- Conductor: Edo de Waart
- Composer: R. Strauss
- Audio CD (26 Mar 2012)
- Number of Discs: 3
- Format: Box set
- Label: Brilliant Classics
- ASIN: B006YXGU74
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 187,860 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
CD Description
A superb cast (Evelyn Lear, Frederica von Stade, Jose Carreras) and a Rotterdam Philharmonic in great form, under the inspiring baton of Edo de Waart, a specialist in Late Romantic repertoire, mark this Rosenkavalier as a must-have for opera fans and music lovers in general. Part of the Brilliant Classics Opera Collection. Opera libretto available on www.brilliantoperacollection.com. Richard Strauss, undoubtedly one of the most famous musical figures to have emerged from Germany, enjoyed early success both as a conductor and composer. Having developed the symphonic poem to an unsurpassed level of expressiveness, he went on to achieve great success with a string of notable operas of which Der Rosenkavalier, presented on this disc, is his best known. Set in Vienna during the early years of the Empress Maria Theresas reign, the work takes the form of a comedy in three acts, set to an original German libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal. It bears a strong resemblance in terms of plot to Mozarts Le Nozze di Figaro as well as Wagners Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, and is written in a very different vein to Strausss preceding avant-gardist creations Salome and Elektra something for which the composer, appearing to have succumbed to popular taste, was heavily criticised. But this is a petty observation: Strausss combining of overt parody with psychological insight into matters of both the head and heart not to mention the torments of growing up and the terrors of growing old makes it a highly sophisticated work that stands firmly on a par with Mozarts and Wagners. Featuring a superb cast of internationally renowned singers, this recording does full justice to the intricate and sublimely beautiful quality of Strausss writing making it clear to the listener why Der Rosenkavalier has become one.
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5 reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
A Heart Felt Rosenkavalier
6 Feb 2004
Format:Audio CD
While hardly the last word, there is much to enjoy in this "Rosenkavalier", starting with the radiant Octavian of the great Frederica von Stade.
There is also much to admire in the somewhat tragic Marschallin of Evelyn Lear. Obviously this artist has put much thought into her interpretation and if her voice is a bit past it's best days here, she uses it to her advantage and to the advantage of the role. Her characterization gently tugs at one's heart as she comes to realize she is losing what she knows will be her last great love. This is a more European take on the role than most American audiences are used to. Not a star turn, but more a gentle farewell.
I can't help but comment that, in my humble opinion, Evelyn Lear is one of the great singing actresses of her generation, and this recording, finally, does her justice.
Ruth Welting, another singer not as well known as she should be, rounds out the trio of women, and is sparkling as Sophie.
Jules Bastin actually sings the part of Baron Ochs, an increasing rarity these days.
Edo de Warte conducts well.
All in all, this is a fine performance, enhanced by the security of all the principals in roles well suited to each of them. Yes, there are probably better Rosenkavaliers out there. But you'll be hard pressed to find one performed with such obvious love of the music.
Four stars only because the sound is just slightly dated.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
COMPLETE IN ALL ITS GLORY.
12 May 2007
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I couldn't help but notice the scathing opinions posted here about this recording; I will hazard a guess that they were written by opera absolutists who shine a harsh, glaring light on every sound that issues forth from every singer in question. And while I find myself now in a similar mode, let me report that EVERY note sung by the principals in this performance is delivered with the utmost artistry and emotion; this cast really understands and projects everything in this complex and lengthy opera, presented here complete without cuts.
Top honors, though, go to Edo de Waart, who conducts this monumentally demanding score brilliantly, being totally in command of every measure. He observes every tempo marking, in addition to eliciting phenomenally detailed playing. The sound is clean, clear and rich, with a nice sense of spaciousness.
Two remarkable passages among many: 1.)the excitement near the beginning of Act 2 as Sophie and Marianne await the imminent arrival of the Rose Bearer, with the men's hearty cries of "Rofrano" growing gradually nearer---it's so glorious in its sound and pacing that I can't imagine it done better. Similarly, 2.)the orchestral scherzo-introduction to Act 3, as wickedly challenging as anything in the orchestral repertoire, is performed as flawlessly as humanly possible. Unfortunately, opera fanatics will barely take notice of such things. Here is a rare performance led by a conductor who can shape, delineate, propel and/or caress every phrase, resulting in a reading that positively radiates character in every measure.
True, Evelyn Lear is past her prime (as is the character she portrays), but she artfully disguises her limitations (using every trick in the book during the endless conversational passages in Act 1), and amply conveys the emotional world of the Marschallin. Von Stade is all one could ever ask for as Octavian, and Ruth Welting is a fine Sophie. Jules Bastin uses his somewhat colloquial sound---bawling, bellowing and often vibrato-less---in what can only be described as a supremely virtuostic realization of the role of Ochs. Yeah, a couple of the minor roles sound pretty hideous---but at least they are enthusiastcially sung.
Too bad this recording is overlooked. But I would advise anyone looking for an excellent and inexpensive (not to mention NOTE-COMPLETE) recording of this great work to look no further.
Top honors, though, go to Edo de Waart, who conducts this monumentally demanding score brilliantly, being totally in command of every measure. He observes every tempo marking, in addition to eliciting phenomenally detailed playing. The sound is clean, clear and rich, with a nice sense of spaciousness.
Two remarkable passages among many: 1.)the excitement near the beginning of Act 2 as Sophie and Marianne await the imminent arrival of the Rose Bearer, with the men's hearty cries of "Rofrano" growing gradually nearer---it's so glorious in its sound and pacing that I can't imagine it done better. Similarly, 2.)the orchestral scherzo-introduction to Act 3, as wickedly challenging as anything in the orchestral repertoire, is performed as flawlessly as humanly possible. Unfortunately, opera fanatics will barely take notice of such things. Here is a rare performance led by a conductor who can shape, delineate, propel and/or caress every phrase, resulting in a reading that positively radiates character in every measure.
True, Evelyn Lear is past her prime (as is the character she portrays), but she artfully disguises her limitations (using every trick in the book during the endless conversational passages in Act 1), and amply conveys the emotional world of the Marschallin. Von Stade is all one could ever ask for as Octavian, and Ruth Welting is a fine Sophie. Jules Bastin uses his somewhat colloquial sound---bawling, bellowing and often vibrato-less---in what can only be described as a supremely virtuostic realization of the role of Ochs. Yeah, a couple of the minor roles sound pretty hideous---but at least they are enthusiastcially sung.
Too bad this recording is overlooked. But I would advise anyone looking for an excellent and inexpensive (not to mention NOTE-COMPLETE) recording of this great work to look no further.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Rosenkavalier historic recording
10 Aug 2011
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This recording of Rosenkavalier is a historic document because of at least two singers whose names have been connected to their characters in this famous opera: Frederica von Stade (Octavian) and Evelyn lear (Marschallin.
It was also an international break through of Edo de Waart as an opera conductor on the recording market in 1976.
The Rotterdam Philharmonic, one of Europe's best Orchestras and the ensemble of the Netherlands Opera complete a very precise and exciting addition to the CD market of the many recordings of this work. As the Co-director of Netherlands Opera in those years I feel proud of this product of ideal "Stagione" in the opera.
Nando Schellen 08-10-11
It was also an international break through of Edo de Waart as an opera conductor on the recording market in 1976.
The Rotterdam Philharmonic, one of Europe's best Orchestras and the ensemble of the Netherlands Opera complete a very precise and exciting addition to the CD market of the many recordings of this work. As the Co-director of Netherlands Opera in those years I feel proud of this product of ideal "Stagione" in the opera.
Nando Schellen 08-10-11
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