Search - Michael Kupfer, Franz von Suppe, Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonic :: Franz von Suppé: Die Schöne Galathée

The rest as delightful as the familiar overture

F. Behrens | Keene, NH USA | 05/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Fearful that the mythological spoofs of Offenbach would take over the Viennese stage, Von Suppe knew that the German/Frenchman would have to be met on his own ground. So with Poly Henrion, Von Suppe fashioned a libretto spoofing the Pygmalion story. Just as in Offenbach's "Orphee aux Enfers" in which Orpheus is delighted to find his wife has been carried off to Hell, the new work would have a Galatea brought to life and not particularly liking the sculptor who created her. As for the music, you can judge for yourself now that CPO label has given us (999 726-2) with a game cast of four, chorus and Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonia, all under Thomas Eitler. Running just over 48 minutes, we have a delightful little piece of fluff that seems to resemble more Lehar than Offenbach. In fact, the opening chorus seems almost a pre-echo of that to Gilbert & Sullivan's "Utopia Ltd." While the "Vaudeville" cannot quite come up with a really memorable tune, the Drinking Song is a joy to hear, as are the bustling ensembles that make up this short score. While the cast does not include singers familiar to audeince here in this country, they are just fine in these cartoonish roles: Andrea Bogner (Galathee), Hans-Jurg Rickenbacher (Pygmalion), Juliane Heyn (Ganymed), and Michael Kupfer (Mydas). Although the libretto gives us both lyrics and dialogue (in German and English), the recording itself is content with only the music. Given the short running time, the dialogue could easily have been included; but on other recordings that do include it, I find it annoying on repeated playings. The jewel case is a double one but holds only one CD and the booklet."