Lortzing Der Wildschütz
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: (Gustav) Albert Lortzing
Genre:
Opera
Label: Classics
Magazine Review Date: 12/1995
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 152
Mastering:
ADD
Catalogue Number: 0011 432BC
Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
(Der) Wildschütz |
(Gustav) Albert Lortzing, Composer
(Gustav) Albert Lortzing, Composer Berlin Radio Children's Choir Berlin Radio Chorus Berlin Staatskapelle Bernd Riedel, Guest, Bass Bernhard Klee, Conductor Doris Soffel, Countess Eberbach, Soprano Edith Mathis, Baroness Kronthal, Soprano Georgine Resick, Gretchen, Soprano Gertrud von Ottenthal, Nanette, Mezzo soprano Gottfried Hornik, Count Eberbach, Baritone Hans Sotin, Baculus, Bass Peter Schreier, Baron Kronthal, Tenor Reiner Süss, Pancratius, Bass |
Author: John Warrack
It is good to have this cheerful little opera, for many years Lortzing's most popular, back in the British catalogue, especially in so well sung a performance. Casting has never been much of a problem with Lortzing in Germany, since this most practical of theatre composers wrote not so much for subtleties of character as for the voice types that were the staple of the average opera company of the day. This is not to say that plenty cannot be made of them. Hans Sotin does splendidly by the hearty Baculus, delivering ''Funftausend Taler'' with great gusto, but also making the pompous old schoolmaster a figure of considerable warmth and one with a touch of pathos in his character. Peter Schreier and Edith Mathis also have the manner in their bones, but are artists of sufficient stature to make the Baron and Baroness human beings, and sympathetic ones, without confusing the uncomplicated directness that is part of the idiom. Doris Soffel enjoys herself in the role of the Sophocles-besotted Countess, and Georgine Resick sings a charming but not over-sweet Gretchen. There is a good sense of company enjoyment in the set, which is part of Lortzing's whole style, and this is encouraged by Bernhard Klee with his lively and sympathetic direction.
It is a pity that, not for the first time, transfer from LP to CD has meant worse supporting material. In this case, a crucial loss is the removal of translations of the libretto. The German original is complete, but the English (by JBS) and French versions have been removed. A synopsis is no substitute. How does the economy-minded company suppose that those without German are going to enjoy this amusingly written comedy?
'
It is a pity that, not for the first time, transfer from LP to CD has meant worse supporting material. In this case, a crucial loss is the removal of translations of the libretto. The German original is complete, but the English (by JBS) and French versions have been removed. A synopsis is no substitute. How does the economy-minded company suppose that those without German are going to enjoy this amusingly written comedy?
'
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