Schubert:Fierrabras

1. Fierabras, opera, D. 796
   Composed by Franz Schubert
   Performed by Arnold Schoenberg Choir
   with Robert Gambill, Robert Holl, Laszlo Polgar, Chamber Orchestra Europe, Cheryl Studer, Karita Mattila, Thomas Hampson, Brigitte Balleys, Josef Protschka, Hartmut Welker
   Conducted by Claudio Abbado
   
   

Schubert:Fierrabras,Franz Schubert,Claudio Abbado,Chamber Orchestra of Europe,Arnold Schoenberg Choir,Cheryl Studer,Karita Mattila,Josef Protschka,Robert Gambill,Brigitte Balleys,Hartmut Welker,Laszlo Polgar,Robert Holl,Thomas Hampson,Polygram Records,Classical,Classical Music,German/Austrian Romantic Opera,Opera

---

Average customer rating:

Schubert:Fierrabras Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Gambill, Robert | ( G ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Studer, Cheryl | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Schubert, Franz | 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 Similar Items: Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella ASIN: B000001GAL Release Date: 1991-01-18

Average customer rating: Franz Liszt was wrong - Schubert could compose operas

Schubert: Fierrabras Manufacturer: Myto Records Italy ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( 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 German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000001MHZ Release Date: 1994-04-18

Tracks:

1. Act One: Ouverture
2. Act One: Der Runde Silberfaden
3. Act One: O Mog' Auf Froher Hoffnung Schwingen
4. Act One: Die Beute Lass, O Herr
5. Act One: Lass Uns Mutvoll Hoffen
6. Act One: Der Abend Sinkt Auf Stiller Flur
7. Act One: Was Qualst Du Mich, O Missgeschick!
8. Act Two: Im Jungen Morgenstrahle
9. Act Two: Beschlossen Ist's, Ich Lose Seine Ketten!
10. Act Two: Was Mag Der Ruh Bedeuten?
11. Act Two: Weit Uber Glanz Und Erdenschimmer
12. Act Two: Verderben Denn Und Fluch
13. Act Two: Lasst Friede In Die Hallen
14. Act Two: Im Tode Sollt Ihr Bussen
15. Act Two: Die Brust, Gebeugt Von Sorgen
16. Act Two: Wo Ist Er? Nicht Des Todes Grauen
17. Act Three: Des Jammers Herbe Qualen
18. Act Three: Zum Tode Fort!
19. Act Three: Nun Lasst Des Langersehnten Glucks Uns Freuen

Customer Reviews:

Franz Liszt was wrong - Schubert could compose operas.......1999-06-13

Have you ever heard an opera by Franz Schubert? "Fierrabras" is an example to do it. Okay, the story is still an engima, the lyrics are okay (if German is not your preferred language), but the music is Schubert at it's best.

After an ouverture with promises you the middle age we enter the palace with the maiden. Track #3 is one of the best love-duetts I've ever heard. Why it's never sung in one of the "Best love duetts" on CD with actual soloists I can't imagine. May be Pavarotti or else have no idea what they miss.

Track #8 is a farewell chorus full of hope, coming back alive from battle. Sure not Beethoven? Certain, Schubert.

Florinda's aria in #15 remembers at an aria of hate and revenge of Electra or Salome by Richard Straus, but it's only Schubert, who can't compose operas.

Poor Liszt, what have you read? Not heared, because no one performed after your comment Schubert Operas for about a century. I feel sorry for all the peoples having never seen an opera or even heared composed by Schubert. This will be a chance, change old bias.

Average customer rating: Excellent performance of a rarely performed masterpiece A Really Good Romantic Opera Why Fierrabras and not Florinda?

Schubert: Fierrabras Protschka , Mattila , Studer , Gambil , Hampson , Abbado , and Chamber Orchestra of Europe Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Classical | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella ASIN: B00005KBJM Release Date: 2001-06-01

Tracks:

1. Ov - The COE/Claudio Abbado
2. Act 1, No.1. Intro: Der Runde Silberfaden - Brigitte Pinter/Karita Mattila
3. Act 1, No.2. Duett: O Mog' Auf Froher Hoffnung Schwingen - Robert Gambill/Karita Mattila
4. Act 1, No.3. Marsch Und Chor: Zu Hohen Ruhmespforten - Arnold Schoenberg Chor/Erwin Ortner
5. Act 1, No.4. Ens: Rezitativ Und Chor: Rezitativ: Die Beute Lass, O Herr, Die Krieger Teilen/Chor... - Peter Svensson/Thomas Hampson/Robert Holl/Arnold Schoenberg Chor/Erwin Ortner
6. Act 1, No.4. Ens: Arioso Und Chor: Arioso: Des Krieges Los Hat Euch Mir Ubergeben/Chor: Dem... - Robert Holl/Arnold Schoenberg Chor/Erwin Ortner
7. Act 1, No.4. Ens: Rezitativ Und Erzahlung: Rezitativ: Wer Bist Du, Dessen Tiefgesenkter Blick... - Robert Holl/Thomas Hampson/Josef Protschka
8. Act 1, No.4. Ens: Ens Und Chor: Der Landestochter Fromme Pflichten - Karita Mattila/Brigitte PInter/Robert Hall/Josef Protschka/Thomas Hampson
9. Act 1, No.4. Ens: Qt Mit Chor: Dem Erfolg Vertrauen - Michael Weber/Peter Svensson/Robert Holl/Karita Mattila/Robert Gambill/Josef Protschka...
10. Act 1, No.4. Ens: Marsch Und Chor (No.3 Da Capo): Zu Hohen Ruhmespforten - Arnold Schoenberg Chor/Erwin Ortner
11. Act 1, No.5. Duett: Lass Uns Mutvoll Hoffen - Josef Protschka/Thomas Hampson
12. Act 1, No.6. Finale I: Romanze (Duett): Der Abend Sinkt Auf Stiller Flur - Robert Gambill/Karita Mattila
13. Act 1, No.6. Finale I: Rezitativ Und Arie: Was Qualst Du Mich, O Missgeschick!... In Tiefbewegter... - Josef Protschka
14. Act 1, No.6. Finale I: Ens: Doch Horch! Was Regt Sich Noch In Stiller Nacht? - Josef Protschka/Arnold Schoenberg Chor/Erwin Ortner/Karita Mattila/Robert Gambill
15. Act 1, No.6. Finale I: Szene Und Terzett: Ha, Hier Waltet Ein Verrat! - Josef Protschka/Robert Gambill/Karita Mattila
16. Act 1, No.6. Finale I: Rezitativ: Nun Fasset Mut! - Josef Protschka/Karita Mattila
17. Act 1, No.6. Finale I: Rezitativ, Terzett Und Ens: Rezitativ: Ha! - Wie, Emma Hier?/Terzett: Das... - Karita Mattila/Josef Protschka/Robert Holl
18. Act 1, No.6. Finale I: Rezitativ, Terzett Und Ens: Ens: Dich Rief Ich, Eginhard - Robert Holl/Robert Gambill/Karita Mattila/Josef Protschka
19. Act 1, No.6. Finale I: Qt Mit Chor: Fort Zum Siegesreigen - Michael Weber/Karita Mattila/Robert Gambill/Josef Protschka/Robert Holl

Tracks:

1. Act II, No.7. Lied Mit Chor: Im Jungen Morgenstrahle - Robert Gambill/Thomas Hampson/Michael Weber
2. Act II, No.8. Rezitativ, Marsch (Mit Melodram) Und Ens: Rezitativ: Beschlossen Ist's, Ich Lose... - Robert Gambill/Hartmut Welker/Laszlo Polgar
3. Act II, No.8. Duett Mit Chor: Was Ist Ihm Geschehn? - Thomas Hampson/Peter Svensson/Michael Weber
4. Act II, No.9. Duett: Weit Uber Glanz Und Erdenschimmer - Cheryl Studer/Brigitte Balleys
5. Act II, No.10. Qnt: Verderben Denn Und Fluch - Laszlo Polgar/Cheryl Studer/Brigitte Balleys/Robert Gambill/Hartmut Welker
6. Act II, No.11. Chor: Lasst Friede In Die Hallen - Arnold Schoenberg Chor/Erwin Ortner
7. Act II, No.12. Terzett Mit Chor: Im Tode Sollt Ihr Bussen - Laszlo Polgar/Thomas Hampson/Cheryl Studer/Michael Weber
8. Act II, No.12. Terzett Mit Chor: Sie Sollen Erblassen In Heimlicher Not - Laszlo Polgar/Cheryl Studer/Thomas Hampson/Michael Weber
9. Act II, No.13. Arie: Die Brust, Gebeugt Von Sorgen - Cheryl Studer
10. Act II, No.14. Chor A Cappella: O Teures Vaterland! - Robert Gambill/Peter Svensson/Thomas Hampson/Michael Weber
11. Act II, No.15. Melodram: Melodram, Rezitativ Und Ens: Melodram: Ha! Was Ist Das?/Rezitativ Und... - Michael Weber/Jorg Schluckebier/Peter Svensson/Thomas Hampson/Cheryl Studer
12. Act II, No.15. Melodram: Duett Mit Chor: Selbst An Des Grabes Rande - Thomas Hampson/Cheryl Studer/Michael Weber
13. Act II, No.16. Chor Und Melodram: Chor: Der Hoffnung Strahl, Den Du Gegeben/Melodram: Ha, Neue Qual! - Michael Weber/Peter Svensson/Thomas Hampson/Cheryl Studer/Robert Gambill
14. Act II, No.17. Finale II: Terzett Und Chor: Uns Fuhrt Der Vorsicht Weise Hand - Robert Gambill/Thomas Hampson/Cheryl Studer/Michael Weber
15. Act II, No.17. Finale II: Melodram: Schutzt Ihn, Ihr Ew'gen Machte! - Cheryl Studer/Michael Weber
16. Act III, No.18. Chor: Bald Tonet Der Reigen - Brigitte Pinter/Karita Mattila
17. Act III, No.19. Qt Und Szene: Bald Wird Es Klar - Robert Holl/Karita Mattila/Josef Protschka
18. Act III, No.19. Qt Und Szene: Wo Ist Mein Koniglicher Herr? - Robert Gambill/Karita Mattila/Josef Protschka/Robert Holl
19. Act III, No.20. Terzett: Wenn Hoch Im Wolkensitze - Josef Protschka/Robert Gambill/Karita Mattila
20. Act III, No.21. Arie Mit Chor: Des Jammers Herbe Qualen - Cheryl Studer/Michael Weber
21. Act III, No.21. Marcia Funebre (Mit Melodram) Und Ens: Melodram: Welch Neuer Schreck!/Ens: Ha!... - Cheryl Studer/Jorg Schluckebier/Michael Weber
22. Act III, No.22. Chor Und Ens: Chor: Der Rache Opfer Fallen - Laszlo Polgar
23. Act III, No.22. Chor Und Ens: Ens: Erbarmen Fleht Zu Deinen Fussen - Cheryl Studer/Laszlo Polgar/Michael Weber/Thomas Hampson
24. Act III, No.23. Finale: Rezitativ: Er Is Mein Vater, Halte Ein! - Josef Protschka/Cheryl Studer/Michael Weber
25. Act III, No.23. Finale: Ens: Der Sieg Begleitet Meine Tapfern Heere/Rezitativ: Nun Lasst Des... - Robert Holl/Laszlo Polgar/Robert Gambill/Karita Mattila/Josef Protschka/Cheryl Studer...
26. Act III, No.23. Finale: Schlussgesang: Vereint Durch Bruderbande - Robert Holl/Karita Mattila/Thomas Hampson/Peter Svensson/Jorg Schluckebier/Rainer Brandstetter...

Customer Reviews:

Excellent performance of a rarely performed masterpiece.......2006-03-28

Schubert's operas have not received the attention that they actually deserve. This is even the case with Fierrabras, which is his major work for the genre. Conductors, directors, opera lovers, etc. - they have all rejected this work. For what reason? Well, the history is that the taste of the Vienna audience required Italian operas (i.e. Rossini); unfortunately at the time Schubert tried to get his masterpiece staged. As a result, it was first staged some 60 years after Schubert's death, and then by people who evidently prioritized some stereotyped idea of "opera" before the peculiar musical ideas of a master. In fact, the opera was not staged (nor recorded) unabridged before the Abbado 1988 live performance caught on this set. Thus it never became a part of the opera repertoire. I suppose this is the main reason for the rejection.

Fierrabras is a romantic opera. Perhaps the plot is not the very best, naive and melodramatic as it is - but the same goes for Beethoven's Fidelio, which has a classical status. In fact, if you can stand the plot of Fidelio, you will have no trouble with Fierrabras which is built on a similar conception. In contrast to Fidelio, however, one can note how well Schubert develops his intricate music around the characters - it is an early attempt to use "leitmotifs".

So, arguably, the main feature of this work is the music itself, which is exceptionally fine and convincing. It contains some of Schubert's finest choral music, and many of its duets are wonderful compositions.

Abbado's concentrated and beautiful interpretation, an excellent ensemble, the fine orchestral playing, and a fine recording contribute to the excitement. This set is clearly a better choice than the abridged Myto recording with Wunderlich, which is the only alternative as far as I know. The only drawback is that no texts and translations are provided, only a summary of the plot. Nonetheless, warmly recommended!

A Really Good Romantic Opera.......2004-05-04

I've been learning a few things about opera in the last few years. The most important is that the Wagner-disease that afflicted opera reviewers for 150 years has cost all of us a lot of good music. The Wagner-disease is easy enough to diagnose: it's symptoms are a belief that the libretto is coequal or even superior to the music. Music must be meaningful - beautiful just won't do - it might even be a handicap. So we've learned that baroque Italian operas were a waste until Gluck's "reforms." Bel Canto was nearly forgotten and wouldn't have been revived had it not been for Calas and Sutherland. Oh yea: Haydn's operas were a waste. Thanks to folks like Cecilia Bartoli we've found out that these opinions are rubbish. (Check out Bartoli & Hogwood's version of Haydn'd Orfeo: it's terrific.)
We also know that Schubert couldn't compose for the stage. Judging from Fierrabras this is more rubbish. Let's get this out front - the libretto is a little silly. Something about Charlemagne. So what. The opera includes a great many splendid moments. In style and impact it reminds me very much of Weber's Freischutz or even Fideleo (another opera with a pretty lame story.) The orchestration is tuneful and vigorous - it was composed by Schubert after all. There is wonderful singing in every scene. Anyone with a taste for early romantic opera should get this work, particularly concerning the attractive price.

Why Fierrabras and not Florinda?.......2003-08-24

Other than being the only one of the heroes who finishes up without a girl, his is not even one of the most distinctive parts and he gets nothing to sing in Act II. Florinda is a more dramatic role than the rest put together despite not appearing in Act I. The basis of the plot is as follows:-

Emma daughter of Charlemagne secretly loves Eginhard who is out of favour with her father who is at war with the Moors. In Charlemagne's victorious retinue is Roland who has captured Fierrabras son of the Moorish Prince Boland. Fierrabras secretly loves Emma since he met her in Italy 4 years previously. Roland secretly loves Florinda sister of Fierrabras after meeting her in Italy at the same time. Fierrabras is gutted to find that Emma loves Eginhard, but tries to protect their secret from Charlemagne who gets the idea that Fierrabras must have seduced Emma. Got all that? Oliver is also in Charlemagne's retinue but has only a minor part compared with Roland who is on no account to be confused with Boland. To my Anglophone ears Boland seems an odd name to come from that part of the world, but he is not alone in that -- the minor Latin epic poet Silius Italicus has a Carthaginian soothsayer called Bogus. Another intriguing touch is that Boland plans to burn his foes at the stake. I thought it was Christians who did that.

In Act II some melodramatic, if not exactly dramatic, action gets going. It seems to have been Liszt who originally said that Schubert could not compose operas. I am not about to contradict the great man, but a more charitable view could see his statement as a bit of a sweeper. The very helpful liner notes say very sensibly that Fierrabras probably makes a good spectacular, and that combined with the music, which after all is not by just anyone, makes it perfectly viable on its own terms. Mozart or Verdi, born dramatists both, would probably have struggled to give individuality to the characters, and Schubert was only feeling his way in opera. I for one would certainly go to see it if I got the chance.

The music is good without being exactly the greatest Schubert. Act I is mainly ensembles and you could well find some new favourite Schubert tunes among them if the score is new to you. Act II, as well as having some real action, starts with the best tune of all oddly prefaced with a single all-together-now chord, much the way Jimmy Shand and his Band used to start everything. The singing strikes me as very good without any of it being exceptional, and the recording ditto. In the last resort this is a major piece of out-of-the-way Schubert. I believe he had the greatest purely musical gift any man ever had, and he would surely have achieved things unthinkable, in this form as in the others, had he lived. The liner gives the first line of each number followed by a summary of the rest rather than the full libretto, which strikes me as admirably practical. So 5 stars and no nitpicking.

Meditation Music:

1. Siegfried Matthus: Graf Mirabeau
2. Songs With Orchestra
3. Tchaikovsky - Mazeppa / Leiferkus · Gorchakova · Kotscherga · Dyadkova · Larin · Pederson · Margison · Zednik · Neeme Järvi
4. The Best of Giacomo Puccini [Import]
5. Verdi: Aïda (Highlights)
6. Verdi: Aida
7. Verdi: Don Carlo (Complete Opera) / Carreras [Box set]
8. Verdi:Il Trovatore
9. Verdi: Il Trovatore
10. Verdi: Il Trovatore (Highlights)

Meditation Music

meditation music

Meditation Music

Time After Time: Best Of [Import]

Trios 1969-1994

Vivaldi, 12 Sonatas for Violin, Op. 2

Music: Higher Things

Trance 2001 0.001: Music 4 the Next Generation [Import]

Trance Nation Harder: Mixed By Judge Jules [Import]

Two Cries for Freedom (Dos Gritos de Libertad)

To Tulsa and Back

Traffic from Paradise

The Shape I'm In: Best of the Band [Import]

Two Sides of Doc Severinsen

Umit Davala 2004 [Import]

Welcome to the Undaworld

The Live Set

Ambrosia: The Music of Kenny Barron