Chorus and Orchestra of the Vienna Staatsoper conducted by Herbert von Karajan
Live recording by Austrian Radio (ORF) from the Vienna State Opera on June 11,
1964
(DGG Import available through Musical Heritage Society 457678A; 3 CDs)
Emperor
Jess Thomas
Empress
Leonie Rysanek
Barak
Walter Berry
Barak's Wife
Christa Ludwig
Nurse
Grace Hoffman
Messenger
Walter Kreppel
Guardian of Temple/Falcon's voice
Lucia Popp
Apparition of the Young Man
Fritz Wunderlich
One glance at the cast and you know this is going to be a magnificent
performance. Everybody is in great voice singing with great sensitivity and
beautiful musicianship. Of course Rysanek is fantastic in one of her great
signature roles but Ludwig steals the show. She is simply extraordinary,
singing like a goddess. Jess Thomas is a strong Emperor, just a tad rough at
the top. Berry is excellent, and Hoffman just marvelous as the Nurse. Popp
and Wunderlich are in fresh voice for their small roles. Karajan is simply
unbelievable, eliciting the most fantastic effects from the orchestra that you
don't hear on the other versions either stereo or mono. The third act left me
in a trance. There are some big cuts and some rearrangement of scenes, but no
doubt these rather drastic measures were necessary to save the singers' voices
and make it easier for production. In any case, I certainly wouldn't let it
deter you from experiencing an unforgettable performance. Karajan never again
conducted FROSCH which makes this CD all the more valuable. The digitally
remastered mono sound is excellent. The libretto is in German only with an
article about Karajan in English, and some pictures of the production.
