Search - Herbert von Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker, Helga Dernesch :: Beethoven: Fidelio (Highlights)

Grab it!

Andre Gauthier | 05/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Fidelio is among my favorite works in all music. You may then wonder why I would want highlghts of such a great cast. Seven dollars is the first great incentive, and the second is I already have about 15 other incredible performances going back to Salzburg in the 30s.



On this CD you miss all the dialogue, but get almost everything that is of deep consequence from the opera. Karajan and Berlin are stupendous as is this cast. Vicker's is slightly less good here than on the Klemperer live version on Testament. But even at his worst he is better than 99% of tenors who try and sing Florestan. My god, the cacaphone I've heard over the years representing the poor prisoner!! In the event, Jon Vickers is the only one that can outdo Jon Vickers.



Sadly there is no Leonora #3, but then time would not permit. When I just want to hear the music in Fidelio - minus the gab - I'll reach for this CD."

A magnificent performance and collection

Larry VanDeSande | Mason, Michigan United States | 12/18/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Last seen on an Opera for Pleaure CD about 2000, this is easily a five star selection of music from Beethoven's only opera, which is neither convincing nor satisfying in performance because of all the spoken text the interrupts the musical messaging. This collection of highlights captures every moment of drama and includes John Vickers' wonderful portrayal of Florestan. Karajan and his Berlin orchestra are at their heroic best in this collection, which for me is the best way to hear this opera. Even people put off by Karajan's lugubriousness and smoothing over every texture shoud enjoy this hour of highlights."