Search - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Karl Böhm, Wiener Staatsopernorchester :: Mozart: Così Fan Tutte

A great "Cosi" overcomes sonic blemishes

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 05/25/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Karl Bohm more or less owned "Cosi," which he recorded three times, the most notable being his classic 1963 account on EMI with Schwarzkopf reprising hr famous portrayal of Fiordiligi. Why, then, would you want a live 1972 pirate recording? The main reason is one of temperament. In the EMI recording, everything is refined and elegant to a fault. We have come to realize that "Cosi" is highly compromised morally. Da Ponte's cyncial misogynist libretto puts none of the characters in a flattering light. In this performance, they all seem to know that their behavior is reckless, seamy, and tainted. As a result, we get some sharp, even bitter characterizations, especially form tenor Peter Schreier, who all but shouts out his rage at being cuckolded. As Don Alfonso, Fischer-Dieskau is an overpowering figure, not at all the suave, chuckling mischief-maker.



The combination of malice and farce is heightened, which could be a problem for some listeners who want more of Mozart's humanity to shine through. But I found the acidity exhilarating -- da Ponte's scheme is truly nasty, so why not play it that way? Needless to say with such a glorious cast, the singing is glorious, even though the orchestra has its share of flubbs. Janowitz'a Fiordiligi is a miracle of range, beauty, and accuracy. Has anyone ever done better? The recorded sound is clear stereo, but you have to put up with a touch of distortion in loud passages and a light veil of fuzziness throughout.



DG made an official recording using the same cast two years later in 1974, with the substitution of Rolando Panerai for Fischer-Dieskau. It, too, is a live performance with stage noises and applause, as here, and critics have found it equally fierce in conception. Either choice carries you into a darker world redeemed by very beautiful singing."

Poor Recording Quality/Excellent Singing

J. M. Barclay | 04/21/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a case where the performers do an excellent job in singing, however the recording is live, it has not been Digitally Remastered and the overall sound does not give you the true quality of the voices nor the orchestration. I would suggest this recording to those who are looking to solely here these artists in the recording and nothing more. If you're looking for an excellent recording I would suggest the one by Deutsche Gramaphone with Hampson, Te Kanawa, Murray, Furlanetto, and Levine conducting."