than a decade, the goose bumps it instills have not diminished. Simply, this is one of the greatest operetta recordings of all time and should definitely not be missed.

Concerning it's limited minutes, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Perhaps those with a burgeoning interest in opera would look to this "short" recording as a introduction to the art form. My personal belief is that this recording is THE PERFECT recording to provide an introduction to opera. And, as those in the opera world know, we need more NEW fans for opera's future.

Although there is an enormous depth of beauty in Wager's Ring music to be heard, for example, one needs a proper introduction to opera in order to "hear" it. In music schools around the world, students are required to have many, many ear training courses before graduation. The simplicity in this recording of Die Lustige Witwe provides just the right amount of "ear training" for someone wanting to learn opera from the beginning.

This is not to suggest, however, that this recording IS simplex. It compares very nicely to Mozart. His music seems simple too ... yet those who know Mozart's music very well (and I refer to pianists Horowitz and Schnabel, among others) there is a sublime beauty that reveals itself upon years of study. This beauty is evident after years of listening to this recording. Hence, I still get goose bumps.

On a different note, every time I listen to Elisabeth Scwarzkopf on this CD there's a certain sadness that strikes me. Her vocal abilities coupled with her operatic personality are unmatched in today's opera world and they come through so clearly on this CD. True, the sound here isn't always perfect and it's sometimes too loud, but why be so picky. There is so much charm in her art form on this CD that it's simply amazing - and wonderful.

Lastly, Hanny Steffek and Nicolai Gedda (one of the most tender of tenors ever) share a chemistry that leaps off the CD.

Summary: Pure enjoyment - this MUST be purchased.

37 years with this recording.......2005-04-18

Ater 37 years of listening to this recording, in one or another of its forms, my delight is is undiminished. Steffek singing of the pavillon is incomparable. Gedda and Schwartkopf still give great pleasure, and von Karajan and Legge merit gratitude. Please consider acquiring his CD

Average customer rating:

Review of CD:"The Merry Widow"
witty, wonderful "Widow"
A Merry Widwo with everything but laughter, smiles, and style
Sparkling, Brilliant Production
A Viennese Merry Widow without Viennese tradition

The Merry Widow

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Bonney, Barbara | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Lehar - Merry Widow / Kenny, Skovhus, Kirchschlager, Turay, Kunzel, San Francisco Opera
Lehár: The Merry Widow (Highlights) (Sung In English)
Lehár: Waltzes
The Best of Operetta, Vol. 1
Lehár - The Merry Widow / Schwarzkopf, Wächter, Steffek, Gedda, Knapp, von Matacic

ASIN: B000001GMA
Release Date: 1995-02-14

Tracks:

The Merry Widow - Act 1: Introduction
The Merry Widow - Act 1: Ball Music And Dialogue
The Merry Widow - Act 1: Duet
The Merry Widow - Act 1: Dialogue
The Merry Widow - Act 1: Entrance Song & Ensemble
The Merry Widow - Act 1: Ball Music
The Merry Widow - Act 1: Entrance Song
The Merry Widow - Act 1: Dialogue
The Merry Widow - Act 1: Duet
The Merry Widow - Act 1: Dialogue And Finale 1
The Merry Widow - Act 2: Introduction
The Merry Widow - Act 2: Dialogue
The Merry Widow - Act 2: Duet
The Merry Widow - Act 2: Dialogue & Septet
The Merry Widow - Act 2: Dialogue & Duet
The Merry Widow - Act 2: Dialogue & Duet
The Merry Widow - Act 2: Dialogue
The Merry Widow - Act 2: Finale 2
The Merry Widow - Act 3: Intermezzo
The Merry Widow - Act 3: Dans scene
The Merry Widow - Act 3: Dialogue & Chanson
The Merry Widow - Act 3: Dialogue
The Merry Widow - Act 3: Duet
The Merry Widow - Act 3: Dialogue
The Merry Widow - Act 3: Finale

Customer Reviews:

Review of CD:"The Merry Widow".......2007-01-10

My favorite operetta performed brilliantly: Superb voices! It just about has a permanent place in my car's CD player. I loaned it to a friend. The booklet containing the dialoge has been misplaced. Is a relacement possible? Your loyal account, Jack Findlan

witty, wonderful "Widow".......2006-10-21

THE MERRY WIDOW happily returns to it's Viennese origins with this lovely recording. Although most prefer the English-translated version of the score, I do love the original Franz Lehar "pure version".

The cast is very good, with Cheryl Studer a vocally-capable Hanna; and Boje Skovhus makes the one-dimensional Count Danilo spring to life with a cheeky perfomance. Barbara Bonney and Rainer Trost come across very well too (with the subplot of Valencienne and her erstwhile lover Camille). The musical direction of John Eliot Gardner and the Wiener Philharmonic is sensational.

This studio recording presents the score complete with copious amounts of dialogue, so it's almost like attending a stage performance. Included is a large booklet containing the libretto, singer biographies, and a history of the show and it's composer.

[Deutsche Grammophon 439 911-2]

A Merry Widwo with everything but laughter, smiles, and style.......2005-09-24

This is very competitive if all you care about is the Vienna Phil. Despite Gardiner's unstylish conducting, they sound marvelous. And for pure voice, the leads sung by Studer and Skovhus are excellent, too. But throwing together an English conductor, an American soprano-of-all-trades, and a Swedish baaritone doesn't exactly make things very gemutlich. This is a proficient, unsmiling Widow that I don't want to meet again.

Sparkling, Brilliant Production.......2005-09-18

First a disclaimer: I am a teenage music student and not a "qualified," per se, music critic. I think, though, that I fairly represent many lay opera fans in my opinions, so I hope my review will be worthwhile.

The only recording I have compared this to is the Schwarzkopf recording & the video with Joan Sutherland. I prefer this to both because, although I am aware that the Schwarzkopf version is acclaimed, I found the comic aspect of it overdone...it seemed they focused more on that than the beauty of the voices. John Eliot Gardener's productions (at least, the many I have heard) always seem to be compiled of the most gorgeous voices of the century. The Sutherland performance was good, but I thought that the lack of the charm of the original German made it sparkle less. So onto the pros and cons of this recording.

Bryn Terfel as Zita! Usually the Gilbertian, patter-baritone comic man gets this role; now we have it with someone who can actually sing! I never realized how beautiful his first solo is...Terfel can make any tune attractive. His acting is admittedly, a little over-the-top, but isn't that expected in an operetta?

Barbara Bonney as Valancienne! Bonney is not suited for every role, but she is flawless in this one. Her pristine, light voice brings out all the flirtasiousness of her character, and she plays off a lovely Camille.

Cheryl Studer...I have utmost respect for this great singer, but, let's face it, she can be annoying as Hanna. Her vocal acting seems to consist mainly (in this role) of reaching high notes and getting quieter, almost whiney, on them. It makes me want Joan Sutherland to get back on the scene. She's not bad, and the voice itself is lovely, but she can get monotinous in the comical aspects.

Bo Skovhus...a good, in-character Danilo...I was never really a big Danilo fan, so I'm no real crtitic. His aria ("Lolo, Dodo, Jou-jou, Clou-clou, Margot, Frou-Frou") was entertaining if not brilliant.

Aside from the cast - and they are all good, though Valancienne, Camille, and Zita will likely be most memorable - I adore Gardener's conducting. The tempos, to my unqualified ear, are never too fast or two slow, and the orchestra and chorus are clear and clean. The chorus number before "Viljia" is just chilling in its loveliness.

Personally, I wouldn't own any other recording! Highly recomended.

A Viennese Merry Widow without Viennese tradition.......2000-10-01

I have heard this and a comtemporary production by the Vienna Volksoper (same season). While I think the Staatsoper is the greatest opera house in the world, they have abandonned the tradition of operetta style, so wonderfully present in the Volksoper production. This is a performance that is well nigh perfect with a totally miscast Skovhus, possibly the greatest Don Giovanni of our time, but at a loss of what to do with the music of Danilo. While the orchestral style is there it is not because of the conductor. Tempos are too fast, too strict, and inflection is typical of British recordings of this wonderful opera/operetta. Remember Lehar is credited as the inventor of the "slow waltz! I hope the Staasoper will let a conductor who understands the tradition lead perfomances in this and future seasons. It finally has found a home at the Staatsoper, but seems more at home at the Volksoper. The production at the Volksoper was better sung in all parts, especially the magnicant singing and characterization of Adolf Dallapozza (a tenor) and the traditional voice for this part. Remember most of the subsequent roles by Lehar were written for Tauber.

Tracks:

Largo Al Factotum - Gino Bechi
Udite, Udite O Rustici - Ezio Pinza
Im Heimlichen Dammer - Maria Reining
Mag Der Himmel Euch Vergeben - Helge Roswaenge
Ach So Fromm - Richard Tauber
The Last Rose Of Summer - Amelita Galli-Curci
Non So Piu - Amelita Galli-Curci
You Are My Heart's Delight - Lauritz Melchior
Voices Of Spring - Ada Sari
Drinking Song & Golden Days - Robert Merrill
You And You - Robert Merrill
I'll Follow My Secret Heart - Lily Pons
The White Dove - Lawrence Tibbett
Deep In My Heart - Lauritz Melchior
Merry Widow Waltz - Helen Traubel
Serenade - Lauritz Melchior
Stout-Hearted Man - Helen Traubel
Russian Song - Lawrence Tibbett
Wanting You - Lawrence Tibbett
Oh What A Beautiful Morning - Helen Traubel
Una Voce Poco Fa - Luisa Tetrazzini

Tracks:

Wer Uns Getraut - Jussi Bjorling
The Blue Danube - Lily Pons
Ich, Hab' Kein Geld, Bin Vogelfrei - Jussi Bjorling
My Hero - Rosa Ponselle
Kiss Me Again - Rosa Ponselle
When You Walk In The Room - Robert Merrill
Song Of The Vagabonds - Robert Merrill
O Luce Di Quest'Anima - Toti Dal Monte
Dans Le Service D'Autriche - Hyppolite Belhomme
Tales From The Vienna Woods - Marcella Sembrich
Per Viver Vicino - John McCormack
Charmant Oiseau - Amelita Galli-Curci
Cancion De La Espada - Miguel Fleta
De Espana Vengo - Conchita Supervia
Aimons, Il Faut Aimer - Hyppolite Belhomme
Com'e Gentil - Chorus
Quel Guardo Il Cavaliere - Amelita Galli-Curci
Tornami A Dir Che M'Ami - Tito Schipa
Im Mohrenland Gefangen War - Peter Anders
Oh, Wie Will Ich Triumphieren - Wilhelm Hesch
Modern Travel, An Opera Parody On Donizetti, Gounod, Verdi, Bizet & Dvorak - Lauritz Melchior

Léhar: The Land of Smiles; The Merry Widow; The Count of Luxembourg (Highlights)

Average customer rating:

Arguably "The Best" English "Merry Widow "

Léhar: The Land of Smiles; The Merry Widow; The Count of Luxembourg (Highlights)

Manufacturer: Class. for Pleas. Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus; The Gypsy Baron (Highlights)
Offenbach: La Belle Helene; Orpheus in the Underworld; La Vie Parisienne (Highlights)
Offenbach: Orpheus in the Underworld / Burgess, Watson, etc (Highlights)
The Best of Operetta, Vol. 3
The Best of Operetta, Vol. 2

ASIN: B00009KHY2
Release Date: 2003-09-02

Customer Reviews:

Arguably "The Best" English "Merry Widow ".......2006-09-12

This is the "Merry Widow" with English translation by Christopher Hassel sung by June Bronhill. I loved this rendition ever since I first heard it in about 1960. What's to love? First the translation is the best I've heard. The language doesn't sound "stilted" as some others. And, you can understand almost every word sung. Plus, the famous song, "Vilja" has some wording that moves me every time I hear it: The soprano sings, "Love me and I'll DIE for you!" with the word "die" somewhat emphasized. I don't know, there's just something "powerful" about someone saying they'd "die" for love! AND, at the end of "Vilja" the chorus and soprano raise to a crescendo hitting a high note together. In many renditions the chorus is heard but not the soprano on the final high note. In THIS version, the soprano, June Bronhill, can be heard rising to the final high note with an incressing crescendo and fortissimo louder than the chorus and holding the final high note---which gives a very thrilling effect as she holds that final note, I assure you!

The "problem" is that this June Bronhill, Reid, and Hassel version is hard to find on CD. For example, this CD is made in Holland and "there is one left" so it says on Amazon. But, if you can find it, I think it would be very much worth a listen. Then, after hearing it, if you think there's a "better" Merry Widow, please let ME know! Thanks. Email:boland7214@aol.

More German Military Marches and Polkas, Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

Great Variety
Title is a bit misleading
An Excellent Presentation
German Band Music --- "Beer Garden" Style

More German Military Marches and Polkas, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Bescol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

German Military Marches
Landser Marches
Kriegsmarine Marches
Panzer Marches
Stormtrooper Marches

ASIN: B000089IXZ
Release Date: 2003-02-12

Tracks:

Deutschland Uber Alles
Jagersburger March
Heimatland Pfalzland
Komm und Tanz
Benelux March
Chiemgau Lander
Gruss Aus Passau
Sag Was Kann Schoner Sein
Heute Is Schall
Schone Pfalz
Hir Mal Zu
Kufstein Polka
Trompettengruss
Musik das Ist Mein Leben
Freunde Hente Gehn Wir Aus
Alles Klar
Wir Pfalzer, Wir Halten Zusammen
Aug Einmat
Gartenfest
Lustige Witwe
Jagersburger March With Chorus

Customer Reviews:

Great Variety.......2007-01-10

This CD is a good example of German martial music. It has great variety.Hopefully it will lead to reoleases of more albums of marches, from the mid 1850's thru the early twentieth century and would include Austian offerings as well. The Imperial Band would be wonderful.

Title is a bit misleading.......2006-09-24

I was very pleased with the original volume of German Military Marches. There were some differing opinions, in regards to the sound quality of that cd, but nothing that took away from the selections.

As the name of this title "More German Military Marches & Polkas Vol.II" suggests, this cd would be a addendum to the previous volume. This is not the case for this cd, as it is a completely different selection of tracks and genre.

I am not a military marches expert, but I do have a collection and an idea of what I expect from a cd entitled Military Marches & Polkas. This recent volume is primarily a collection of bland polkas. Maybe a Polka fan would like this volume, but if you are looking for good military marches, as found on the original cd, look elsewhere.

An Excellent Presentation.......2006-03-17

As manager of "The Oktoberfest Webring," I am always on the lookout for good CD's of music suitable for Oktoberfest celebrations. This CD definitely fills the bill. The musicians and their conductor are thoroughly professional and do an outstanding job--which, to be sure, is what one would expect from the German Air Force Band. The blend and balance between instruments is excellent. With the exception of "Deutschland Ueber Alles," the songs are mostly light-hearted, breezy arrangements that are executed with military precision. At the same time, they are very much in the traditional Oktoberfest oom-pah band mood and spirit. An interesting and pleasing combination! With the exception of "Deutschland Ueber Alles," which sounds slightly distorted, the sound quality is superb. I highly recommend this CD!

German Band Music --- "Beer Garden" Style.......2004-07-11

If you're looking for heavy full-range German march music, this is probably not the album for you. Also, the recording quality is a bit tinny here and there, especially in the recording of the "Deutschland Lied." As my heading implies, the perfomance style is much lighter and is more like what you'd hear at a local Oktoberfest beer garden. The music is, on the whole, still enjoyable and the vocals are also on the light side. Back in the late 1950s through the early 1990s, the radio station KTYM broadcast German music programs on Saturdays and Sundays hosted by Fred Schell and Peter Teichmann. On their programs, they played music that sounded much like what you'll hear on this CD. While I don't think of this music as something you'd march to, it is the kind you'd relax to while sipping from your bierkrug and enjoying a Thueringer bratwurst or Muenchner wiesswurst and a side of sauerkraut with friends. On Sundays when I was a kid, my dad would barbeque on the porch. We kids would play in the yard while his German friends would sit in the shade enjoying their beer and listening to this music played on the portable stereo set my dad brought outside on a LONG extension cord. I'm still in the habit of listening to this music on weekends. It still brings back some nice memories.

While the recording quality is wanting here and there, I think you'll find this collection of traditional German music relaxing and pleasing. You would do well to puchase this album used on Amazon, as I did. And, for those of you who understand German: "In der Not schmeckt das Wurst gut ohne Brot!"

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