Smetana: Dalibor

Amazon.com
Smetana's Dalibor is his tragic masterpiece, a typically Romantic tale of chivalry, betrayal, and the power of music to calm the soul. This performance, taken from the archives of Austrian Radio, features the legendary Leonie Rysanek (as well as her sister Lotte, who sounds rather like her), along with an exciting heroic tenor, Ludovico Speiss, in the title role, all under the baton of Josef Krips. It's a compelling example of the type of "ensemble" casting typical of Vienna in the 1950s and '60s, before star singers took over the world's operatic stages to the great detriment of dramatic coherence and breadth of repertoire. It was Mahler who first brought this opera to Vienna, and for all we know, this may be his version of the work--German language, cuts, and all. Anyone seriously interested in Smetana's operas will, of course, want one of the Czech versions on Supraphon, both of which offer the work complete in superb performances. But this is much more than a curiosity--an exciting, indeed visceral performance in its own right, and one which opera lovers (to say nothing of Rysanek fans) will snap up as a matter of course. --David Hurwitz

Smetana: Dalibor,Bedrich Smetana,Josef Krips,Adolf Dallapozza,Eberhard Wächter,Leonie Rysanek,Lotte Rysanek,Ludovic Spiess,Oskar Czerwenka,Tugomir Franc,Walter Kreppel,RCA,Classical,Classical Music,Czech Romantic Opera,Opera,Opera / Operetta / Oratorio

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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 Binding: Audio CD General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Lehár, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mahler | Mahler, Gustav | ( M ) | 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 Orff | Orff, Carl | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Smetana | Smetana, Bedrich | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | 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 General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | 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 Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | 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 | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Very Best of Victoria de los Angeles Lucia Popp: Opera Arias Very Best of Very Best of Artistry of Elly Ameling (Coll) ASIN: B0000AHEAY Release Date: 2003-09-02

Tracks:

1. Song To The Moon
2. Should I Ever Learn
3. How Confused I Feel
4. Solveig's Song
5. Solveig's Cradle Song
6. Amor Volat Undique
7. Stetit Puella
8. In Trutina
9. Vier Letzte Lieder
10. Vier Letzte Lieder
11. Vier Letzte Lieder
12. Vier Letzte Lieder
13. Symphony No. 4 In G
14. Tatiana's Letter Scene

Tracks:

1. Un Cenno Leggiadretto
2. Ho Perduto Il Caro Sposo
3. O Had I Jubel's Lyre
4. Laudate Dominum
5. Welche Wonne, Welche Lust
6. Porgi, Amor
7. Voi Che Sapete
8. Giunse Alfin Il Momento...Deh Vieni, Non Tardar
9. Crudele?...Non Mi Dir
10. Come Scoglio
11. Una Donna A Quindici Anni
12. Der Holle Rache
13. Ach, Ich Fuhl's
14. Crucifixus
15. Die Forelle
16. Gretchen Am Spinnrade
17. An Sylvia
18. Zueignung
19. Es Lebt' Eine Vilja
20. 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.

Average customer rating:

Vienna - The Mahler Years, 1897-1907 Manufacturer: Symposium ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Goldmark | Goldmark, Karl | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | 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 Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Smetana | Smetana, Bedrich | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thomas | Thomas, Ambroise | ( T ) | 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 General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Czech | Languages | 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 ASIN: B0001IW4LE Release Date: 2004-09-28

Average customer rating: Astounding nobel and tragic masterpiece

Bedrich Smetana: Dalibor Manufacturer: Supraphon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Smetana | Smetana, Bedrich | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B0000034ZZ Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

1. Dalibor; Act 1, Scene 1: Ovt. 'Today the judgement...'
2. Dalibor; Act 1. Scene 1: 'An orphan, abandoned...'
3. Dalibor; Act 1, Scene 1: March
4. Dalibor; Act 1, Scene 2: 'You know by now...'
5. Dalibor; Act 1, Scene 3: 'Step foreward w/o...'
6. Dalibor; Act 1, Scene 3: 'The sun did...'
7. Dalibor; Act 1, Scene 4: 'Ah, what a...'
8. Dalibor; Act 1, Scene 4: 'I won't deny it...'
9. Dalibor; Act 1, Scene 4: 'Committing crime thou...'
10. Dalibor; Act 1, Scene 4: 'Thus, Dalibor, reads...'
11. Dalibor; Act 1, Scene 5: 'Here do you...'
12. Dalibor; Act 1, Scene 6: 'What storm here...'
13. Dalibor; Act 2, Scene 1: 'Oh, yes, the gayest...'
14. Dalibor; Act 2, Scene 1: 'By this gay...'
15. Dalibor; Act 2, Scene 1: 'Of Dalibor's fate...'
16. Dalibor; Act 2, Scene 2: 'Oh, yes, the gayest...'
17. Dalibor; Act 2, Scene 2: 'Here greatest vigilance...'
18. Dalibor; Act 2, Scene 2: 'Oh, how saddening...'
19. Dalibor; Act 2, Scene 3: 'Everything's ready'

Tracks:

1. Dalibor; Act 2, Scene 4: 'Oh, goodness!'
2. Dalibor; Act 2, Scene 5: 'Here is the...'
3. Change of Scene 2
4. Dalibor; Act 2, Scene 1: 'It was he...'
5. Dalibor; Act 2, Scene 2: 'Accept, I beg...'
6. Dalibor; Act 2, Scene 2: 'Dalibor, i beg...'
7. Dalibor; Act 2, Scene 2: 'Oh, unspeakable charm...'
8. Dalibor; Act 3, Scene 1: Ovt. 'Glorious King'
9. Dalibor, Act 3, Scene 1: 'It will be near...'
10. Dalibor, Act 3, Scene 2: 'At this late...'
11. Dalibor, Act 3, Scene 2: 'Are you now...'
12. Dalibor, Act 3, Change of Stage 1. Scene 3: 'It's the third...'
13. Dalibor, Act 3, Scene 4: 'Oh, heaven!...'
14. Dalibor, Act 3, Scene 4: 'Let so it...'
15. Dalibor, Act 3, Scene 4: March
16. Dalibor, Act 3, Change of Stage 2. Scene 5: 'No trace as yet...'
17. Dalibor, Act 3, Scene 6: 'Milada!'
18. Dalibor, Act 3, Scene 6/7: 'Oh, behold this...'/'Enemy troops'

Amazon.com

A greater contrast to Smetana's preceding opera, "The Bartered Bride, can hardly be imagined. This gloomy tale of medieval chivalry, friendship, betrayal and vengeance has all of the tried and true operatic conventions (except they weren't conventions in the 1860s when Smetana wrote it!): There's the temperamental knight Dalibor whose troubled soul can only be soothed by the sound of his friend's violin; there's the vengeful daughter who finds herself falling in love with her father's killer (Dalibor, of course), and who then disguises herself as a man to save him. You know the drill. The opera was admired by Mahler, who produced it in Vienna, and not least by the great Czech conductor Zdenek Kosler, whose dying wish was to make this splendid recording. It is his musical testament. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Astounding nobel and tragic masterpiece.......2005-09-29

One could call this opera the the 'Bohemian Fidelio'. But where Fidelio ends in triumph, this opera ends with the (maybe inevitable) demise of the hero. And what a hero we have here! From the very moment our proud and determined hero enters the (sound)stage (Act I, Scene 4: 'Jaky to zjev!' 'Ah what a sight!'), accompanied by the noblest of marches, we are impressed with his presence which is to dominate and give a melancholic beauty and nobel strength to the whole opera for the rest of its duration. This is a very melancholic hero: knight Dalibor (like Florestan), fighting against injustice and the vainglory of the burgrave of Ploskovice, ultimately loses his best friend, Zdenek, in the fight: Zdenek is captured by the burgrave's guards and subsequently decapitated - his head put on a spike for everyone to see. In revenge, Dalibor kills the vain burgrave who has murdered his best friend. The burgrave's sister, Milada, at first is in shock about the death of her brother and wants revenge. But, learning about both sides of the story and the sincere and honest motives of Dalibor, is beginning to respect and ultimately love Dalibor.
Since the beginning of the opera, the spectre of Zdenek hunts Dalibor - truly magnificently invocated by Smetana by a sweet and beautiful melody for solo violin whenever Dalibor is talking about his friend or when he is sent into transports of ecstacy thinking or dreaming about him, namely in the dungeon where he ends up halfway through the opera. Dalibor is judged by the royal court and ultimately sentenced to death by the king, who of course cannot ignore this act of treason against the crown. But before this can happen, Dalibor is freed by the help of Milada and the (albeit unknowing) jailor (spectres of Fidelio!). A fight ensues in which firstly Milada, in an act of highest love and sacrifice, is killed. Now Dalibor, poclaiming his wish to join his beloved Zdenek and Milada in heaven fights and is killed as well...
Full of memorable melodies, this opera goes from one strength to another throughout its whole length. The whole work - the music as such, but especially this magnificent performance here by the Prague National Theatre Orchestra led by Zdenek Kosler - glistens with pride for the music and culture of Czechia. Also, many of the singers have a specific Central-European timbre to their voices that is nicely approprate, although some may dislike the wobbly and constricted-sounding singing of Jirina Markova (who sings the role of Jitka). But the voices of Leo Marian Vodicka (Dalibor) and Eva Urbanova (Milada) are powerful and clear, projecting much nobility and strength into their characters. But special praise must go to the orchestra and the conductor for playing this beauteous music with so much love, clarity and nobility.
I must confess I have never heard any other recordings of this (somewhat unknown and often downgraded) masterpiece, but I am afraid to do so for fear of losing the love I have for this performance, which holds one's attention from beginning to end. This recording IMHO is a resounding succes for all those involved!

Average customer rating:

Franz Völker: The Great Repertoire Manufacturer: Enterprise ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Smetana | Smetana, Bedrich | ( 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 General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B00001OH4Y Release Date: 1999-09-14

Tracks:

1. Il Trovatore: 'Dass Nur Fur Mich Dein Herz Erbebt'
2. Adia: 'O Ware Ich Erkoren...Holde Aida'
3. Otello: 'Du, Was Wilst Du?'
4. Otello: 'Jeder Knabe'
5. Rienzi: 'Allmacht' Ger Vater'
6. Tannhauser: 'Inbrunst In Herzen'
7. Lohengrin: 'In Fernem Land'
8. Lohengrin: 'Mein Lieber Schwan'
9. Die Walkure: 'Ein Schwert Verhiess Mir Der Vater'
10. Die Walkure: 'Wintersturme Wichen Dem Wonnemond'
11. Dalibor: 'Mein Zdenko'
12. Dalibor: 'Ach, Welchen Zauber'
13. L'Africaine: 'Land So Wunderbar'
14. La Juive: 'Kehr', O Gott Uns' Rer Vater'
15. La Juive: 'Recha, Als Gott Dich Einst'

Average customer rating:

Lebendige Vergangenheit: Franz Völker, Vol. 2 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 Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | 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 Smetana | Smetana, Bedrich | ( 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 Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | 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 General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Franz Volker ASIN: B0000023NF Release Date: 1995-02-07

Tracks:

1. Die Zauberflote: DIes Bildnis ist bezaubernd schon
2. Die Zauberflote: Wie stark ist doch dein Zauberton
3. Der Freischutz: Nein, langer trag' ich nicht die Qualen
4. Fidelio: Gott, welch' Dunkel hier
5. Die Judin: Kehr', o Gott uns' rer Vater, heute bei uns ein!
6. Rienzi: Allmacht' ger Vater, blick' herab
7. Der fliegende: Auf hohem Felsen lag ich
8. Tannhauser: Inbrunst im Herzen
9. Die Walkure: Ein Schwert verhiess mir der Vater
10. Die Walkure: Wintersturme wichen dem Wonnemond
11. Othello: Du, was willst du?
12. Der Bajazzo: Jenen Namen muss ich wissen jetzt
13. Dalibor: Mein Zdenko, Du hast wieder mich beschutzt
14. Dalibor: Ach, welchen Zauber, welche Wonne
15. Tiefland: Ich gruss noch einmal meine Berge
16. Tiefland: Mein Leben wagt ich drum

Average customer rating: A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF ADO Idealism Versus "Real Life" Tower of Czech Strength

Smetana: Dalibor Manufacturer: Supraphon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Smetana | Smetana, Bedrich | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B00005N6M1 Release Date: 2001-07-24

Customer Reviews:

A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF ADO.......2006-12-11

Forget the star-rating. Star-ratings are convenient up to a point, but there are times when they are useless and worse than useless, and this is one of those times. If anyone were to tell me that there was a version of Dalibor by, say, Karajan, that was free of the shortcomings of this set but which I could have as a 5-star alternative I would not even be interested.

Dalibor is a lovely work, and the special fascination of this set is to hear it performed by Czech performers in their 1950 style. Czech musicians tend to claim special expertise in performing their native music. That seems reasonable enough until one asks them why their current style of performance is not like that of Talich, to which they are prone to reply that Talich's way is not how they do it nowadays. The conductor here, Jaroslav Krombholc, is far less famous than Talich but he is roughly contemporary with him, and the political authorities in Czechoslovakia in 1950 were concerned to preserve their authentic national style. They were even reluctant to let their star tenor Beno Blachut travel abroad, and I have to agree that he does his country and the role of Dalibor proud here.

The reissue of this set on cd is from 2001, nothing is said about remastering of the sound, but as 1950 sound I would say it is rather good. Indeed, some of the faults seem to have taken place at the time of the transfer. In particular the divisions between tracks sometimes occur at odd places, and what on earth happened at the start of act III, the changeover from track 7 to track 8 on the second disc? In general, the sound tends to add a touch of `edge' to some of the voices, particularly the soprano voices, which is a slight pity as they are not the strongest performers among the cast to begin with. Stefa Petrova as Jitka is a bit unsteady and wobbly, and her voice is not the most seductive I ever heard. Marie Podvalova in the bigger part of Milada is better, and really powerful and impressive in her duet with Dalibor in act II, but the wobbles get to her slightly in act III, and when she shows a touch of strain in high-lying passages the recording does her no favours. Fortunately the male soloists and the chorus come off much better. All have agreeable voices, and Karel Kalas as the elderly gaolor manages to sound the part very realistically. However, one of the main reasons for having this set is to hear Blachut, who is simply magnificent. This is no assembly-line voice, and to say the least this is no run-of-the-mill musician. I actually used to speak a little Czech although it is not so much rusty as totally disintegrated by now, but I can still appreciate hearing the language sung by those born to sing it, and when it comes to as great an artist as Blachut the sense of authenticity compounds the joy of listening to his beautiful tone and lyric power.

Bohemia in the 19th century was a bit of a musical backwater. In the sphere of opera this was the age of Berlioz, of Verdi, and of course of Wagner. Smetana had to do most of the spadework in establishing a native operatic tradition, and it seems to me that he acquits himself magnificently despite some severe handicaps. The hand of the amateur shows in the libretto in the first place. I have no particular interest in the question of how true to history it may be to represent Dalibor as some hero. From an operatic point of view, the sad truth appears to be that the story-line is about as unimaginative as could be, er, imagined, and the characters are stuffed parrots with no individuality. Above all, absolutely nothing actually HAPPENS in this libretto. Everything is either reported, or pointed to, or commented on, and in act I especially the inaction is stretched out to painful length. Verdi would have known how to teach such a librettist his business, but Smetana just works with what he has been given, and I give him very high marks indeed for achieving variety in the pace of the story and the mood of the various dialogues. Creative staging would have helped if we could see the action, but even without it the music is still convincing and involving, not to say beautiful in the extreme.

Not everything is totally `professional', and I'm almost inclined to say all the better for that. Professionalism is of course admirable, but sometimes there is a sense of spontaneity when the artists are feeling their way to some extent, and it's a sense I enjoy in this Dalibor. The orchestra, for one example, is a standard 19th century symphony orchestra and not some Berliozian or Wagnerian sound-orgy. In general Smetana's writing for it is adept and colourful, but a couple of attempts at achieving staginess by using a harp really sound simply out of place. Again, you would not think you were listening to the Berlin Phil or the LSO, but what interests me is to hear genuine Czech players from an era before they became more assimilated.

I should ignore the much-noticed resemblance to Fidelio in one detail of the plot. It is unfair to Smetana, who is setting a folk-tale and not proclaiming human liberation via music. Indeed, for all the greatness of Fidelio in so many ways, I still think that old man Beethoven was no stage-dramatist whereas the way Smetana surmounts the inadequacy of his libretto suggests to me that his gifts in that direction were considerable. There are too many rough edges to this endearing production for me to give it 5 stars in the conventional way, but conventionality is not what I was looking for. What it offers me is something far better, something I don't expect to find again soon, if ever.

Idealism Versus "Real Life".......2006-09-24

Dalibor was a legendary hero of the late 15th century treated as a Czech national treasure by the opera. A minor fault is that the libretto is translated into unidiomatic English. The sound is reasonably good considering the recording date in 1950. Nationalism of the sort presented here may seem naive; but opera thrives on such idealism and suffered from the lack of it in the 20th century. Dalibor is preferable to Janacek's Jenufa despite the prowess of Janacek's music. Jenufa wallows in what some choose to call "the human condition," i.e. lack of faith and hope. I keep asking myself as I listen to Jenufa, "What is the meaning of all this?" Dalibor, on the contrary, displays value and meaning in every scene. Granted that the historical character Dalibor was not much like the opera's hero, a taste for such heroes, whether fact or fiction, correlates with arete, the courageous willingness to act rather than wallow in passive despair. The ideal Dalibor of the opera speaks for the audience when he affirms, "And though my days were never bright, from childhood I liked storms, struggles, deeds of valor, and gratefully review them from this place." As we are caught up in Smetana's forceful music, we gratefully review this Czech affirmation of courageous vitality. Premiering in 1868, the opera serves as an effective Slavic introduction to Russian operas to follow: Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov, Rubenstein's The Demon and Tchaikovsky's Eugen Onegin.

Tower of Czech Strength.......2004-07-08

This, the first of Supraphon's three complete recordings of "Dalibor," is an outright winner. Afficionadi generally prefer this one to the latter two, though the slighty harsh and metallic mono sound of this 1950 release could put off modern operaphiles. This should not, however, be a deterrent for those who dare sample the glories of the Prague National Theater in the period immediately following World War II.

The title part is taken on by the legendary Czech tenor Beno Balchut, whom some have compared to Nicolai Gedda but with a glint of extra metal to the voice; even so, the timbre is soft as velvet, and his easy enunciation and naturalistic production of the Czech language help amalgate the ideal instrument for these youthful heroic tenor parts in Czech opera that became Blachut's specialty. The voice develops a beat here and there, but his marvelously sympathetic and deeply felt singing (technically fine too: listen for a top B in a beautiful 'voix mixte') confirms his grand reputation, a reputation he established in 1945 with this very same part.

Marie Podvalova is a passionate, womanly Milada with real gleam in the voice at the most opportune moments; she is sometimes unsteady but always moving. The other soprano, Stefa Petrova, sounds edgy and lacks the required heft for the role of Jitka, but she sings with spirit; so does the other tenor, Antonin Votava, whose sweet, cheerful lyric tenor presents no vocal shortcomings and much pleasure.

The lower male voices score strong points with Vaclav Bednar's expansively sung and richly expressive Vladislav; his phrasing and verbal coloring in the Act 3 aria rate comparison to the great German baritones. The fine old bass Karel Kalas has dark effulgent tone and characterfulness to burn; the low notes are impressive. Baritone Teodor Srubar is a more than adequate Budivoj.

Krombholc conducts well with a fine sense of drama and panache, and the chorus and orchestra of the Prague National Theater give their best. Anyone with an intense interest in Czech opera and Czech singing should acquire this recording; as for the generalist who wants only one "Dalibor" in his collection, he could do well by this one if he doesn't mind the mono sound, but the 1967 Supraphon release with Kniplova and Pribyl, also under the excellent Krombholc, might be the better choice.

Average customer rating: Not To Be Missed

Smetana: Dalibor Manufacturer: Supraphon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Smetana | Smetana, Bedrich | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B00000JN0W Release Date: 1994-05-31

Customer Reviews:

Not To Be Missed.......2003-09-22

"Dalibor" is generally considered Smetana's second most successful opera after "The Bartered Bride." Indeed, it deserves more attention than it gets -- Smetana proves he can represent pathos and heroism as well humorous village life by giving us one oustanding number after the next here. In terms of music characterizing atmosphere, setting, psycholgical motive and aesthetic beauty, "Dalibor" is one of those splendidly right operas but strangely kept a secret. Because of its resemblace to "Fidelio," some have dismissed it as derivative, but anyone who takes this opera seriously knows it is by no means a rip-off and has only superficial resemblances to Beethoven's masterpiece. "Dalibor" is very much a masterpiece entirely on its own steam.

Luckily, Supraphon has produced several fine recordings of this opera, one in 1950 boasting Beno Blachut's legendary interpretation of the title role (in mono); the first stereo version in 1967 (under discussion here); and a 1995 digital release with Eva Urbanova. (There was also a 1978 recording, which is unavailable.)

For me, the 1995 release, though appreciable, falls behind its predecessors. It's not an easy task choosing between the 1950 and 1967 versions, but the use of spatially imaginitive stereo and a markedly superior supporting cast help throw the balance to '67. Moreover, the conductor of both sets, Jaroslav Krombholc, seems a shade more dynamic and emotionally reponsive in the latter set. In both he maintains a supreme sense of musical architecture.

As an entity, the principal cast of 1950 supercedes that of '67, but '67 has a hero and heroine who more-or-less equal their predecessors. Vilem Pribyl, the eponymous hero, had a splendid voice, a tightly knit, effortlessly produced spinto tenor somewhat in the mould of Bergonzi with fine expressive gifts and a supernatural sense of line. Conventional wisdom prefers Blachut, but I can't see Pribyl's Dalibor as a lesser achievement. He is splendidly partnered by Nadezda Kniplova, a controversial voice (known in the West primarily as a massive, vocally flawed Brunnhilde) but nevertheless an overwhelming force of nature who gives enormously of her vocal and dramatic powers. One might wish for an easier top register, but she was an exciting singer, reminding me by turns of Inge Borkh, Birgit Nilsson and Leyla Gencer.

The leading baritone and bass are never less than capable, but they could be more interesting. The supporting cast, however, brings us Hana Jaku's dazzling Jitka; Janku posessed a sleek dramatic soprano and went on to specialize as Turandot throughout western Europe, very successfully. Jitka is too often undercast with a soubrettish voice, so Janku's participation is gold here. Antonin Svorc, Zdenek Svehla and Dalibor Jedlicka -- all first rate Czech singers -- fill out the support beautifully. One even wonders if Svorc and Jedlicka might have been promoted to principal baritone and bass. The Prague National Theater's orchestra and chorus are superb.

"Dalibor" is not an opera to be missed, and this recording, in spite of tough competition, tops the list.

Average customer rating:

Prima Voce: Emmy Destinn Manufacturer: Nimbus Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Smetana | Smetana, Bedrich | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thomas | Thomas, Ambroise | ( T ) | 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 General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Czech | Languages | 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 Similar Items: Prima Voce: Emilio De Gogorza ASIN: B0000CGP2Z Release Date: 2004-03-02

Tracks:

1. Dich Teure Halle
2. Ballad Der Senta
3. Einsam In Truben Tagen
4. Jokanaan Ich Bin Verliebt
5. Dein Haar Ist Grasslich
6. Tu, Tu Piccolo Iddio
7. Un Bel Di Vedremo
8. Jak Je Mi (War Es Wahr)
9. Je Vais Danser (Tanzszene)
10. Mon Coeur (Sieh Mein Herz)
11. Vissi D'arte
12. Suicidio
13. Kennst Du Das Land
14. O Patria Mia
15. Allmachtige Jungrau
16. Lieblicher
17. Es Geht Auf Mitternacht
18. O Viens
19. Es Dammert
20. Morro Ma Prima In Grazia
21. Cradle Song (Ukolebavka)

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Smetana: Dalibor Manufacturer: Opera D'oro ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Smetana | Smetana, Bedrich | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B000AMWITY Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

1. Heut' Richtet Man Hier Dalibor!
2. Entry Of The King: Ihr Wisst, Wie Lange Dieses Konigreich
3. Erhebe Nun Die Klage
4. Wie, Das Ist Er? Dies Dalibor?
5. Schwerer Verbrechen Klagt Man
6. Durch Ein Verbrechen Suchtest Du
7. O Furst, Ich Flehe Um Sein Leben
8. O Gott, Welch Aufruhr
9. Kein Schoneres Leben Is Auf Der Welt
10. Sag, Dalibors Geschick Ist Wohl Bekannt
11. Hor Mich Gut An, Was Ich Dir Sage
12. Ach, Wie Traurig Ist Mein Geschaft
13. Alles Ist Fertig, Geht Nur Hinein
14. Ist Es Wahr?

Tracks:

1. Interlude
2. War Es Ein Traumbild?
3. Knarrt Da Nicht Die Ture?
4. O Ungeahntes Gluck Der Liebe
5. Mein Herr Und Konig
6. In Spater Stunde
7. Seid Ihr Zu Ende?
8. Interlude
9. Hort Noch Niemand Die Zeichen Der Geige?
10. Milada!... Wo Bin Ich?
11. Gefangen Sind Sie Alle, Bis Auf Ihn

Album Description

An exciting performance of Smetana's historic-tragic operatic masteripiece, Dalibor, a romantic tale of chivalry and patriotism. Gustav Mahler first conducted Dalibor in Vienna and this probably represents his performing version. Never before available at budget price, this opera stars the legendary soprano Leonie Rysanek along with her younger sister, Lotte, also a fine singer, and the heroic tenor Ludovic Spiess who will surprise those who haven't heard of him! Live performance in German, 1969.

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Dalibor Smetana , Monk , Gedda , Foss , Kubiak , and Gnieweck Manufacturer: Ponto [Mitridate] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B0002Y4SL6 Release Date: 2004-05-01

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