Release Date: 12 January 1999
Label: Naxos - Nxc / Naxos Classics
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 730099443821
Genres: Classical
Composer/Series: MOZART
Release Date: 01 January 2000
Label: Naxos - Historical / Naxos Historical
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 2
Barcode: 636943112724
Genres: Classical
Composer/Series: MOZART
Description
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791): Die ZauberfloteA Singspiel in two acts (K620), to a libretto by EmanuelSchikaneder This historic version of Die Zauberflote was originally made on37 78rpm sides in November 1937 and February/March 1938. It was the opera'sfirst complete recording, issued by HMV as the fourth work in the Mozart OperaSociety series. Its three predecessors in that series - Le nozze di Figaro,Cosi fan tutte and Don Giovanni - had all been made at the recentlyfounded Glyndebourne Festival and were conducted by Fritz Busch. Plans werealready afoot in the summer of 1937 to record Die Zauberflote with thosesame forces when the project was abruptly cancelled. It was not until thefollowing November that John Christie, founder of Glyndebourne, realised why SirThomas Beecham had been invited to record the opera with the BerlinPhilharmonic and several soloists from the Berlin Staatsoper instead.Christie's fury at this change of plan abated when he eventually heard Beecham'ssuperb interpretation for himself, one which has remained a classic, andagainst which newer versions are invariably compared. The recording, made in the fine acoustic of Berlin's Beethovensaal, appears to havebeen more difficult to complete than the artists expected. Beecham returned to Germany in the late winter of1938 to continue what he had clearly hoped to finish three months earlier. Eventhen, he had to leave again before a successful 'take' of the Queen's aria 'Ozittre nicht' (CD I track 5) could be made. It was finally recorded on 8thMarch, conducted by Bruno Seidler-Winkler, but the performance is certainlynone the worse for his four minute contribution. No dialogue was included, and inthat respect it differs from many modern versions; but with the set alreadyrunning to nineteen 12" records, stored in four albums, to have added moremust have been considered far too weighty. If it is Beecham's participation in the recording that makes it hors concours,the contributions of the singers must certainly not be underestimated. It issometimes suggested that political considerations were a factor in theselection of the cast and that some more celebrated or experienced singers mightotherwise have been chosen to take part. Even if this were so, it would havebeen difficult to better the list of names that can here be heard at the peakof their powers. Lemnitz is a melting Pamina, her shimmering soprano ideal inits purity for the role. Roswaenge is heavier of voice than some of his fellowTaminos, but he displays the elegant ability to combine power with gentlenessand gives a masterful performance. What a lovable birdcatcher is Gerhard Husch'sPapageno. He springs right out of the grooves to address us face to face - whata way with words he has, what a friend he is! As Queen of the Night, ErnaBerger displays her brilliant coloratura to great advantage, even if her timbreis more girlish than the wicked monarch deserves; but how good i
Tracklisting
Tracklisting
Various Artists
Various
Various
Various
Tullio Serafin
Soloists
Soloists
Soloists
Soloists
Soloists
Soloists
Soloists
Soloists
Soloists
Soloists
Soloists
