Search - Richard [1] Strauss, Georg Solti, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra :: Richard Strauss: Arabella

The best studio version of Arabella available

Benjamin | Chicago, IL USA | 08/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is my first time being the first writing a review, so here it is! I give this CD a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. This is, in my opinion, the best studio version available of Strauss' Arabella. The only recording that surpasses the [historical] value of this recording is the one recorded by Karl Bohm in 1947 live with the Vienna Philarmonic Orchestra (DG). Other studio recording considerations could be the Kempe 1955 (Vocce della Luna), and the Keilberth 1964 (DG). But this is Solti, and Solti is one of my favorite directors ever and he is superior than Kempe or Keilberth here. Another added value to this recording is that DECCA has remastered the originals and publish them in this collection of DECCA Legends, so the sound is crystal clear and very remarkable, considering this was recorded in 1957. Technically, this recording is flawless, and everything is very well put together, the singers, and the musicians, with Solti doing and amazing job once again directing a Strauss opera. The Vienna Philarmonic Orchestra is beautifully powerful -as usual-, and all the singers set the bar very high, Lisa della Casa among all of them. She is the Arabella of reference, and the soprano was going through her best period as a singer in 1957 when she recorded this album. I recommend this CD to any opera aficionado, particularly those who love German opera, and Strauss in particular.



Bottomline: this is the best Arabella recording available in studio. 4.5 stars.



P.S. If you find my review helpful, vote YES (It does not mean you agree. It just means you found it helpful). You can read all my other reviews if you wish to. I modestly write them to help people form an opinion about movies, music and books, but if nobody reads them (if you don't vote I do not know if you did) there is no point in writing them."

Solti's Arabella

A. Chase | Boston, MA USA | 07/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are a Strauss fan, a Lisa della Casa fan or a Solti fan; then this is the recording of ARABELLA you must have. It is the premiere studio version from the mid-50's and in stereo. It fits on just 2 discs which is good as most recordings of this opera are on 3 discs. The sound is very clear with good balance between the singers and the orchestra. Solti's tempos are a bit driven and tense, perhaps not sympathetic to the singers as he is a bit rigid. Lisa della Casa is a radiant ARABELLA both lovely to look at and delightful to hear. She possesses a very cool sound which may take some getting used to, but she is considered the perfect ARABELLA. George London is virile and strong with a burnished, dark baritone perfect for Mandryka, Arabella's love interest. The rest of the cast is excellent and if you are a fan of this opera, then this version is a must."