Search - Richard Strauss, Bernard Haitink, Dresden Staatskapelle :: Der Rosenkavalier (Highlights)

All of the Prime Moments in a Resplendent Recording

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 05/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not being one for 'Highlights' recordings of operas, this single CD of a 1991 recording of DER ROSENKAVALIER allows the listener to bask in the beauties of the primary scenes that make this four hour opera so wondrous - without having to wade through some of the less inspired writing that better suits a live performance than a CD reproduction (we are spared the endless mélange of the Faninal household confusion and the tiresome opening parts of Act Three that can wear thin...). Having said that, this recording of the jewels of the opera is as fine as they come.



Every Strauss devotee has a favorite Marschallin and Octavian and Sophie and Ochs: Schwarzkopf/Crespin/Lott/Te Kanawa, Ludwig/Von Otter/Seefried/Graham, Stich-Randall/Rothenberg/Hendricks etc. This disc offers Kiri Te Kanawa in lovely vocal estate as a beautiful Marschallin, Anne Sofie von Otter as Octavian, and Barbara Hendricks as Sophie PLUS the Baron Ochs gold standard of Kurt Rydl. Bernard Haitink feels the Viennese rapture of the music and the Staatskapelle Dresden responds to his every thought. The result is ravishingly beautiful singing and an echt Viennese concept.



It is always reassuring to note that despite the public devotion to the Florid Favorites in these operatic roles, there are new singers rising to the high echelon of performers of this masterwork. The current Los Angeles Opera production offers the Marschallin of Adrianne Pieczonka, Alice Coote as Octavian, Elizabeth Futral as Sophie with the terrific Kurt Rydl holding the comedy together. Rest assured that the final trio of act three as sung by these three relatively new ladies already scales the heights of aural glory. Hopefully there will be a recording featuring them soon. Until then, for the sheer luxury of Strauss' music, this Highlights disc is near perfect. Grady Harp, May 05"

If you can't buy the full version of Rosenkavalier, buy this

Annio | Spain | 08/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you can't buy a full "Rosenkavalier" and you want to buy some higliths buy this: it's a good selection of a great opera in a great version!! Just listen Te Kanawa, Von Otter or Hendricks... Straordinary!!!!!!!
If you can buy this version COMPLETE."