Beethoven: Fidelio, Op. 72
Christa Ludwig (Leonore), Jon Vickers (Florestan), Gundula Janowitz (Marzelline), Walter Berry (Pizarro), Walter Kreppel (Rocco), Waldemar Kmentt (Jaquino), Eberhard Wächter (Don Fernando)
Wiener Staatsopernchor & Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Herbert von Karajan
This live recording is fascinating, but falls below Karajan’s famed perfectionism, and both Ludwig and Vickers sound less comfortable than with Klemperer. Gundula Janowitz’s Marzelline is a...
Beethoven: Fidelio, Op. 72
Christa Ludwig (Leonore), Jon Vickers (Florestan), Gundula Janowitz (Marzelline), Walter Berry (Pizarro), Walter Kreppel (Rocco), Waldemar Kmentt (Jaquino), Eberhard Wächter (Don Fernando)
Wiener Staatsopernchor & Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Herbert von Karajan
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This live recording is fascinating, but falls below Karajan’s famed perfectionism, and both Ludwig and Vickers sound less comfortable than with Klemperer. Gundula Janowitz’s Marzelline is a...
About
Recorded live from the Wiener Staatsoper on 25th May, 1962
Never before released (we do not acknowledge pirate productions!), recorded at a single evening's performance (25 May 1962), this Fidelio, under the baton of Herbert von Karajan (who was also responsible for the acclaimed stage production), is remarkable for its spontaneity and sense of theatrical presence.Contents and tracklist
- Othmar Eichinger (sound design), Waldemar Kmentt (tenor), Gundula Janowitz (soprano), Walter Kreppel (bass), Christa Ludwig (soprano), Walter Berry (baritone), Richard Rossmayer, Jon Vickers (tenor), Eberhard Wächter (baritone)
- Wiener Staatsoper
- Herbert von Karajan
- Recorded: 1962-05-25
- Recording Venue: Vienna, State Opera
"Wie kalt ist es in diesem unterirdischen Gewölbe" - "Nur hurtig fort, nur frisch gegraben"
Track length5:34
"Er sterbe! Doch er soll erst wissen" - "Vater Rocco! Der Herr Minister ist angekommen" - "Es schlägt der Rache Stunde"
Track length4:40
Awards and reviews
13th April 2008
This live recording is fascinating, but falls below Karajan’s famed perfectionism, and both Ludwig and Vickers sound less comfortable than with Klemperer. Gundula Janowitz’s Marzelline is a gem, while Ludwig and Vickers even below par are worth hearing for their dramatic conviction.
Hermes Opera Lexicon
An intense, exciting night at the opera, tightly controlled and successfully brought off by Karajan … It’s fascinating to share the experience of such live recordings.
