Strauss: The Chocolate Soldier

Der Tapfere Soldat (The Chocolate Soldier), operetta
Composed by Oscar Straus
with Boyd Mackus, Elizabeth Peterson, John Pickle, Suzanne Woods

Strauss: The Chocolate Soldier,Oscar Straus,Boyd Mackus,Elizabeth Peterson,John Pickle,Suzanne Woods,Newport Classic,Classical,Classical Music,German/Austrian Operetta,Opera,Opera / Operetta / Oratorio

Average customer rating:

Really More Like a 7 or 8!
Golden Age Recording Worth Its Weight In Gold

Hilde Gueden Sings Operetta Evergreens

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Elisabeth Schwarzkopf - A Viennese Evening with Willi Boskovsky
Great Recordings Of The Century - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf Sings Operetta / Ackermann

ASIN: B000174LXO
Release Date: 2004-04-13

Tracks:

Entry Of Mariza
Sag' Ja Mein Lieb, Sag' Ja
Mein Liebeslied Mub Ein Walzer Sein
Kosende Wellen
Heut Konnt Einer Sein Gluck Bei Mir Machen
Nonnenchor
Hor' ich Zymbalklange
Mein Herr Marquis
Mein Herr Marquis
Sei Nicht Bos
Held Meiner Traume
Wiener Blut

Customer Reviews:

Really More Like a 7 or 8!.......2007-07-27

The above review from 2004 sums up this Cd very well. Here we have everything right - great operetta singing by one of the most charming lyric sopranos of moden times; fabulous sound; and wonderful sumptious orchestra playing. Most of the selections are the cream of the repetoire.
And so what happens? A mere two years after release the CD is deleted!
Marketing of course is behind this obscenity. Agents want their rising stars pushed, not old-timers. Reissues come and go, but as time goes on segments of classical music, no longer popular, disappear. A generation obsessed with rap doesn't want Viennese waltzes. (And doesn't deserve them, either.) Gueden and this music is out - instead we have young photogenic beauties singing very nicely on NEW recordings. Oddly enough, much of what these new singers record can be pretty esoteric stuff - a further indication that main stream America no longer listens to classical music as they did forty or fifty years ago. The days when you could hear Doug Pledger playing Oscar Strauss tunes on San Francisco's main classical radio station have gone forever. For the iPod generation Hilde is not so much yesterdays news as simply antideluvian, suitable for people like their grandparents who listen to Lawrence Welk.
Pick it up if you can find it. The notes, by the way, are microscopic: hopefully it will be reissued with decent size print.
But don't count on it.

Golden Age Recording Worth Its Weight In Gold.......2004-05-17

I'll have to admit, when it comes to re-releases of classical music, I am usually an easy target, but when the CD that is re-released from LP to CD format has a retro cover, I'm almost always a sucker. All I need to do to prove this point is show people the RCA Red Seal releases I have in my collection. Why do these recordings have such an appeal? Many of them I listened to when growing up and many are the very recordings that introduced me to classical music and started me on a lifelong appreciation of wonderful sounds performed by the world's foremost performers. When it has an original cover, I am transported back in time, albeit without scratches thanks to digital re-mastering. That being said, when I saw a vintage re-release of a Prima Donna with a French poodle (it dates back to 1961, would she be pictured any other way?), my curiosity was piqued. I was naturally drawn to Decca's re-release of a Hilde Gueden recording of operetta favorites. After listening, I realized I struck gold with this collection.

When performing, Hilde Gueden's repertoire tended toward Mozart roles and some Germans works, although she had success in a wide variety of roles including Gilda and Musetta. Her voice is light yet disciplined which makes her a natural for operetta arias. It is evident from listening that Ms. Gueden not only is a capable performer, but enjoys the music she is performing. This recording contains many of the standard favorites such as "Hore ich Zigeurnergeigen" from GRAFIN MARIZA, Straus' Wiener Blut, and the Nuns' Chorus from Casanova to name a few. She performs as a soloist in many of the tracks though in some she is accompanied by the wonderful Vienna Operetta Choir. Robert Stolz does a wonderful job conducting the Vienna Staatsoper Orchestra.

Tracks:

Ov - The Chicago Theatre Of The Air/Henry Weber
We Are Marching Through The Night (Soldiers) - The Chicago Theatre Of The Air
What Can We Do Without A Man? (Aurelia, Mascha and Nadina) - Ruth Slater/Virginia Haskins
My Hero (Nadina) - Virginia Haskins
The Chocolate Soldier (Nadina And Lieut. Bumerli) - Virginia Haskins/David Poleri
Sympathy (Lieut. Bumerli and Nadina) - Virginia Haskins/David Poleri
Romanze: Tiralala (Nadina) - Virginia Haskins
Our Heros Come (Barbarians) Ensemble - The Chicago Theatre Of The Air
Alexius The Heroic (Into Thank The Lord The War Is Over) Ensemble - The Chicago Theatre Of The Air
The Tale Of A Coat (Colonel Popoff Et Al) - Arwin Schweig
Forgive! (Lieut. Bumerli) - David Poleri
That Would Be Lovely (Nadina And Lieut. Bumerli) - Virginia Haskins/David Poleri
The Letter Song (Nadina) - Virginia Haskins
The Letter Song (Nadina And Lieut. Bumerli) - Virginia Haskins/David Poleri
Finale: My Hero - The Chicago Theatre Of The Air
Vocal Gems - Elizabeth Wheeler/Lucy Marshal/Margueite Dunlap/Frederick Gunster/Harry Mcdonough/John Beiling...
Vocal Gems For The Purist: The Original 78 RPM Transfer - Elizabeth Wheeler/Lucy Marshal/Margueite Dunlap/Frederick Gunster/Harry Mcdonough/John Beiling...

Average customer rating:

Chocolate Soldier a delicious treat
Delightful operetta.
tuneful, well-recorded, delightfully produced
At last, complete!

Strauss: The Chocolate Soldier

Manufacturer: Newport Classic
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

De Koven - Robin Hood / Ohio Light Opera
THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER
The Queen

ASIN: B00000IGPL
Release Date: 1999-03-23

Tracks:

The Chocolate Soldier: Act One - Opening: 'Always Marching'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act One - Dialogue : 'My Dear, Come'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act One - Aria: 'How Handsome ...Come'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act One - Dialogue: 'WHo Is There?'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act One - Duet: 'Of All The Soldiers'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act One - Dialogue: 'Shhh! Quiet!'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act One - Duet: 'It's Such A Tragic'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act One - Dialogue: 'Nadina...Nadina!'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act One - Ensemble: 'Search And Seize
The Chocolate Soldier: Act One - Dialogue: 'Thank God'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act One - Trio: 'Three Ladies Sat'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act Two - March: 'Oh, Shout'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act Two - Dialogue: 'Ah! It's Good'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act Two - Duet: 'In Such Affairs'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act Two - Dialogue: 'A Little Coffee'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act Two - Quintet: 'Defeating'

Tracks:

The Chocolate Soldier: Act Two - Dialogue: 'What Can A Man'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act Two - Aria: 'Sometimes A Man'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act Two - Dialogue: 'Oh, My God'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act Two - Duet: 'So You Are Laughing'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act Two - Dialogue: 'Is It True?'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act Two - Sextet: 'When A Man'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act Two - Dialogue: 'The Ladies'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act Two - Duet: 'There Once Was'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act Two - Dialogue: 'I'm Giving'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act Two - Finale: 'People, Come'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act Three - Letter Scene: 'My Darling'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act Three - Scene: 'Forgive...Forgive'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act Three - Dialogue: 'Thank You'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act Three - Duet: 'We're Going To Marry'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act Three - Dialogue: 'I Think It'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act Three - Quartet: 'It's A Problem'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act Three - Dialogue: 'You Must'
The Chocolate Soldier: Act Three - Finale: 'Come, Come'

Customer Reviews:

Chocolate Soldier a delicious treat.......2002-01-22

The Ohio Light Opera is one of those "Best Kept Secrets" on the American cultural scene today. Why Opera News magazine doesn't do a big spread on this troupe out in Wooster Ohio is a mystery.
Perhaps because the main fare of this wonderful company is little known operetta material rather than the zillionth La boheme or traviata. Surely OLO is making more "news" than the less adventurous companies playing it safe with Verdi and Puccini. End of sermon. The fact here is that this lovely Oscar Straus (one "s," I think, and no family relationship with Johann or Richard) score has not been previously recorded, surely not complete with dialogue and music. The series of CDs this company has turned out recently does this very thing--for better or worse (some of the "books" are pretty antiquated)--but as a nostalgic and musical docoumenting of works which were somehow relevant 100 years ago and can still move us with their charming musical scores, this work is terrific.

Suzanne Woods in the principal soprano role is creamy and wonderful and the Ohio Light Opera orchestra most tuneful. The live recording is often just a little distracting, but one can imagine the shenanigans onstage and feel all the fun both cast and audience are having with the production. So, why not. Newport Classics is/are to be thanked for their courage in bringing this dellightful stuff from another time to us. Thanks.

Delightful operetta........2000-10-26

There are many operettas more famous than The Chocolate Soldier but few that are better. The plot is amusing and the musical score is filled with memorable tunes -- including the big hit, generally known as My Hero which recurs throughout the score. The Ohio Light Opera company is to be commended for making this delightfully tuneful gem available. But how long will it stay in the catalog? Who kows? If you like operetta/light opera, please treat yourself to The Chocolate Soldier while it's still available.

tuneful, well-recorded, delightfully produced.......1999-09-22

Beautiful recording for a live performance, excellent orchestral playing and lively, youthful attentive cast. Excellent buy!!

At last, complete!.......1999-08-17

The really good news is that after offering us the very first complete (dialogue included) recording of Victor Herbert's Eileen, wonderful little Newport Classic now gives us a complete performance of Oscar Straus' The Chocolate Soldier (NPD 85650/2) with the Ohio Light Opera under J. Lynn Thompson. Be assured there is a new translation used here-no more of that horrible "Thou art divine" that Rise Stevens had to sing in the film-and the dialogue is intelligent for an operetta (a non Gilbert & Sullivan one, I mean) because it draws upon the wit of George Bernard Shaw (who had disassociated himself from the work and lost a fortune in royalties by doing so.) While it is not as consistently tuneful as Der Fledermaus-and what German operetta is?-there are enough pleasant tunes to keep you listening many times to this Newport offering. The soloists are never less than good: Suzanne Woods, Daniel Neer, Greta Feeney, John Pickle, Elizabeth Peterson, and others are having a lot of fun and it comes across. Of course my preference is to hear German works in German (I'm really being picky this week), but there is no harm in knowing what is being sung without a libretto. And Newport is to be congratulated for consistently giving with its CDs excellent notes and the full texts. Lovers of light opera should pounce on this one. And do not forget the Eileen on the same label. Buy one for yourself, one as a terrific gift for a discerning friend.

Average customer rating:

Hilde Güden singt

Manufacturer: Preiser Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | 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: B00000C3R4
Release Date: 1998-07-04

Average customer rating:

Superb Operetta Collection

Treasures of Operetta

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00022M49G
Release Date: 2004-06-29

Tracks:

Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Si (The Scale Song)
O Queen Of My Delight
Let Me Dance And Let Me Sing
My Hero
My Heart And I
Trot Here And There
Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!
Love Unspoken
Don't Be Cross
Charming Weather
I'm Off To Chez Maxim
On My LipsEvery Kiss Is Like Wine
The Colonel Of The Crimson Hussars
At The Balalaika
A Bad Boy And A Good Girl
The Doleful Prima Donna
O Let Me Hold Your Tiny Little Hand
The Yeomen Of England
Military Life!

Tracks:

Vilia
My Song Of Love
Girls Were Made To Love And Kiss
Lightly, Lightly
The Nun's Chorus And Laura's Song
Thin, Thin Is My Dear Gwendolin'
Philomel
Waltz Of My Dreams
You Are The World To Me
Dance While You May
A Paradise For Two
Romany Life
It's Not A Sin To Kiss
Tell Me, Pretty Maiden
Why Did You Kiss My Heart Awake
Star Of My Soul
It Is Love

Customer Reviews:

Superb Operetta Collection.......2006-09-12

Surely this must be the finest collection of songs in Enlgish from operettas and early 20th century musicals available anywhere. Marilyn Hill Smith is in fine voice and is admirably partnered by baritone Peter Morrison. This two CD collection is truly a 'treasure.' It belongs in the collection of any English speaking lover of operetta.

Average customer rating:

Prima Voce

Manufacturer: Nimbus
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000024NK1
Release Date: 1992-01-01

Tracks:

Mah Lindy Lou
Sing A Song Of Sixpence
The Green Eyed Dragon
Trees
My Journey's End
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Gwine To Hebb'in
Take Me Back To My Boots And Saddles
I Love Life
Home On The Range
Showboat: Ol' Man River
Ev'ry Time I Feel De Spirit
The Lord's Prayer
Sailormen
Annie Laurie
Lord Randall
Bendemer's Stream
Gipsy Baron: Love Can Be Dreamed & Mine Alone
Gipsy Baron: Open Road
Sylvia
The Choclate Soldier: My Hero
HMS Pinafore: When I Was A Lad

Average customer rating:

PURE GOLD! GLORIOUS SINGING, GLORIOUS MUSIC!

Treasures of Operetta

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000JWJ5
Release Date: 1999-08-17

Tracks:

Der Schatzmeister: The Scale Song
Casanova: 'O Queen Of My Delight'
Die Csardasfurstin: 'Let Me Dance And Let Me Sing'
The Chocolate Soldier: 'My Hero'
Old Chelsea: 'My Heart And I'
Veronique: 'Trot Here And There'
Naughty Marietta: 'Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!'
The Merry Widow: 'Love Unspoken'
Der Obersteiger: 'Don't Be Cross'
The Arcadians: 'Charming Weather'
The Merry Widow: 'I'm Off To Chez Maxim'
Giudetta: 'On My Lips Every Kiss Is Like Wine'
Sybil: 'The Colonel Of The Crimson Hussars'
Balalaika: 'At The Balalaika'
The Quaker Girl: 'A Bad Boy And A Good Girl'
Der arme Jonathan: 'The Doleful Prima Donna'
Der Schatzmeister: 'O Let Me Hold Your Tiny Little Hand'
Merrie England: 'The Yeomen Of England'
Der Fremdenfuhrer: 'Military Life!'

Tracks:

The Merry Widow: 'Vilia'
White Horse Inn: 'My Song Of Love'
Paganini: 'Girls Were Made To Love And Kiss'
Monsieur Beaucaire: 'Lightly, Lightly'
Casanova: The Nun's Chorus And Laura's Song
Die drei Wunsche: 'Thin, Thin Is My Dear Gwendolin'
Monsieur Beaucaire: 'Philomel'
A Waltz Dream: 'Waltz Of My Dreams'
Der singende Traum: 'You Are The World To Me'
The Land Of Smiles: 'Dance While You May'
The Maid Of The Mountains: 'A Paradise For Two'
The FortuneTeller: 'Romany Life'
Bruder Straubinger: 'It's Not A Sin To Kiss'
Floradora: 'Tell Me, Pretty Maiden'
Friederike: 'Why Did You Kiss My Heart Awake'
The Geisha: 'Star Of My Soul'
Les saltimbanques: 'It Is Love'

Customer Reviews:

PURE GOLD! GLORIOUS SINGING, GLORIOUS MUSIC!.......2001-06-13

I first fell in love with this collection when I checked it out at the library as "Treasures of the Operetta". Two more CDs followed--"Treasures of the Operetta II and III." I was not prepared for the impact these exquisitely crafted recordings would have on me.

I have long had a love of operetta but found that there were not a large number of recordings to be found in that genre. So much the happier was I for discovering this diverse collection of operetta standards. True serendipity!

Marilyn Hill Smith and Peter Morrison deliver thrilling renditions of the operetta masters. We hear selections from Johann Strauss, Lehar, Kalman, Herbert, Oscar Straus, Millocker, Messager, Stolz and Tauber, to name a few. There are the often sung showpieces and lesser known songs which are blended well and add diversity. One glorious song sets the stage for the next.

With Miss Smith's crystal, velvety soprano and Mr. Morrison's rich, romantic baritone, the production leaves nothing left to be desired--except for more of the same musical charm.