Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos; Arabella

1. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263) Act 1: Aber der Richtige, wenn's einen gibt für mich
   Composed by Richard Strauss
   Performed by Vienna State Opera Orchestra
   with Margit Bokor, Alfred Jerger, Richard Mayr, Viorica Ursuleac, Gertrud Runger, Adele Kern
   Conducted by Clemens Krauss
   
   
2. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263) Act 2: So fließt die helle, stille Donau mir am Haus vorbei/Und du wirst mein Gebieter sein
   Composed by Richard Strauss
   Performed by Vienna State Opera Orchestra
   with Margit Bokor, Alfred Jerger, Richard Mayr, Viorica Ursuleac, Gertrud Runger, Adele Kern
   Conducted by Clemens Krauss
   
   
3. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263) Act 2: Fand ein Mädchen, weiß nicht, wessen Tochter
   Composed by Richard Strauss
   Performed by Vienna State Opera Orchestra
   with Margit Bokor, Alfred Jerger, Richard Mayr, Viorica Ursuleac, Gertrud Runger, Adele Kern
   Conducted by Clemens Krauss
   
   
4. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263) Act 3: ... hat eine große Macht mich engerührt/Und diesen unberührten Trank
   Composed by Richard Strauss
   Performed by Vienna State Opera Orchestra
   with Margit Bokor, Alfred Jerger, Richard Mayr, Viorica Ursuleac, Gertrud Runger, Adele Kern
   Conducted by Clemens Krauss
   
   
5. Friedenstag (Peace Day), opera, Op. 81 (TrV 271)
   Composed by Richard Strauss
   Performed by Vienna State Opera Orchestra
   with Hans Hotter, Herbert Alsen, Raimund Loibnegger, Viktor Madin, Viorica Ursuleac, Hermann Gallos, Erich Majkut, Willy Franter, Anton Dermota, Karl Kamann, Hermann Wiedemann, Georg Monthy, Nikolaus Zec, Franz Schramm, Carl Bissuti, Melanie Bugarinovic, Joseph Witt
   Conducted by Clemens Krauss
   
   
6. Ariadne auf Naxos, opera, Op. 60-II (TrV 228a) (revised version) Prelude: Mein Herr Haushofmeister
   Composed by Richard Strauss
   Performed by Vienna State Opera Orchestra
   with Alfred Poell, Dora Komarek, Hermann Baier, Alfred Muzzarelli, Elisabeth Rutgers, Alfred Jerger, Adele Kern, Anny Konetzni, Set Svanholm, Else Schulz, Richard Sallaba, Friedrich Jelinek, William Wernigk, Elena Nikolaidi, Alexander Pichler, Alfred Vogel
   Conducted by Rudolf Moralt
   
   
7. Ariadne auf Naxos, opera, Op. 60-II (TrV 228a) (revised version) ... singt und tanzt/Nach meiner Oper!
   Composed by Richard Strauss
   Performed by Vienna State Opera Orchestra
   with Alfred Poell, Dora Komarek, Hermann Baier, Alfred Muzzarelli, Elisabeth Rutgers, Alfred Jerger, Adele Kern, Anny Konetzni, Set Svanholm, Else Schulz, Richard Sallaba, Friedrich Jelinek, William Wernigk, Elena Nikolaidi, Alexander Pichler, Alfred Vogel
   Conducted by Rudolf Moralt
   
   
8. Ariadne auf Naxos, opera, Op. 60-II (TrV 228a) (revised version) Sie meint zu sterben/Ein Augenblick ist wenig
   Composed by Richard Strauss
   Performed by Vienna State Opera Orchestra
   with Alfred Poell, Dora Komarek, Hermann Baier, Alfred Muzzarelli, Elisabeth Rutgers, Alfred Jerger, Adele Kern, Anny Konetzni, Set Svanholm, Else Schulz, Richard Sallaba, Friedrich Jelinek, William Wernigk, Elena Nikolaidi, Alexander Pichler, Alfred Vogel
   Conducted by Rudolf Moralt
   
   
9. Ariadne auf Naxos, opera, Op. 60-II (TrV 228a) (revised version) Bald aber naht ein Bote
   Composed by Richard Strauss
   Performed by Vienna State Opera Orchestra
   with Alfred Poell, Dora Komarek, Hermann Baier, Alfred Muzzarelli, Elisabeth Rutgers, Alfred Jerger, Adele Kern, Anny Konetzni, Set Svanholm, Else Schulz, Richard Sallaba, Friedrich Jelinek, William Wernigk, Elena Nikolaidi, Alexander Pichler, Alfred Vogel
   Conducted by Rudolf Moralt
   
   
10. Ariadne auf Naxos, opera, Op. 60-II (TrV 228a) (revised version) So war es mit Pagliaccio
    Composed by Richard Strauss
    Performed by Vienna State Opera Orchestra
    with Alfred Poell, Dora Komarek, Hermann Baier, Alfred Muzzarelli, Elisabeth Rutgers, Alfred Jerger, Adele Kern, Anny Konetzni, Set Svanholm, Else Schulz, Richard Sallaba, Friedrich Jelinek, William Wernigk, Elena Nikolaidi, Alexander Pichler, Alfred Vogel
    Conducted by Rudolf Moralt
    
    
11. Ariadne auf Naxos, opera, Op. 60-II (TrV 228a) (revised version) Auf dieser Insel gibt's hübsche Plätze
    Composed by Richard Strauss
    Performed by Vienna State Opera Orchestra
    with Alfred Poell, Dora Komarek, Hermann Baier, Alfred Muzzarelli, Elisabeth Rutgers, Alfred Jerger, Adele Kern, Anny Konetzni, Set Svanholm, Else Schulz, Richard Sallaba, Friedrich Jelinek, William Wernigk, Elena Nikolaidi, Alexander Pichler, Alfred Vogel
    Conducted by Rudolf Moralt
    
    
12. Ariadne auf Naxos, opera, Op. 60-II (TrV 228a) (revised version) Ich grüße dich, du Bote aller Boten/Sprach ich von einem Trank/Die Höhle deiner Schmerzen
    Composed by Richard Strauss
    Performed by Vienna State Opera Orchestra
    with Alfred Poell, Dora Komarek, Hermann Baier, Alfred Muzzarelli, Elisabeth Rutgers, Alfred Jerger, Adele Kern, Anny Konetzni, Set Svanholm, Else Schulz, Richard Sallaba, Friedrich Jelinek, William Wernigk, Elena Nikolaidi, Alexander Pichler, Alfred Vogel
    Conducted by Rudolf Moralt
    
    

Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos; Arabella,Melanie Bugarinovic,Alfred Jerger,Alfred Muzzarelli,Georg Monthy,Hans Hotter,Hermann Wiedemann,Karl Kamann,Viktor Madin,Carl Bissuti,Herbert Alsen,Nikolaus Zec,Richard Mayr,Richard Strauss,Clemens Krauss,Rudolf Moralt,Elena Nikolaidi,Gertrud Runger,Wiener Staatsopernorchester,Adele Kern,Alfred Poell,Dora Komarek,Elisabeth Rutgers,Else Schultz,Else Schulz,Margit Bokor,Viorica Ursuleac,Anton Dermota,Erich Majkut,Hermann Gallos,Joseph Witt,Richard Sallaba,Set Svanholm,William Wernigk,Willy Franter,Alexander Pichler,Alfred Vogel,Franz Schramm,Friedrich Jelinek,Hermann Baier,Raimund Loibnegger,Koch Schwann (Germ.),Classical,German/Austrian Romantic Opera,Opera,Opera / Operetta / Oratorio

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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 Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. 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Tracks:

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

Tracks:

1. Jauchzet Gott In Allen Landen
2. Bist Du Bei Mir
3. Ridente La Calma
4. An Die Musik
5. Der Musensohn
6. Nachtviolen
7. Der Musensohn
8. Auch Kleine Dinge
9. Mein Liebster Ist So Klein
10. Verschling' Der Abgrund
11. Ich Hab' In Penna
12. Wiegenlied Im Sommer
13. Mausfallenspruchlein
14. In Dem Schatten Meiner Locken
15. Mignon (Kennst Du Das Land?)
16. Gsatzli (Swiss Folksong)
17. Fruhling
18. Im Abendrot
19. Muttertandelei
20. Zueignung
21. Klange Der Heimat (Die Fledermaus)
22. Es Lebt'Eine Vilja (Die Lustige Witwe)
23. Im Chambre Separee (Der Opemball)
24. 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: Mesmerizing NOT TO BE MISSED The Perfect Rendition?

Strauss: Four Last Songs, Arabella/Della Casa (Vier letzte Lieder) Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Della Casa, Lisa | ( D ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss, Richard | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Mozart: Cosi Fan Tutte Strauss: Ein Heldenleben - Four Last Songs / Auger, Previn Mozart: Don Giovanni Strauss: Four Last Songs; Songs with Orchestra; Rosenkavalier Suite Richard Strauss - Capriccio / Schwarzkopf, Wächter, Gedda, Fischer-Dieskau, Hotter, Ludwig, Moffo, Philharmonia Orchestra, Sawallisch ASIN: B00004XQ8H Release Date: 2000-10-10

Tracks:

1. Four Last Songs: Beim Schlafengehen
2. Four Last Songs: September
3. Four Last Songs: Fruhling
4. Four Last Songs: I'm Abendrot
5. Arabella: Er ist der Richtige nicht fur mich...Aber der Richtige
6. Arabella: Der Richtige - so hab ich stets zu mir gesagt...Und du wirst mein Gebieter sein
7. Arabella: Das war sehr gut, Mandryka
8. Ariande auf Naxos: Es gibt ein Reich
9. Capriccio: Orchestral introduction
10. Capriccio: Wo ist mein Bruder?
11. Capriccio: Morgen mittag um elf!
12. Capriccio: Kein Andres, das mir so im Herzen loht
13. Capriccio: Ihre Liebe schlagt mir entgegen

Customer Reviews:

Mesmerizing.......2004-10-20

From the day it was released all those years ago, this remains one of the most beautiful (Strauss) recordings ever made. It's been available in different versions (I have the earlier release that includes the Wesendonck Lieder with Flagstaf), but it's worth it to get this one for the opera arias. I'm not a big fan of these operas, but it's unlikely you'll ever hear them sung with more beauty or understanding. You may have another favorite recording of the Songs, but you owe it to yourself to listen to what Della Casa does here. And not to slight Bohm either; he obviously knew this music inside out, and is miles ahead of most of his competition.

NOT TO BE MISSED.......2000-11-26

As one record reviewer put it: "It was a voice unlike any other." Indeed, for sheer vocal beauty no one matches Lisa della Casa, and a quick sampling of this disc's contents will demonstrate why Strauss himself identified her as his ideal Arabella. The voice's glory was its upper register: full, free, intensely colored, and exciting. But she had other gifts: superlative breath control (amazing in this music), naturalness of utterance, and perfect diction. Her tone quality suggests restrained emotion, and although she is Swiss, I can think of no singer who evokes Viennese elegance better. I like lots of singers past and present, and I admire many, but I worship this voice. If the house were on fire, I'd grab this CD before jumping out the window.

Although the Boehm-led 'Four Last Songs' are a classic performance, I find they are my least favorite part of this recording. Boehm's tempos are a little fast and della Casa, for all her beauty, sounds disengaged. But from then on she is matchless. The 'Arabella' duets are stunning, both for the singer's high level of vocal accomplishment and her ability to convey the character's changing moods. She sounds so genuine and unaffected and the voice is so gorgeous that I find myself drawn into the drama as with no other singer. She has good partners in Gueden and Schoeffler, but Poell brays relentlessly. Her rendition of the passage beginning "Und du wirst mein Gebieter sein" is my number one tear-inducing moment in all of recorded history. The 'Ariadne' aria is nicely sung, although she was even better a few years later for EMI/Testament. The 'Capriccio' final scene is ravishing from beginning to end, with della Casa's voice soaring gloriously above the Vienna Philharmonic's lush carpet of sound. For once you will see the moonlight shimmer during the orchestral interlude. It's almost too rich and delicious, like Sachertorte for breakfast.

Decca's remastering brings the singer forward and gives the orchestra more presence, but am I the only one who misses some high frequencies as a result? Although there are some terrific Strauss sopranos around these days, no one should be without della Casa. She DEFINES Strauss singing. Don't deny yourself this superlative musical experience.

The Perfect Rendition?.......2000-10-10

Lisa della Casa's recording of the Four Last Songs has been a part of my life for the past twenty years; and in my book it beats all the competition, past, present and (probably) future. It may not be your perfect rendition, because one's response to a voice is such a personal, unpredictable thing; but it is certainly mine. Della Casa's shimmering, silvery soprano soars radiantly above the lush, romantic orchestration; and even after many, many times of listening to this disc, I still find something new in it. I never get tired of it, and it never fails to move me. The excerpts from Arabella are also excellent, although not as well recorded as the Four Last Songs. However, they reward repeated listening, and they preserve della Casa's celebrated interpretation of Arabella (her most famous stage role). Even if you have heard other interpreters of the Four Last Songs, and have your own favourite, please give this a try. For sheer tonal beauty, it cannot be beaten.

Average customer rating: Dessay rules Amor - N. Dessay Sparkling Strauss Glorious Strauss a wonderful holiday gift

Amor: Opera Scenes and Lieder by Richard Strauss Richard Strauss , Natalie Dessay , Felicity Lott , Sophie Koch , Angelika Kirchschlager , Thomas Allen , and Antonio Pappano Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Allen, Thomas | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Natalie Dessay - French Opera Arias Natalie Dessay - Vocalise Natalie Dessay ~ Delirio (Handel Italian Cantatas) Mozart Heroines; Natalie Dessay Cecilia Bartoli ~ Opera Proibita (Handel · Scarlatti · Caldara) / Les Musiciens du Louvre · Minkowski ASIN: B0002ZBSN6 Release Date: 2004-11-02

Tracks:

1. Oper-Grossmachtige Prinzessin
2. Vorspiel-Kindskopf! Merkt Auf
3. An Ihre Platze... Seien Wir Wieder Gut
4. No. 2-Ich Wollt' Ein Stausslein Binden
5. No. 3-Sausle, Liebe Myrte
6. No. 4-Als Mir Dein Lied Erklang
7. No. 5-Amor
8. Act 1-Ich Danke, Fraulein... Aber Der Richtige
9. Act 2-Mir Ist Die Ehre Widerfahren
10. Act 3-Marie Theres', Wie Gut Sie Ist
11. Ist Ein Traum... Spur' Nur Dich

Amazon.com

Natalie Dessay's vocal crisis--she was operated on for nodes on her vocal cords three years ago--is clearly over. The voice has ripened somewhat but the incredible high notes are still present and easily produced. Zerbinetta is one of her signature roles, and she knows this complex, winning gal well. She can be cajoling, sarcastic, witty and sincere--and toss off high Cs, Ds and more, with impeccable staccati and trills, making them seem as natural as speech. She works magic with the four Brentano Lieder recorded here, expressing longing, sweetness and rapture as well as sheer perkiness in "Amor" with its vocal imitation of flame. In the extended scene from Ariadne, the composer sung by Sophie Koch delivers her aria with passion and seems to lack only a bottom note or two to fill the role ideally. In the act-one Arabella-Zdenka duet, Dessay is girlish and loving of her big sister, unaffectedly sung here by Felicity Lott. But the pieces de résistance on this CD are the highlights from Der Rosenkavalier: the Presentation of the Silver Rose and final trio and duet. Dessay sounds youthful and pure in the Presentation and sings with the most loving legato and tone at the opera's end. She's abetted by Angelika Kirchschlager as Octavian, who is simply perfect, and Felicity Lott, also smooth as silk. Pappano is becoming an all-purpose great opera conductor, and the Covent Garden orchestra is polished and elegant. The sound is rich and full. This CD is a gem. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Dessay rules.......2007-02-07

For an opera or a classical music admirer, Natalie Dessay is a must. This is an excellent recording. And the DER ROSENKAVALIER interprentation amazing. It's worth it!!!

Amor - N. Dessay.......2006-01-12

I'm sorry to say that I did not enjoy this CD. When I was listening to the songs from Der Rosenkavalier, all I could think of was: she doesn't have the voice for this - her high notes seem a little thin to me. I realize taste is subjective, but Lucia Popp, Theresa Stich-Randall, Kiri Te Kanawa, Renee Fleming all do much better interpretations of those songs. This is the first CD I've ever heard from her - and I don't want to judge her by this CD alone. I'd say try another CD by her if you've never listened to her before.

Sparkling Strauss.......2005-09-24

I just love this CD; Ms Dessay is radiant vocally, and she puts on a great show in each aria- you can practically see her on stage, she is so absorbing and vivid. Of the current sopranos, she is probably best Zerbinetta, and she has a great laughter. Actually, I felt that Der Rosenkavalier pieces were the best, but there are no weak links and any arias and songs that are less than spectacular on this CD. Ms Dessay has a touch of French accent when she sings in German, but I find totally charming and overall her diction is very good.
The other singers are great, especially Angelika Kirchschlage, and the sound is just perfect. This is such a sweet treat, a real Straussian desert!

Glorious Strauss.......2005-01-02

This is a major CD release of a major singer obviously very much at home with this repertoire. The disk comprises scenes from three of Strauss's most affecting operas for Soprano, with the Brentano Lieder thrown in for good measure. Dessay's voice is in wonderful shape - it is clear, well positioned, on key and agile. Yet my one reservation is her voice is too "bright" for the Marschallin and Arabella. The bright, ringing quality is very well suited for Ariadne, but I prefer a slightly darker, more mature sound, certainly in Rosenkavalier and even in Arabella. If you believe that Arabella is a younger Marschallin, then the same voice best becomes both roles. In recent times, think Te Kanawa. The voice is big enough to carry through the at times too loud and evasive orchestral playing by the Covent Garden Opera Orchestra, led by an obviously zealous Antonio Pappano. All these reservations aside, this is a wonderful disk. Dessay will never be my favorite Marschallin or Arabella, but a wonderful collection nonetheless. Certainly worth the money and worth repeated listenings.

a wonderful holiday gift.......2004-12-14

Unquestionably the reigning coloratura of our times, Natalie Dessay has the misfortune of blossoming at a time where complete opera recordings are no longer being produced at the rate they were from the 50's to the 80's. Thankfully, we have this delightful pastiche of Strauss, including her signature role, Zerbinetta. She is far and away my favorite opera singer of the current generation. First, she is to be commended for reviving the tradition of the French coloratura, which has been lacking ever since the heyday of Mady Mesple. Second, she defies the notion that all coloraturas have to stand up to Joan Sutherland (my all-time favorite). True, Sutherland's vocal legacy is truly formidable, but then again, would Sutherland have tackled roles like Zerbinetta or Zdenka? It takes a Natlie Dessay to bring these roles to life.

This is a very satisfactory recital, from start to end. What's more, complete scenes are featured, with a host of top-drawer guests, like Felicity Lott and Angelika Kirschlager. Decca is to be thanked for pulling out all the stops. Not being an expert on Strauss, I can't judge Pappano's conducting, except to say that it sounds quite fine to my ear. Furthermore, the sound quality is excellent.

Now, I'm sure everyone will listen closely for evidence of vocal distress. Natalie just had another surgery to remove a node from her vocal cords, and in a recent press release stated that she hasn't "completely healed" from her intial surgery over a year ago. The only thing I can pick up on are a few high notes sung in alt (like in the duet from Arabella) that sound like they were squeezed out. However, there isn't anything really troubling, like a wobble or ugly spread on top. Let's pray for Dessay's full recovery from her second surgery.

This is music that is absolutely sublime. Surprise someone with this recital for Christmas, especially those who stubbornly listen to Italian opera and eschew any other genre.

Average customer rating: Sheer Delight!

Arias, Duets and Trios Manufacturer: Bella Voce Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Berlioz, Hector | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Delibes, Leo | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Handel, George Frideric | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Strauss, Richard | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Janowitz, Gundula | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Troyanos, Tatiana | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Tatiana Troyanos in Recital Gundula Janowitz Songs: Strauss Liszt & Schubert Anna Netrebko & Rolando Villazón: Duets Ruth Ann Swenson - Positively Golden ~ Colaratura Arias The Very Best of Régine Crespin ASIN: B000007TO8 Release Date: 2000-08-05

Tracks:

1. Giulio Cesare: Act III, Aria: 'Da Tempeste Il Legno Infranto' - Gundula Janowitz
2. Giulio Cesare: Act I, Aria: 'Svegliatevi Nel Core' - Tatiana Troyano
3. Die Zauberflote: Aria: 'O Zittere Nicht' - Arleen Auger
4. Le Nozze Di Figaro: Act II, Arietta: 'Voi Che Sapete' - Tatiana Troyanos
5. Le Nozze Di Figaro: Act IV, Recitative And Aria: 'Giunse Alfin Il Momento'/'Deh Vieni, Non Tardar' - Arleen Auger
6. Le Nozze Di Figaro: Act III, Recitative And Aria: 'E Susanna Non Vien'/'Dove Son' - Gundala Janowitz
7. Arabella: 'Aber Der Richtige, Wenn's Einen Gibt' - Gundula Janowitz/Arleen Auger
8. Ariadne Auf Naxos: Final Prologue: 'Sein Wir Wieder Gut' - Tatiana Troyanos
9. Ariadne Auf Naxos: 'Grossmachtige Prinzessin' - Arleen Auger
10. Vier Letzte Lieder: 'Fruhling' - Gundula Janowitz
11. Vier Letzte Lieder: 'Im Abendrot' - Gundula Janowitz

Tracks:

1. Der Rosenkavalier: Trio: 'Marie Theres'!/'Hab' Mir's Gelobt' - Gundula Janowitz/Tatiana Troyanos/Arleen Auger
2. Der Rosenkavalier: Duet: 'Ist Ein Traum, Kann Nicht Wirklich Sein' - Arleen Auger/Tatiana Troyanos
3. Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail: Act III, Aria: 'Ich Baue Ganz Auf Deine Starke' - Nicolai Gedda
4. Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail: Act I, Aria: 'Ach Ich Liebte, War So Glucklich' - Arleen Auger
5. Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail: Act III, Recitative And Duet: 'Welch Ein Geschick' - Arleen Auger/Nicolai Gedda
6. Capriccio: Scene 4, Sonnet: 'Kein Andres, Das Mir So Im Herzen Loht' - Nicolai Gedda
7. Ariadne Auf Naxos: 'Grossmachtige Prinzessin' - Arleen Auger
8. Les Pecheurs De Perles: Act III, Scene: 'Oh! Ciel, Quel Trouble!' - Nicolai Gedda
9. Lakme: Act II: 'Ou Va La Jeune Indoue' - Arleen Auger
10. Benvenuto Cellini: Tableau 4, Scene 8: 'Seul Pour Lutter, Seul Avec Mon Courage' - Nicolai Gedda

Customer Reviews:

Sheer Delight!.......1999-05-20

Three great artists in their prime, in ravishing live performances. What a treat! Janowtiz's Handel is less than exciting, and why Arleen Auger sings Zerbinetta's aria TWICE is beyond me, but those quibbles aside, these generously filled discs are a sheer delight

Average customer rating: Jane Eaglen Is A Force Not To Be Reckoned With Unidiomatic singing Jane - A Force of Nature Weakness exposing attempt Than you God for Jane Eaglen!

Jane Eaglen - Mozart & Strauss / Zubin Mehta Richard Strauss , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Israel Philharmonic Orchestra , Zubin Mehta , and Jane Eaglen Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Eaglen, Jane | ( E ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Eaglen, Jane | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Jane Eaglen - Bellini & Wagner Jane Eaglen - Italian Opera Arias ASIN: B000008A4Y Release Date: 1998-05-19

Tracks:

1. Salome: Final Scene
2. Guntram: Fass' ich sie bang
3. Lucio Silla: Ah, corri, vola... Quest'improvviso tremito
4. Don Giovanni: Crudele? Ah no, moi bene...Non mi dir
5. Adriane auf Naxos: Es gibt ein Reich
6. Idomeneo: Oh smania! Oh furie! D'Oreste, d'Aiace
7. Arabella: Mein Elimer!
8. Don Giovanni: Or sai chi l'onore
9. Idomeneo: Idol moi
10. Die Agyptische Helena: Zweite Brautnacht!

Customer Reviews:

Jane Eaglen Is A Force Not To Be Reckoned With.......2005-05-18

Contrary to the previous review, I find that Jane Eaglen is the very definition of the dramatic soprano. Her voice is a Niagra Falls of vocal artistry- full or rich fullness and soaring upper register, generous mezzo di voce, and soothing pianissimi. Her voice is fine in this studio recording album. Eaglen has sung through the 90's and her voice is in its prime in this album. She comfortably takes on the demanding dramatic roles of Strauss Ariadne, Mozart's Dona Ana, Strauss' Salome, Strauss Arabella, the heroine in Guntram and Die Egytpian Helena and the heroine in Mozart' Idomeneo. She is an apt interpreter of bel canto and Wagner, her voice reminding me of such versatile sopranos as Edda Moser, who could sing both Wagner and Mozart.

Please give this album a chance and ignore any bashers' remarks. Her rendition of the Finale in Salome blew me away. She sends chills down my spine, with a voice that is a hurricane, full of storm and glory. Her Dona Ana is a steely victim, her Arabella a determined woman and her Ariadne very noble. Eaglen has a number of great diva roles under her belt- Tosca, Norma, Brunhilde, Isolde, each a magnificent portrayal. Look for her other albums, which are also available on Amazon.com, which continues to be a great source of opera for me, even rare and hard to find albums. Though that critic before me blindly criticized her Strauss method, I find that she is terrific as a singer of Strauss, finding herself the equal to Leontyne Price and Jessye Norman. In fact it would seem Jane Eaglen has a powerfully lunged black woman inside her!! I love this album and also recommend her Wagner/Bellini album, in which she sings the heck out of Casta Diva from Norma and other bel canto arias, as well as a fine Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde and Brunhilde's Immolation Scene. Also look for Strauss' Four Last Songs sung to perfection by Jane Eaglen. She can also be heard singing Tosca in English under the Chandos label as well as a towering Turandot.

Unidiomatic singing.......2003-11-06

Eaglen's performances of Mozart and Strauss are generally disappointing, for her singing doesn't have the simplicity for Mozart and the lustrous quality for the Strauss. It's far too over-generalised and the result is insipid.

Jane - A Force of Nature.......2002-01-25

Listening to Jane Eaglen is being caught in the midst of a wonderful storm of music. Each bell-like note is perfection, nothing strained, nothing overly melodramtic, just marvelous singing. The sweetness in her voice comes through again and again. I will borrow from another reviewer to say "BRAVA JANE! And thank you for reminding us that Wagner,and Strauss don't have to be screamed to be sung well."

Weakness exposing attempt.......2001-11-11

I'm afraid Jane Eaglen doesn't quite know of her own capabilities and limitations. Opera singing is not just a matter of beautiful sound. There has to be emotion, drama and charisma, none of these Eaglen has. Her Mozart is at least competent, though far from outstanding. But her Strauss definitely doesn't work! Just pull down any (yes, any) recording of Strauss by any (yes, any) soprano and you'll at once note how deficient Eaglen's interpretations are. No, she definitely is not for such repertoire. Besides, her top register isn't glorious at all - a liability in Strauss. This is just an ill-considered attempt which exposes her weakness as an artist.

Than you God for Jane Eaglen!.......2000-02-17

Words fail me when trying to describe the awe one gets after listening to this singer. Live or on Disc few can match Jane in Talent, musicality, or beauty of tone. What a blessing she is to those who love opera. I Love this CD and all the wonderful excerpt featured here. I would love to hear a complete recording of every opera sung from here. It is so refreshing to hear the Egyptian Helen sung so beautifully, listen to how she soars over the orchestra, and listen to how easily her voice manages the high notes. AHHH! How enchanting, and the excerpt from Guntram WOW! . And then she tops it off with an excerpt from a different type of Strauss opera Arabella. This is how Strauss should be sung. Forget Ljuba, Birgit, or Hildegard Jane is your woman!

Average customer rating:

Strauss Historic Recordings Manufacturer: Preiser Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B00003E48O Release Date: 2000-06-27

Average customer rating: Magnificent Box for the SERIOUS OPERA COLLECTOR

Richard Strauss Prima Donnas Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00002ZZ5E Release Date: 2003-11-18

Customer Reviews:

Magnificent Box for the SERIOUS OPERA COLLECTOR.......2003-08-31

If you're just a casual opera buyer, you need not continue reading. This opera set is not for you. If you are into the serious business of collecting opera sets, or if you are a serious opera lover, this set is like dew from heaven. What a magnificent collection of Strauss Operas from the Vienna State Opera from 1933 to 1976!! The remastering is marvellous so that even though most of the items are in mono, the sound is very clear and you can hear everything. You have Lotte Lehmann's Marschallin monologue (she was the creator of the role, by the way) and the presentation of silver rose by Maria Olszewska (Octavian) and Elisabeth Schumann (Sophie). Special mention MUST be made of Ljuba Welitsch's astounding 1948 Salome final scene. She is the only singer that appraoches Strauss' requirement of sounding like a 16 year old with the voice of an Isolde. Her pure silvery voice slices through the orchestra at the climaxes like a razor blade - simply astonishing. And oh, the erotic necrophillic tinge in her voice - it makes you shudder. If you like Birgit Nilsson and Leonie Rysanek in Salome, you have to listen to this. Then we have the Die Frau Ohne Schatten in 1955 with Christel Goltz as Dyer's Wife, Elisabeth Hongen as the Nurse and Rysanek as the Empress. I've heard many Die Fraus but this one stunned me into submission. The orchestra was simply took my breath away with its playing and Goltz was in sensational voice as was Rysanek. then of course, we have Schwarzkopf in the Cappricio monologue, a definitetive performance and Lisa Della Casa in Arabella, a role she owned since 1952. We also get the radiant Hilde Guden in teh 1964 Daphne - an amazing performance. Coming next is Birgit Nilsson's sensational 1965 Elektra - the recognnition scene. Then we get Janowitz's lovely Ariadne auf Naxos in 1976 in superb stereo. Finally we get Christa Ludwig as Octavian from a 1972 and 1971 productions. If you thought that her Octavian with Karajan was good, you should listen to this - she is in sensational voice and goodness, she steals the thunder from her Marschallin (Sena Jurinac). We also get Rysanek as the Marschallin.

After listening to this set, I only wish that RCA had released all the sets contained in full rather than in just excerpts. Very highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Die Sänger der Wiener Staatsoper zur Wiedereröffnung des Hauses am Ring 1955 Manufacturer: Preiser Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Pfitzner | Pfitzner, Hans | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weber | Weber, Carl Maria von | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Braun, Hans | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gounod, Charles | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Offenbach, Jacques | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Puccini, Giacomo | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Strauss, Richard | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Wagner, Richard | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Weber, Carl Maria von | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B0009WVEJK Release Date: 2005-11-29

Average customer rating: Excellent introduction to Strauss A Good Buy For Lovers of Strauss Essential Strauss Opera

R. Strauss: Famous Scenes Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B00004U8FE Release Date: 2001-02-13

Tracks:

1. Arabella: Aber der Richtige wenns einen gibt - Hilde Gueden
2. Ariadne auf Naxos: Es ist alles vergebens Es gibt ein Reich - Leontyne Price
3. Der Rosenkavalier: Mein Gott! Es warnicht mehr als eine Farce - Regine Crespin
4. Elektra: Allein! Weh ganz allein - Birgit Nilsson
5. Die Frau ohne Schatten: Sieh - Amme - sieh...Zum Lebenswasser!... Wehe mein Mann! - Leonie Rysanek
6. Salome: Salomes Tanz der sieben Schleier - Wiener Philharmoniker
7. Salome: Es ist keinLaut zu vernehmen - Anja Silja

Customer Reviews:

Excellent introduction to Strauss.......2003-11-18

Richard Strauss wrote great operatic music, but his music is not as accessible as that of Puccini or Verdi. It will take some time getting used to listening to his more dissonant music, but it is worth it.

This is an excellent compilation disc from Decca. The sound on all the selections is good, but the excerpt from "Die Frau ohne Schatten" has dated sound. Decca provides a booklet that contains notes and texts with English translations. This is a big help in understanding the sung words.

The first excerpt is the glorious soprano duet from "Arabella", sung ravishingly by Lisa della Casa and Hilde Güden. These two sopranos soar over Strauss' exquisite orchestration. It is a delight to hear their ethereal upper registers. No other composer wrote better soaring music for sopranos to sing. Strauss was truly a master of this type of music. The excerpt from "Ariadne auf Naxos" is well sung by Leontyne Price. The fabulous trio from "Der Rosenkavalier" is sung ravishingly by Régine Crespin, Hilde Güden, and Elisabeth Söderström. Notice the clear German diction of these three singers. The music for this trio contains some ravishing string writing. Elektra's Monologue is sung magnificently by Birgit Nilsson. Her high notes, especially the high C at the end, are incredibly powerful and rock-steady. She inflects the aria superbly. You can really hear her longing for her dead father in her repeated cries of "Agamemnon". Leonie Rysanek is incredible in the Empress' Dream Sequence from "Die Frau ohne Schatten". The high tessitura poses no problem for her and she sings with smoldering involvement. Some of the orchestral music in this passage is positively gorgeous. Herbert von Karajan conducts a wonderful performance of the Dance of the Seven Veils. This passage from "Salome" is perfectly evocative of Salome's sadistic nature. However, it doesn't sound like it is particularly easy music to dance to. The last excerpt is a woefully inadequate reading of Salome's Final Scene. Anja Silja characterizes Salome's different moods quite well, but her voice is not up to the music's demands. Her voice is whitish in color and quite small. Her high notes are often plagued with a slow wobble. Why couldn't Decca have included the Final Scene from Georg Solti's studio recording with Nilsson as Salome? Throughout the disc, the wonderful Vienna Philharmonic plays Strauss' music beautifully. In the excerpt from "Ariadne auf Naxos", the London Philharmonic plays wonderfully.

If you are looking for an introduction to the operatic music of Richard Strauss, this disc is it. Highly recommended.

A Good Buy For Lovers of Strauss.......2001-05-30

I will rate this CD by track.

1. Arabella (Della Casa / Gueden) Excellent -- Wish there was more. 2. Ariadne (Price) Ill Cast -- Look elsewhere. 3. Rosenkavalier (Crispin / Gueden) Very Good -- One can never tire of the Trio and Finale of this opera. 4. Elektra (Nilsson) Classic -- A great scene from the best recording of this opera. 5. Frau (Rysanek) Good -- The right performer, decent sound for 1955, but there are far better scenes to excerpt. 6. Salome -- Seven Veils -- Doesn't fit in with theme of famous scenes with sopranos, would rather have more singing. 7. Salome (Silja) -- Superb -- A good reason to buy this CD; never knew of this interpretation beforehand. It is really great.

Overall -- Four Stars -- because of Price, who is not good as Ariadne; the wasted space with the Dance of the Seven Veils; and the poor scene selection from Frau. But the other selections are good, and the Frau is good too, but could have been better.

If you love Strauss, this CD should be in your collection.

Essential Strauss Opera.......2001-04-15

For anyone wanting to try the operas of Richard Strauss, one need not look much further than this compilation of excerpts from several of his operas. As critics and academics have begun to take Strauss more seriously over the past decade or so (and been less likely to engage in politically-charged character assassination), even his formerly-neglected later works have received more performances and been recorded with greater frequency.

This compilation includes excerpts from some of those lesser-known operas, including "Arabella" (1933) and the increasingly better-known "Die Frau Ohne Schatten" (1919). Ironically, these are the oldest excerpts on the recording, including a crisp "Arabella" from 1957 with supreme Straussian conductor Georg Solti and supreme Straussian singer Lisa Della Casa, as well as a rough-sounding "Frau Ohne Schatten" excerpt from 1955 (but then, it's conducted by Strauss' friend Karl Bohm, which makes up for it). Solti also makes an appearance on this album for a 1979 recording of "Es Gibt ein Reich" from "Ariadne auf Naxos," which seems to have hovered for years in limbo between the three major Strauss operas and "lesser" Strauss works.

Although I like the other excerpts, my greatest affection is still reserved for those three major operas: Rosenkavalier, Elektra, and Salome. Solti returns to this recording for a third appearance (this time armed with Birgit Nilsson) for a thundering interpretation of Elektra's soliloquy over her father's grave, fantasizing about vengeance against her mother and her mother's love-toy for his murder. This excerpt comes from Solti's complete 1967 recording, for some reason no longer available in the States. Although there are other wonderful interpretations of Strauss' 1909 shocker (especially Wolfgang Sawallisch's 1990 recording, also unavailable in the States), none match Solti's for sheer horror and brutality. This little nibble gives just a taste of its acidity.

Preceding the brutality of the "Elektra," one can swoon to the dreamy, "himmlisch" trio from "Der Rosenkavalier." It begins after the humiliation of the boorish character Baron Ochs, then builds to what's become known as the trio. Prior to this recording, I had never heard of the conductor Silvio Varviso, but he leads one of the most beautiful trios I've ever heard. The horns whoop in something that comes close to Liebestod-like ecstasy at the climax, with the three singers flowing naturally with the music. For me, this version (as well as the Renee Fleming/Susan Graham/Barbara Bonney trio under Christoph Eschenbach) comes very close to the listening experience Sam Abel describes in "Opera in the Flesh"; an aural "menage-a-quatre," culminating in a sweet and sad feeling of ecstatic release.

For those seeking a less sentimental and more dangerous form of ecstatic release, two (Yes... two!) excerpts from "Salome" round out the recording. Strauss "meister" Herbert von Karajan conducts a savagely silky "Dance of the Seven Veils" from 1960, culminating in a sensually feline climax during the waltz-like portion of Salome's striptease for her stepfather. After the dance pounds away to its conclusion, Salome awaits her reward: the head of the holy man Jokanaan on a silver platter. The recording of this excerpt of the final scene comes from 1974, with Christoph von Dohnanyi (who also works wonders with his insightful performances of Strauss) conducting future wife Anja Silja in a performance that transforms the horror of the scene into an object of beauty. Silja's voice pierces the orchestra like a silver bullet in this night of moonlit madness, with its nightmarish phantasms of a fin de siecle Vienna, of obsessive lust consuming all in its path, of sexual (and perhaps spiritual) transfiguration proclaimed by the cosmic ascension of horns at the final scene's climax.

For anyone wanting to try Richard Strauss' operas, this mid-priced compilation of excerpts provides an excellent starting point. Even for Straussians (or at least those who don't have the complete operas from which many of these excerpts derive), this compilation includes some wonderful highlights. In short... highly recommended for anyone who likes mind-blowing music.

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Lisa Della Casa Sings Richards Strauss: Four Last Songs, Arabella, Ariadne Auf Naxos, Capriccio Richard Strauss , Lisa Della Casa , and Wiener Philharmoniker Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00000E46W Release Date: 1990-03-30

Meditation Music:

1. Strauss - Der Rosenkavalier / Schwarzkopf, Ludwig, Stich-Randall, Endelmann, Wächter; Karajan
2. Strauss: Die Frau ohne Schatten; Daphne
3. Strauss - Salome / Jessye Norman · Morris · Witt · Raffeiner · Leech · Staatskapelle Dresden · Ozawa
4. Szymanowski: King Roger
5. Telemann - Pimpinone / Baird · Ostendorf · St. Luke's BO · Palmer
6. The Gamblers
7. Three Hermits
8. Verdi: Arias, Vol. 1
9. Verdi Ballet Music
10. Verdi: Don Carlo / Muti, Teatro alla Scala

Meditation Music

meditation music

Meditation Music

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