Sings Wagner 1942-1944

1. Tristan und Isolde, opera, WWV 90 Die alte Weise, was weckt sie mich
Composed by Richard Wagner
with Max Lorenz , Jaro Prohaska
Conducted by Robert Heger

2. Tristan und Isolde, opera, WWV 90 Das Schiff
Composed by Richard Wagner
with Max Lorenz , Jaro Prohaska , Paula Buchner
Conducted by Robert Heger

3. Die Walküre (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b Fridmund darf ich nicht heißen
Composed by Richard Wagner
with Kurt Bohme , Max Lorenz
Conducted by Karl Elmendorff

4. Die Walküre (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b Ein Schwert verhieß mir der Vater
Composed by Richard Wagner
with Max Lorenz
Conducted by Karl Elmendorff

5. Die Walküre (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b Dich, selige Frau
Composed by Richard Wagner
with Max Lorenz , Maria Reining
Conducted by Artur Rother

6. Die Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d Siegfried, schlimmes wissen wird dir zu künden
Composed by Richard Wagner
with Margarete Klose , Max Lorenz , Hilde Scheppan
Conducted by Robert Heger

7. Die Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d Brünnhilde, heilige Braut!
Composed by Richard Wagner
with Max Lorenz
Conducted by Robert Heger

Tracks:

Star Of the Evening
O My Beloved
Fierce Flames Are Raging
Love Like Mine Is the Light Of Creation
That Ungrateful Man Betrayed Me
Where Was I?
My Beloved
Hence, Iris Hence Away!
Tell Me, My Beating Heart
See, O Norma
O Hated Gift
Juliet's Waltz Song

Customer Reviews:

The Art of Serious Fun.......2007-07-01

While most opera stars are submitting to record label hype and narrow artistic freedom, Jennifer Larmore seems to be flourishing in the recording studio. With Opera Rara and now Chandos behind her, she continues to offer sumptuous recordings that are both entertaining and of great artistic caliber. Certainly Larmore does not have to prove herself as she has been performing for nearly 25 years. Anyone who has seen her live knows she is the real deal and she is in top form on this arias disc. Now, mind you, she is singing both mezzo and soprano roles here. And in English. I was skeptical. Being a huge Larmore fan, I though "uh, oh"...My last Chandos purchase was Elizabeth Futral's arias disc and I was not impressed. But here the translations (sung in delicious theatrical English), top-notch singing by Je La and perfect conducting by David Parry with the Philharmonia Orchestra combine to make a highly addictive disc that will go down in history with Larmore's classics Where Shall I Fly and Call Me Mister. She really sets the bar high for other singers.

Thankfully, Larmore goes out of her comfort zone and sings some arias that one would not normally associate with this fearless singer. The Don Carlos and Trovatore arias will certainly give her naysayers something to chew on, but she does it! Note the last few bars of "O Hated Gift". I was on the edge of my seat.

The opening number ("Star of the Evening" from Adriana Lecouvreur) alone is worth the price of the disc. Orchestra and singer match brilliantly and Larmore's final bars brought tears to my eyes. It's good stuff.

The weak spots are minor. Poor Colin Lee is left on the floor in the Favorita duet. A more experienced tenor would have made this duet electrifying. On the other hand, Larmore alone (track 2) singing "O My Beloved" from Favorita proves (as she did in 2001 with OONY) that she should be singing this role on the stage and in a full recording while we're at it. She is Leonora and the tension she creates is heartbreaking.

I could have done without Hence, Iris Hence Away, heard on her In Performance DVD and Where Shall I Fly cd (surely there are other Handel arias, but perhaps that's another Chandos disc in the works???!!!), but it displays how she can still sing Handel like no other. The Tancredi aria is a nice surprise.

The Gioconda track is a blood and guts duet thanks to Susan Patterson and Larmore's singing. I love how Opera Rara and Chandos recital cds always include duets and more. Larmore is a generous singer and part of her genius is how she works off other artists.

As with every Larmore recital disc, she closes with a treat. Juliet's Waltz Song from Gounod's Romeo and Juliet???? Is she kidding??? Nope. I've heard many a soprano struggle though this aria and merely pull it off with a pinched high note. Should Larmore be singing this aria? Hell, no...Can she? Hell, yes!!! But what's so special is she sings it with pure pleasure; as if she'd sung this song her whole career. Not as a mezzo slumming it in soprano territory. And I think that's what she's trying to tell us here. Have fun, be true to your art form and never pander to your audience.

Larmore at her best again!.......2007-06-01

Jennifer Larmore is my favorite mezzosoprano since the very first time. Such an extraordinary artist! To enjoy!

Jennifer Larmore es mi mezzosoprano favorita desde la primera vez que la escuché. Es una artista extraordinaria y este nuevo cd, a pesar de estar grabado en inglés, muestra, una vez más, la calidad interpretativa de esta maravillosa cantante. Incluso se permite el lujo de cantar el vals de Juliette con más seguridad que muchas sopranos que la tienen en repertorio.

The Essential Jessye Norman [Includes DVD: Jessye Norman Sings Carmen]

Average customer rating:

wonderful
Favorite Soprano: Gorgeous Dramatic Voice
Amazing.... if you get it somewhere else
A MUST HAVE...
Amazing Voice

The Essential Jessye Norman [Includes DVD: Jessye Norman Sings Carmen]

Manufacturer: Philips
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Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00067GKEM
Release Date: 2005-01-11

Tracks:

Quand Je Vous Aimerai? L'amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle (Habanera)
Pres Des Ramparts De Seville (Seguidilla)
Porgi, Amor, Qualche Ristoro
E Susanna Non Vien! ... Dove Sono I Bei Momenti
Regina Coeli Laetare ... Inneggiamo, Il Signor Non E Morto (Easter Hymn)
Thy Hand Belinda ... When I Am Laid In Earth
Cacilie, Op. 27 No. 2
Wiegenlied
Villanelle (No. 1)
Standchen
Ave Maria
Amazing Grace
Somewhere
With A Song In My Heart
O Holy Night
Panis Angelicus
Mild Und Leise (Isoldes Liebestod)

Customer Reviews:

wonderful.......2007-04-04

This record is wonderful; simply Jessye Norman. What else can I say: loved it!

Favorite Soprano: Gorgeous Dramatic Voice.......2006-11-05

The first time I ever heard Jessye Norman sing was a recording of Dich Teure Halle from Wagner's Tannhauser, and I was immediately enchanted. She has a gorgeous ringing tone and powerful voice. However, she can also bring her voice to a delicate sweetness that other dramatic sopranos find difficult. This album is put together particularly well. I love her Carmen and Isolde here, but I cannot stop listening to the other songs either, the non-operatic ones included. This my favorite CD, and I would definitely reccomend it to anyone considering the purchase.

Amazing.... if you get it somewhere else.......2006-05-28

I got it for HKD $69 in HKV in Hong Kong (which is around 8.70USD)

A MUST HAVE..........2006-02-09

The American soprano Jessye Norman was born in Augusta, Georgia (the segregated South) on September 15, 1945 in a family of amateur musicians; her mother a pianist, her father a singer in a local choir.

Norman received a scholarship to Howard University (a historically black university in Washington, D.C.) -NOT INDIANA-, graduating in 1967 with a degree in music. The following year, she won the ARD International Music Competition in Munich. She made her operatic debut in 1969 as Elisabeth in Richard Wagner's Tannhäuser at the Berlin State Opera, and in subsequent years performed with various German and Italian opera companies. She returned to the US to make her professional concert debut at Lincoln Center in 1973.

Amazing Voice.......2005-07-06

Jessye Norman has possibly the greatest voice I have ever heard. Being a bass/baritone, I usually shy away from higher voices (especially tenors), but I find this soprano to be flooring. For being a classicaly trained vocalist (she attended Indiana University) Ms. Norman has an incredibly versatile voice. In this album alone, she sings broad French arias, light Mozart, spirituals, and Broadway. Each is done superbly. Out of every track, her rendition of "Ave Maria" is my favorite. She sings it so tenderly and intimately, it is like she is singing it directly in front of you. You will be moved, certainly.

I suggest this CD to everyone, a fan of classical music or not. It is important for everyone to have these songs to relax, calm down, or to just listen to. You would not regret it.

Average customer rating:

Oh my gawd....
Bo Knows Opera
ANOTHER WONDERFUL BARITONE
Bo Skovhus at his best
Light years beyond Hampson

Bo Skovhus Sings Opera Arias
Erich Wolfgang Korngold , Ambroise Thomas , Charles Gounod , Jules Massenet , Giuseppe Verdi , Benjamin Britten , Richard Wagner , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , English National Opera Orchestra , James Conlon , and Bo Skovhus
Manufacturer: Sony
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ASIN: B00000AG7L
Release Date: 1998-09-15

Tracks:

Die tote Stadt: 'Da Ihr befehlet, Konigin...Mein Schnen, mein Wahnen'
Hamlet: 'Spectre infernal!'
Hamlet: 'C'est en croyant revoir...O vin, dissipe la tristesse!'
Hamlet: 'J'ai pu frapper le miserable...Etre ou ne pas etre'
Hamlet: 'La fatigue alourdit mes pas...Comme une pale fleur'
Faust: 'Avant de quitter ces lieux'
Werther: 'Pourquoi me reveiller, o souffle du printemps?'
Don Carlos: 'C'est moi Carlos...Oui, Carlos! Oui, c'est mon jour supreme...Carlos, ecoute'
Billy Budd: Look! Through The Port... And Farewell To Ye, Old Rights O' Man!'
Tannhauser: 'Blick' ich umher in diesem edlen Kreise'
Tannhauser: 'Wie Todesahnung Dammrung deckt die Lande...O du, mein holder Abendstern'
Eugene Onegin: 'Vy mne pisali'
Eugene Onegin: 'Uzel ta samaja Tat'jana'
Pique Dame: 'Vy tak pecal'ny, dorogaja...Ja vas ljublju'

Customer Reviews:

Oh my gawd...........2004-06-24

What a wondrous singer...I absolutely agree with all the other reviews here but add:

1) he sounds as though he's singing in his First Language, whether it be French, English, German or Russian.

2) he lets his soul come out (simce Mme Callas this remains a rare event).

3) Sidebar: the San Francisco Merry Widow, whilst a delight and a wonder, is NOT fair to this man's voice.

A magnificent recital album. Every prominent opera singer out there should be jealous.

Bo Knows Opera.......2002-08-28

In the forward to this cd, John Bell Young, makes the argument that the darker, mellow baritone is an often underated part of the opera repetoire. I don't fully agree with him - there are fantastic, exciting lead roles for these men: Hamlet, Nabucco, Rigoletto, and The Barber of Seville - all glittering showcases of virtuoso. And even the supporting roles they often play, are thrilling - Scarpia can easily steal the show away from Tosca and her hero with his magnicent, albeit short, scenes; and Escamillo often wins not only the affection of Carmen, but that of an entire opera house... Still, all said and done, this is an interesting introduction to a man who is every bit as dashing, musical, and talented as any tenor to grace the stage.
Bo Skovhus showcases such extreme range in vocal talents and emotion. His tone is beautiful. His breath control and phrasing are astounding. Diction is clear and defined - especially the German arias. This is an extremely talented man.
The Korngold aria is mesmerizing in it's romantic beauty. But my favorite selections on this album are the pieces from "Hamlet"; this is french lyricism at its most marvelous, glorious, heart-sweeping grandeur. I can not imagine a better man to play this most famous anti-hero.
I cannot recommend this cd highly enough. While some Italian arias would have been a nice addition, I won't hold it against my recommendation. Skovhus's interpretation of the tenor's aria from "Werther" makes up for this.
Next time you are out purchasing yet another famous tenor's album, to hear the one hundreth version of "Celeste Aida", buy this cd instead. Give this baritone a chance, and soon you'll be humming songs a minor third lower.

ANOTHER WONDERFUL BARITONE.......2002-08-23

I first heard Bo Skovhus on a Laser Disc recording of the War Requem. I was very impressed. However until this opera recital I had not heard him again. This is truly an impressive recording. I place him up there with my other favorite baritones! He's still young so, hopefully, he has many more good years left in him!

Bo Skovhus at his best.......2002-05-17

Bo Skovhus' lovers undoubtedly awaited this comprehensive choice of arias, which almost concludes his (still young) operaic work. Well known alongside less known operas constitutes a perfect choice. From Verdi through Thomas, from Korngold to Britten and the Russian arias, mastering the variety of languages, and dealing with every single role in a very sensitive way. This unique choice and the qualities of his full, beautiful and warm voice makes one regret, that the entire opera was not recorded with him in the relevant roles, like Thomas's Hamlet for example, or Britten's Billy Budd. It leaves a taste of wanting to hear more of this young and talented Baritone, whose repertoire is much larger than could be presented in one - indeed excellent - CD.

Light years beyond Hampson.......2001-12-09

I just can't heap enough praise on Skovhus. I saw him for the first time at the Houston Grand Opera in a production of Billy Budd and was sold. This CD demonstrates very well what an immensely expressive and flexible voice Skovhus possesses. He has incredible core to his voice which allows him to attack bravado sections with zeal, but also has the musical expressivity to pull back and caress piano lines with ease and artistry while still maintaining his core sound. Hampson, who is notorious for becoming breathy and pop-like in pianissimo passages, can't touch Skovhus with a 10, 100, or 1000 foot pole.

Tracks:

Ariadne auf Naxos: Es Ist alles vergebens - Es gibt ein Reich
Salome: Es ist kein Laut zu vernehmen
Salome: Ah! du wolltest mich nicht deinen Mund kussen lassen, Jochanaan
Salome: Sie ist ein Ungeheuer, deine Tochter
Salome: Ah! Ich habe deinen Mund gekusst, Jochanaan
Elektra: Was willst du, Fremder Mensch?
Die Fau Ohne Schatten: Es dunkelt, dass ich nicht sehe zur Arbeit
Die Fau Ohne Schatten: Es gibt derer, Die bleiben immer gelassen Abtu ich von meinem Leibe die Kinder
Die Fau Ohne Schatten: Die Weib ist irre - Barak, ich hab es nicht getan
Tannhauser: Dich, teure Halle
Lohengrin: Euch Luften, die mein Klagen
Lohengrin: Elsa!-Wer Ruft?
Lohengrin: Ortrud, wo bist du?

Tracks:

Tristan und Isolde: Horst du sie noch?
Tristan und Isolde: Mild und leise wie er lachelt
Die Walkure: Schlafst du, Gast?
Die Walkure: Wintersturme wichen dem Wonnemond
Die Walkure: De bist der Lenz
Die Walkure: O susseste Wonne! Seligstes Weib!
Die Walkure: Siegmund heiss ich und Siegmund bin ich!
Siegfried: Ewig war ich, ewig bin ich
Gotterdammerung: Schweigt eures Jammers jauchzenden Schwall
Gotterdammerung: Starke Scheite, Schichtet mir dort

Customer Reviews:

The whole career of one of the greatest singers of all time.......2007-01-14

I could nor beleive my eyes when I saw the price of this recording. It covers the whole career of the greatest Wagner and Strauss singer in the last half of the 20th Century. I think the whole performance of Ariadne of Naxos allurs in the archives of the Swedish Broadcasting company - a release, please!
When the news arrived that La Nilsson hade died in her home, surrounded by family members and near friends, on Christmas Day 2005 (kidneys not functioning, and no more dialysis possible) - we at once underrstand her uniquiness - there was nobody there to take over the helm and shield....It is quite wonderful that this eextensive compilation was published just recently. It is a very worthy portrait of a blessed singer!

Birgit Sings Like Sweetness.......2007-01-08

This is the first time I had heard Birgit Nilsson sing. The CD was great. However, I did have to blast the music because it is the original recording on the CD. Besides the quality it is worth purchasing if you want to hear one of the best. Her voice is clear and sweet, and welcoming to the ears.

A Document In The Grand Career Of Birgit Nilsson (1918-2005).......2006-03-23

The great soprano from Sweden, Birgit Nilsson, once contemplated suicide when she met with dismal reviews in her first perfomrance as Agathe from Weber's Die Freitschutz, for she was inexperienced and fresh out of the farm she grew up in. She went on to become the greatest dramatic soprano of all time, and for me, she is an even more thrilling and masterful soprano than the overrated Maria Callas. Birgit Nilsson died of unknown causes in her hometown of Sweden on Christmas of '05 only months ago. Her huge, steely, bright, metallic voice was reportedly capable of breaking glass and stone. This album covers many years in her career. Her Ariadne is not well known and it's captured in a young voice (50's) and she is in phenomenal shape. The dramatic heft of the role is suited to her voice. Wagner was her specialty of course and here we have slices of her Elisabeth from Tannhauser. She also sang Venus. Isolde was another great role of hers (the one she debuted at the Met) and Brunhilde is of course her best role. Singing Strauss is no piece of cake but when we listen to her Salome and Elektra and Dryer's Wife from Die Frau we are hearing a woman who, despite age, is singing with strength and vigor. She gets into character each time and she sings beautifully. All fans of La Nilsson must get this one.

Great.......2003-08-20

This is a very good CD for people who follow Birgit Nilsson's development. It contains live performances from 1949 (Ariadne auf Naxos - Nilsson sang Ariadne!!) to 1977 (Dyer's Wife in Die Frau Ohne Schatten). You can see her development from young to old over close to 30 years. For someone like me who have many of Birgit Nilsson's commercial recordings, this is a great CD too because it allows me to compare her 'live' performances with the studio recordings. It also enables me to see how her voice developed over the years. For instance, her voice grew in warm as she progressed in her career. By 1977, her voice had lost some ease - you can tell that she has to sing with more effort but her top register is still amazing, the gleam is still there even if it is more effortful to produce (when I say effortful I mean by young Birgit Nilsson standards - if you compare with other singers, she still sings effortlessly). Imagine - by 1977, she was 59 and she still puts singers singers half her age at 30 to shame. A very interesting CD in very mono sound. 5 stars for Nilsson's superb performances (her vocalism never fails to amaze me), for a fantastic variety of excerpts, for very mono sound, for the historical importance of this CD and for the incredible bargain price ... for 2 CDs.

Customer Reviews:

Jesseye Norman a maserful interpreter of wagner!!!!!!.......2003-08-18

Wagner:Opera Scenes by Jesseye Norman is perfection.I play this cd often while I'm reading from Lord of the Rings by J.r.r.Tolken.This music takes you places in the imagination,and so does the grand & noble voice of Jesseye Norman.I've never heard another singer make wagner's vocal music sound so beautiful as Ms.Norman does here.I give this cd my blessing to become a classic.I hope others find this album as enjoyable as I do. Ps.Jesseye's voice is leviathian in scope and rich in tone.

Average customer rating:

Highly under-rated singer.
Thrilling
Best of all possible worlds ...
A great Heldentenor in thrilling form

Heppner Sings Wagner

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000EPFDOY
Release Date: 2006-05-09

Tracks:

Ein Schwert Verhiess Mir Der Vater
Wintersturme Wicchen Dem Wonnemond
Siegmund Heiss Ich Und Siegmund Bin Ich!
Notung! Notung! Neidliches Schwert!
Hoho! Hoho! Hohei! Schmiede, Mein Hammer, Ein Hartes Schwert
Dass Der Mein Vater Nicht Ist
Noch Einmal, Liebes Voglein
Selige Ode Auf Sonniger Hoh!
Siegfrieds Rheinfahrt
Brunnhilde, Heilige raut!
Trauermarsch

Customer Reviews:

Highly under-rated singer........2007-05-28

You may wonder why this title, but...
if you are looking for tenors to hold up the banner after the big Three, Ben Heppner certainly is one such. Probably he should be one of the big FOUR, but nobody in the 'popular' classical world seems to recognise this, except a bunch of diehard vocal followers.
Big Ben has been around singing top quality stuff for more than a decade now. Surely, being burly and middle-aged, he isn't that fancy stuff for today's opera goers. Even the once good-looking face is aging fast.
So what? His voice sounds young and vibrant. This recording of the Ring cycle tenor excerpts is a real gem in any collection.
It is heartening to know that there IS around in this generation a heldentenor in the calibre as big Ben. His Siegfried is hard to beat - not even my favorite heldentenor Windgassen.
Yea, DG is being stingy, and Ben deserves more recordings on Wagner. I am also dying to get a Tristan recording by him. Not necessarily Eaglen, but certainly very few sopranos could match Heppner in such repertoire.
And I am dying to hear Ben in recital in my part of the world, too.

Thrilling.......2007-02-12

He's no Melchior, but no one is. Heppner is the first in a long while to even be mentioned in the same breath as the great heldentenors of the past, and that's no mean feat. In this recording, he displays the all the hallmarks of a great Wagnerian singer: intelligence, immaculate breath control, and richness of tone. This is a must-buy.

Best of all possible worlds ..........2006-08-13

Ben Heppner must have the ideal voice for Wagner: great strength and stamina combined with intelligence of phrasing and flowing legato. I will not try to compare with many other beautiful (modern) Wagner tenor voices that I know - for example such great (but very different) artists like Jon Vickers, Placido Domingo, Rene Kollo and Siegfried Jerusalem (maybe my favorite, especially in the excellent Barenboim Ring), whose recordings of this repertoire/role I love - because such an attempt would be way out of my league.
Anyhow, Mr. Heppner is to my ears an intelligent singer who IMHO here finds a exquisite balance between power, strength and lyricism. His clear diction of the German 'poem' (as Wagner called his own libretto's) is just fine, and his delivery is always completely involved and convincing, without any sentimentality. Very 'pure' singing.
And very pure and intelligent music-making as well. The Staatskapelle Dresden is a veritable wellspring of velvety, transparent and crystal-clear, naturally flowing Wagner sounds. The conductor Peter Schneider balances out the instruments exquisitely, so that one is able to hear instrumental details and colorings often unheard in other recordings, but never obtrusively so, because at the same time, orchestral sound is beautifully homogenous and naturally blended. I like it very much indeed. The sound reminds me very much of the early 1980's recording of Wagner's Ring by the same orchestra under Marek Janowski. This is a gorgeous orchestra! Richard Wagner himself didn't call it a 'Wunderharfe' (wonder harp) for nothing :-)
And, by the way, we shouldn't forget Burkhard Ulrich's Mime, who is quite evocative, providing nice foil for Mr. Heppner's Siegfried.
If I may be allowed to sum up or describe the characteristics of this recorded performance in just one or two words, then I would like to say it is intelligent and astute, beautifully balanced - literally, but figuratively speaking as well: I may be wrong here, but the music and singing always feels emotionally 'controlled'. But maybe that is an inappropriate description, and should I say 'refined'. But please, do yourself a favour, buy this album and decide for yourself what you feel when listening ...
To end, I would like to say that I could never do without singers like Jon Vickers and Placido Domingo in this repertoire (whose timbres, sheer power and ability to evoke a sense of emotional abandon I like so very much), but beautiful Ben Heppner is quite something as well! Anyhow, we can only eagerly wait for his performance in the Ring des Nibelungen planned for 2008.

A great Heldentenor in thrilling form.......2006-06-06

Ben Heppner, our greatest and only true Heldentenor, has been waiting his whole career to make this recording. It comprises two Wagner roles he has sung in concerrt but, so far as I know, not on stage--Siegmund and Siegfried. Ever since he won the prestigious Lauritz Melchior Prize as a promising young singer, Heppner has nurtured his incredible voice through the stages of lighter roles (Walther, Lohengrin) to the much heavier Tristan, and now he seems ready to give us Siegfried, the pinnacle of the Ring cycle.

The centerpiece of this recital is Siegfried's Forging Scene, which Heppner tosses off with jaw-dropping ease. We haven't heard such mastery since the end of WW II, and here Heppner makes us realize that other tenors, even ones as great as Windgassen and Domingo, had to struggle compared to what he does so naturally. His Siegfried is powerful, secure, gorgeous of tone, and totally in control. Amazing. The other selections from Act 2 and 3 are just as thrilling--the young Siegfried is a perfect fit for Heppner now, on records at least.

DG was rather stingy not to hire a Sieglinde so we could have the whole ending to Act 1 of Die Walkure. Instead we get three snippets that end abruptly once the soprano is supposed to enter. No matter. Even though other semi-Heldentenors have given us good Siegmunds, Heppner is unique in his combinaiton of lyrical beauty and power: his cries of "Nothung, Nothung, neidliches Schwert" sound completely effortless. Peter Schneider's conducting is good, if on the servicable side, but thre Walkure selections feel underpowered. The Dresden Staatskapele is a luxury in the pit and plays beauatifully.

Siegried has little solo music in Gotterdammerung before he dies, and since this is a solo recital, DG fills in with two orchestral selections, the Rhine Journey and Funeral March. Since Heppner is vulnerable and moving in the death scene, I wish we could have heard more from this opera.

Any devoted Wagnerite hearing this CD will light candles and pray that DG records a complete Ring with Heppner and his regular Brunnhilde, Jane Eaglen. Both singers are aging, and their best Tristans may already be behind them without a CD set to show for it, only a DVD. It would be such a shame not to hear the complete Siegfried roles sung by the only singer who has truly owned the Heldentenor range in many decades.

Average customer rating:

GOOD BARITONES BECOME HELDENTENORS
Svanholm -- the good old guy

Set Svanholm Sings Wagner

Manufacturer: Myto Records Italy
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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: B00004R7M9
Release Date: 2000-03-01

Customer Reviews:

GOOD BARITONES BECOME HELDENTENORS.......2006-04-18

IN THE EARLY FIFTIES BOTH RUDOLF BING AND DEZSO ERNSTER WERE KIND ENOUGH TO INVITE ME TO SEVERAL WAGNERIAN NIGHTS AT THE MET WITH SET SVANHOLM SINGING, AND I WAS DELIGHTED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE THAT NASAL BRASSY SOUND IN HIS VOICE PECULIAR TO GERMAN SARGENTS BERATING THE TROOPS. TO MY SURPRISE THEY TOLD ME THAT HIS RICHER AND ROUNDER VOICE WAS DUE TO THE FACT THAT HE STARTED OUT AS A BARITONE !
IN FACT, HE WAS THE BARITONE IN A SWEDISH QUARTET THAT HAD JUSSI BJOERLING AS THE TENOR...
THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT MELCHIOR HAD HIS DEBUT AS A BARITONE, IN A SCANDINAVIAN TRAVIATA.
WELL, EVER SINCE WE HAVE THE WONDERFUL AND LASTING VOICE OF PLACIDO DOMINGO WHO ALSO STARTED OUT AS A BARITONE, BECAME THE TOP ITALIAN/FRENCH DRAMATIC TENOR OF THE PAST HALF-CENTURY, TO END UP AS A GOOD WAGNERIAN TENOR.
OF THE THREE, MELCHIOR, SVANHOLM AND DOMINGO, YOU MAY FIND THE VOICE OF SVANHOLM THE MOST PLEASING IF YOU ARE NOT PARTICULARLY A WAGNERIAN OPERA FAN.
CARLOS J.WOODWARD (bRAZILIAN MUSIC CRITIC)

Svanholm -- the good old guy.......2002-05-23

Man, is it ever good to have this old stuff gathered together in a clean format.

Svanholm's art precluded that awful "woofy" bark that so many of his contemporaries inflicted on Wagner (and allowed the Italians to rightfully hiss productions off at the San Carlo and Massimo).

Instead of that Wagnerian "bleat", another scourge, Svanholm will resort to sotto voce when he's a little tired. He was the good old guy, the artist that even when he had to cheat a little, was sure he did it in a way that was consistent with his character. And in this, Svanholm would keep his ego in check. Like Melchior, and Frieda Lieder on a good day, he knew that singers are NOT the Wagnerian stars--the orchestra and maestro are the headliners.

The Rochester portions of this have notably superior sound...but not as good as they were in RCA Victrola reissue vinyl (first LM issue had vinyl acne). But if you don't want vinyl hanging around you'll be happy with this.

Tracks:

Roberto Devereux: Ed Ancor La Tremenda Porta...Bagnato Il Sen Di Lagrime - Placido Domingo
La Traviata: Libiamo Ne' Lieti Calici - Placido Domingo/Maralin Niska
La Traviata: Un Di Felice, Eterea - Placido Domingo/Maralin Niska
La Traviata: Lunge Da Lei...De' Miei Bollenti Spiriti - Placido Domingo
La Traviata: Parigi O Cara...Ah, Non Piu (Finale) - Placido Domingo/Maralin Niska/Seymour Schwartzman
Lohengrin: Das Susse Lied...Wie Hehr Erkenn'ich - Placido Domingo/Arlene Saunders
Lohengrin: In Fernem Land - Placido Domingo/Arlene Saunders
La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina - Placido Domingo
Pagliacci: Recitar!...Vesti La Giubba - Placido Domingo

Tracks:

Manon: Je Suis Seul - Placido Domingo
Manon: Ah, Des Grieux!...O Manon - Placido Domingo/Beverly Sills
Manon: Le Ciel Lui-meme - Placido Domingo/Beverly Sills
Manon: N'est Ce Plus Ma Main - Placido Domingo/Beverly Sills
Carmen: Quels Regards! - Placido Domingo/Cincinnati Summer Opr Chor
Carmen: Parle Moi De Ma Mere - Placido Domingo/Sylvia Cooper/Cincinnati Summer Opr Chor
Carmen: Dragons D'Alcala - Placido Domingo/Mignon Dunn/Cincinnati Summer Opr Chor
Carmen: La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee - Placido Domingo/Cincinnati Summer Opr Chor
Carmen: Non, Tu Ne M'aimes Pas - Placido Domingo/Mignon Dunn/Cincinnati Summer Opr Chor
Carmen: C'est Toi?...C'est Moi! - Placido Domingo/Mignon Dunn/Cincinnati Summer Opr Chor
Carmen: Tu Ne M'aimes Donc Plus? - Placido Domingo/Mignon Dunn/Cincinnati Summer Opr Chor
Tosca: Recondita Armonia - Placido Domingo
Tosca: Mario, Mario - Placido Domingo/Jeannine Crader
Tosca: E Lucevan Le Stelle - Placido Domingo
Tosca: O Dolci Mani - Placido Domingo/Jeannine Crader

Customer Reviews:

Pre-Met Debut Domingo: His NYC Opera Years 1966--1969.......2005-11-17

This recording is a fine memento of tenor Placido Domingo's first operatic performances in the US, as he was the principal tenor for the New York City Opera from '66 to '69 back when Julius Rudel was principal conductor and Beverly Sills its reigning soprano. Yes, these are live taped performances and as such the typical noises of applause and coughing pop up but any fan of Domingo, or Sills for that matter will eat it up. Roberto Devereux by Donizetti was the opera that earned Beverly Sills the cover of Time magazine in 1971. She performed the role of Queen Elisabeth and Placido Domingo sang Devereaux. Their on-stage chemistry was magnetic and their singing was unsurpassed. Here Domingo sings the Prison Scene. Domingo had sung Alfredo in previous Mexico City productions of Traviata but his first American Alfredo was with NY City Opera and here he sings with robust but elegant lyricism. He was singing Wagner this early in his career. Lohengrin was his firt Wagnerian opera and as the titular knight he sings gorgeously. Here we are treated to his "Das Sube Lied" with City Opera soprano Arlene Sanders singing a radiant Elsa. The most moving, absolutely the most inspiring "In Fernem Land" with its religious spark is pure gold in the hands of Domingo. Of course, Domingo excelled in all the juicy Italian tenor roles- Rodolfo in Boheme. His Che Gelida Manin is touching and poignant. His rendition of "Vesti La Giubba" from Pagliacci is a vocal homage to his idol Enrico Caruso and Domingo sings with stunning dramatic force. My favorite tracks are the excerpts from Massenet's Manon. Beverly Sills scored immense success singing Manon and here we see why. On a live recording, she pulls out all the stops and we see how she had the audience moved by her graceful but impassioned singing. Domingo was a supreme Des Grieux, and it is too bad he didn't sing the French-sung Des Grieux of Massenet's opera as much as he did the Italian-sung Des Grieux of Puccini's opera. The rest of the album covers scenes from Bizet's Carmen, with mezzo soprano diva Mignon Dunn as Carmen. Mignon Dunn was probably the sexiest looking Carmen but vocally there are things missing. She has the suitable voice but lacks subtleties and shades to the voice. However, it is still a fine Carmen, especially because Domingo is a superb Don Jose, a role he sang numerous times and was nearly a signature role for him. Domingo's Cavaradossi from Tosca is another signature role and here he sings E Lucevan La Stelle and the Act 1 Duet with aplomb. Enough said, folks.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Pilgrimage [Import]

Stravinsky: Le sacre du printemps; Jeu de cartes

The Carnival Day: The Essential Recordings of New Orleans

Number Ones [Original recording remastered]

The EP Collection [Import]

Street of Dreams (+ Bonus Tracks) [Import]

Soothing Sounds for Sleep

Presto! World's Fastest Classics

The Complete Vanguard Recordings

Stump Jumper

Stoned & Dethroned [Import]

The Swingers Unlimited [Import]

Soft Landing on the Moon [Import]

Real

Lauren Wood