Wagner - The Flying Dutchman , recordings

[AmpH]

Having confined my opera listening to date to mostly Mozart and Puccini, I have decided to dip my toes into the world of Wagner beginning with the Flying Dutchman , as suggested by others on another recent thread. But, which recording to begin with when research suggests a relative paucity of good recommendable recordings compared to other Wagner Operas.

A decent studio recording would be preferred or a live one without intrusive stage noise. I am minded to begin with either Klemperer ( EMI ) or perhaps Dorati ( Decca ) but would appreciate the thoughts of more experienced Wagner listeners on this and on recordings of this opera generally.

[Richard Tarleton]

AmpH, you could do much worse than go for the Naxos recording conducted by Pinchas Steinberg. It's a fine performance, on 2 CDs. No libretto, but the synopsis is easy enough to follow. This recording holds its own against much more expensive ones. Save your money for the journey ahead. Good luck!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I was disappointed with Solti's Dutchman with the Chicago SO. This was his only Decca Wagner project not to use the Vienna Philharmonic. Decca evidently thought likewise, for they recorded the opera with the VPO and Dohnanyi not long afterwards. This is a truly fine performance.

[Pianorak]

George London makes a splendid Dutchman with Leonie Rysanek as Senta, and Antal Dorati conducting the ROH orchestra. I'm not at all keen on the Naxos Dutchman; obviously my loss. Cf. Bargains #1017.

[Parry1912]

AmpH, you could do much worse than go for the Naxos recording conducted by Pinchas Steinberg. It's a fine performance, on 2 CDs. No libretto, but the synopsis is easy enough to follow. This recording holds its own against much more expensive ones. Save your money for the journey ahead. Good luck!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

AmpH, you could do much worse than go for the Naxos recording conducted by Pinchas Steinberg. It's a fine performance, on 2 CDs. No libretto, but the synopsis is easy enough to follow.

I would question this. If you do not know the opera, I think it's better to have the libretto and a translation to follow.

[mathias broucek]

I would question this. If you do not know the opera, I think it's better to have the libretto and a translation to follow.

Alternatively, download Die Walkure with Leinsdorf (+ Nilsson, Vickers, London) from Classical Music Mobile (legal, stereo) for just €1.00. Wagner's out of copyright so you can find libretti and translations to follow online.

[LHC]

As long as you don't buy this one:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/614uw2xCUhL._SS500_.jpg

(shudders)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

As long as you don't buy this one:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...hL._SS500_.jpg

... or, on second thoughts, !

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Incidentally, the NAXOS set is very good, digital recording, a studio (not "Live": no "stage noise") recording and, I think, the cheapest available.

You might also be interested in this DVD:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Der-Fliegende-Holl%C3%A4nder-Flying-Dutchman/dp/B0007Q6PBU/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1335542757&sr=1-3

[umslopogaas]

I like the version conducted by Konwitschny, with Staatskapelle Berlin. Daland, Gottlob Frick; Senta, Marianne Schech; Erich, Rudolf Schock; Mary, Sieglinde Wagner; Steersman, Fritz Wunderlich; Dutchman, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. First published on HMV stereo LPs in 1962, I also have a CD issue on Berlin Classics, from 1994. Neither the Rough Guide to Opera nor the 2010 Penguin Guide mention it, so either they dont like it, or it is currently unavailable. The 1982 Penguin Guide liked it, though they did comment that Marianne Schech emits sounds more reminiscent of the Flying Scotsman than the Flying Dutchman. Overall, its a very impressive cast.

[Richard Tarleton]

Neither the Rough Guide to Opera

Off-thread - the Rough Guide. if I recall, does not mention the Giulini Don Carlo . It happened to be the first thing I looked up in the index when I picked the book up in the bookshop, several years ago now, to gauge its reliability. I swiftly put it back on the shelf. Apologies if this has subsequently changed.

[Beef Oven]

I have Karajan's 1980s recording with BPO, Van Dam et al.

By the by, I am at the ENO tomorrow night for a performance of said opera. Anyone else going?

[Pianorak]

. . . You might also be interested in this DVD:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Der-Fliegend...5542757&sr=1-3

Now you are talking!

[ostuni]

By the by, I am at the ENO tomorrow night for a performance of said opera. Anyone else going?

Yes, but not for a couple of weeks: 12th May. Do let us know what you think of it!