Search - Richard [1] Strauss, Robert Heger, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra :: Der Rosenkavalier (Abridged)

Legendary recording from 1933

pm444 | Okemos, MI USA | 03/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 2 disc set consists of an abridged version of "Der Rosenkavalier" with Lotte Lehmann as the Marschallin. The recording has been issued by EMI but is not currently available from them. The Opera d'Oro remastering provides reasonably good sound, especially considering the fact that the recording was made in 1933. While surface noise and other sounds associated with recording onto 78 rpm discs are definitely present, they are not excessively intrusive. Even better, the voices are clearer than one might expect from a recording that's almost 70 years old. As for the performance, it's one of those that truly deserves the label of "legendary". Lehmann's Marschallin is beautifully sung, warmer and less affected than Schwarzkopf, but with Schwarzkopf's attention to the text. Richard Mayr as Ochs is also outstanding. The price for such a historic recording can't be beat, but as usual with Opera d'Oro, the notes include no information about the singers or the source material for the current remastering. Instead we get a brief commentary and summary of the plot. There are only 3 tracks on the first disc and 2 on the second, but anyone who loves this opera will gladly accept these minor inconveniences in order to hear this wonderfully idiomatic performance. While it should not be one's first or only "Rosenkavalier", it's nevertheless essential and highly enjoyable listening."