Search - Emmerich Kalman, Robert Stolz, Franz Lehar :: Hilde Gueden Sings Operetta Evergreens

Golden Age Recording Worth Its Weight In Gold

Timothy Kearney | Hull, MA United States | 05/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'll have to admit, when it comes to re-releases of classical music, I am usually an easy target, but when the CD that is re-released from LP to CD format has a retro cover, I'm almost always a sucker. All I need to do to prove this point is show people the RCA Red Seal releases I have in my collection. Why do these recordings have such an appeal? Many of them I listened to when growing up and many are the very recordings that introduced me to classical music and started me on a lifelong appreciation of wonderful sounds performed by the world's foremost performers. When it has an original cover, I am transported back in time, albeit without scratches thanks to digital re-mastering. That being said, when I saw a vintage re-release of a Prima Donna with a French poodle (it dates back to 1961, would she be pictured any other way?), my curiosity was piqued. I was naturally drawn to Decca's re-release of a Hilde Gueden recording of operetta favorites. After listening, I realized I struck gold with this collection.When performing, Hilde Gueden's repertoire tended toward Mozart roles and some Germans works, although she had success in a wide variety of roles including Gilda and Musetta. Her voice is light yet disciplined which makes her a natural for operetta arias. It is evident from listening that Ms. Gueden not only is a capable performer, but enjoys the music she is performing. This recording contains many of the standard favorites such as "Hore ich Zigeurnergeigen" from GRAFIN MARIZA, Straus' Wiener Blut, and the Nuns' Chorus from Casanova to name a few. She performs as a soloist in many of the tracks though in some she is accompanied by the wonderful Vienna Operetta Choir. Robert Stolz does a wonderful job conducting the Vienna Staatsoper Orchestra. As I mentioned earlier, the recording is packaged nostalgically which Decca hopes will give it a retro appeal. The only drawback is that the liner notes are in very small, almost unreadable font. Perhaps with a magnifying glass, the text can be read, but at a legendary recording at a discount price is a bargain any day, even with a few slight packaging flaws."