BaL 7.06.14 - Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier

[Nick Armstrong]

I've just read this out of context and found myself astonished at the prospect of Ed Seckerson's singing as Marie Therese

Now there's a mental image I'm going to struggle to erase...!

[Prommer]

Just heard this BAL in advance of tonight's Prom. The Kleiber Munich DVD is indeed great. Even better is the live CD from 1973 which Richard Osborne described as 'one heck of an evening'. It is issued on Orfeo. The production and cast are fresher in the role, and there are two distinguishing features, both most apparent in Act II: the amazing phrasing and superior control of Lucia Popp, especially in the Presentation of the Rose, compared with 1979; and the Ochs of Karl Ridderbusch, which is vocally hilarious and nice to hear a higher voice in the part (who can still manage the low notes without vanishing). Kleiber's way with the score in the long section leading into and then through the Ochs waltz to the final chords is just fantastic.

[visualnickmos]

I've just read this out of context and found myself astonished at the prospect of Ed Seckerson's singing as Marie Therese

..... at first I read it as MOTHER Theresa!!!!! Now would put bums on seats!

[Conchis]

I've no time for Betty Blackhead, either. She ruins the earlier Karajan set, IMO.

I've recently acquired the remastered Bernstein set, which sounds splendid. I'm not as bothered by Dame Gwyneth here as some people are but my favourite will always be the Solti, as Crespin and Minton work so well together and RC in particular nails her character.

I also have the Kleiver DVD with Dame Flott, who is overwhelmingly charismatic. I've met her, too, and it's not just about stage presence.

[visualnickmos]

.....my favourite will always be the Solti, as Crespin and Minton work so well together and RC in particular nails her character.

Agree - it's a fabulous recording.

[Barbirollians]

Agree - it's a fabulous recording.

Me too - magnificent.

[Barbirollians]

I've no time for Betty Blackhead, either. She ruins the earlier Karajan set, IMO.

I've recently acquired the remastered Bernstein set, which sounds splendid. I'm not as bothered by Dame Gwyneth here as some people are but my favourite will always be the Solti, as Crespin and Minton work so well together and RC in particular nails her character.

I also have the Kleiver DVD with Dame Flott, who is overwhelmingly charismatic. I've met her, too, and it's not just about stage presence.

Another purchase after Christa Ludwig died - she is a marvellous Marschallin and I can cope with wobble from Jones. Domingo is great as the Italian Tenor and Popp lovely as Sophie. The cuts here are those sanctioned by Strauss apparently.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

... and I can cope with wobble from Jones.

She's the one reason I avoid the Bernstein set. I've just acquired the Erich Kleiber version in the new box., but I've yet to listen to it.

[cloughie]

She's the one reason I avoid the Bernstein set. I've just acquired the Erich Kleiber version in the new box., but I've yet to listen to it.

The Kleiber’s do Ros justice - Carlos’ DVD with Flott, Bonney and von Otter is sublime!
Like you I have an Erich awaitng a listen!

[RichardB]

In the early 90s I was in Melbourne when Rosenkavalier was on at the opera house. One of the musicians I was working with was also a member of the opera orchestra, and called me to say I would have a free ticket for that evening. Unfortunately the call was intercepted by the ensemble director, who told her I was busy finishing my score and didn't have time to go to the opera. I can laugh at that now but at the time, when I found out I was heartbroken. I was very involved with Strauss's music at that time. These days I don't pay it so much attention, although Rosenkavalier has the potential for a post-MeToo reinterpretation, which would be an interesting thing to try and do - thirty years ago I was wondering whether there wasn't something mean-spirited about the way revenge is taken on Baron Ochs, but looking at it now my impression is more that he got off lightly!

I haven't seen/heard the Kleiber video but I really must do so; I got to know the work through the Karajan recording, and I think Schwarzkopf was in many ways the perfect fit for her part (as are the rest of the cast really), however distasteful a character she was in real life, and actually the two aren't unrelated.

[Barbirollians]

I struggle not to be bored by opera on video - a few exceptions aside . So in rereading this thread have ordered a copy of the live Carlos Kleiber on Oreo less than £20 for a new copy on Amazon.

Having just acquitted Jones she is disappointing in the presentation of the rose.

Bernstein, Ludwig, Berry and Popp are great though.

[cloughie]

I struggle not to be bored by opera on video - a few exceptions aside . So in rereading this thread have ordered a copy of the live Carlos Kleiber on Oreo less than £20 for a new copy on Amazon.

Having just acquitted Jones she is disappointing in the presentation of the rose.

I don’t often go for dvds as my main hifi system is not TV linked but the combination of soloists was such I had to have it - and for whatever bizarre reason DGG decided not to release in on CD!

[Lordgeous]

Have also purchased the Kleiber but not sampled yet.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Inspired by this thread, I ordered the CDs of the Solti. So far, it has exceeded all expectations.

Solti and the Vienna Philharmonic are a wonderful combination. And they didn’t even like him at first.

[Barbirollians]

Inspired by this thread, I ordered the CDs of the Solti. So far, it has exceeded all expectations.

Solti and the Vienna Philharmonic are a wonderful combination. And they didn’t even like him at first.

It’s the best - Crespin is superb.