|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|||||||||||
| Composers | | Conductors | | Performers | | Ensembles | | Operas | | Labels | | ArkivCDs | | DVDs | | Search | | More... | |
New ArkivMusic Reissues On Sale |  |
|
|
| Massenet: Werther / Sir Colin Davis, Carreras, Von Stade | |||||
| |||||
|
|
Release Date: 10/12/2004 Label: Philips Catalog #: 475496 Spars Code: ADD Composer: Jules Massenet Performer: Frederica Von Stade, Linda Humphries, Thomas Allen, Isobel Buchanan, Paul Crook, Donaldson Bell, José Carreras, Malcolm King, Robert Lloyd Conductor: Sir Colin Davis Orchestra/Ensemble: Royal Opera House Covent Garden Orchestra, Royal Opera House Covent Garden Childrens Chorus
Number of Discs: 2 |
|
List Price: $33.99 ArkivCD $27.99 
In Stock On sale! 
|
|
| |||||
| In Stock: This CD requires additional production time and ships within 3-5 business days. | |||||
| |||||
| |||||
| |||||
|
| This CD is reissued by ArkivMusic and includes liner notes. | |||||
| |||||
| |||||
| Notes & Reviews | Back to Top | ||||
| |||||
| This is a great performance of Massenet's maudlin melodrama. In 1980, when it was recorded, José Carreras was only a few years past his prime, and only his high notes are really affected: there's some strain, and there's an uncomfortable shifting of gears above G. But anything lower than that is just gorgeous, his honeyed tone still intact, his ardency potent. If he lacks that extra, vaguely insane sense of being transported by the universe and Charlotte, well, he has enough urgency to make up for it. In fact, there's occasionally a bit too much urgency, bordering on flailing. And he sings in beautifully enunciated French. About Frederica von Stade's Charlotte there isn't enough praise. Her mezzo is used with a dozen degrees between piano and forte, and her rapture is as real as her self-denial. Her Charlotte is fragile at times, resolute at others--but always with a note of sadness that is the cornerstone of the role. Thomas Allen is a knowing Albert, not cruel, but wise, and Isobel Buchanan does more than just chirp as Sophie. The rest of the cast is splendid. Colin Davis leads the fine Covent Garden forces and soloists with lots of give-and-take, great shading, and sensitivity. The sound is superb and realistic--for example, when Charlotte races off in Act 3, there's a real sense of departure and distance to her tone. The track listing still quaintly offers chapters within tracks, which I haven't seen in a long time. This production may not capture the opera's ethos as ideally as the oldest Werther available (with Vallin and Thill), but it's as good as or better than the rest of the fine competition. [10/28/2004] --Robert Levine, ClassicsToday.com | |||||
| |||||
| |||||
| Works on This Recording | Back to Top | ||||
| |||||
| 1. |
Werther by Jules Massenet | ||||
|
Performer:
Frederica Von Stade (Mezzo Soprano),
Linda Humphries (Soprano),
Thomas Allen (Baritone),
Isobel Buchanan (Soprano), Paul Crook (Tenor), Donaldson Bell (Bass), José Carreras (Tenor), Malcolm King (Bass), Robert Lloyd (Bass) Conductor: Sir Colin Davis Orchestra/Ensemble: Royal Opera House Covent Garden Orchestra, Royal Opera House Covent Garden Childrens Chorus Period: Romantic Written: 1892; France |
|
Language: French |
|||
| |||||
|
| About ArkivMusic Contact Us Partner Program Institutional Sales Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Help Your Account Shortcuts |
|
| ArkivMusic - The Source for Classical Music! |
|
Copyright ArkivMusic LLC, 2009. | |
|
| Data supplied by Muze, Inc. Copyright 1948-2009. For personal use only. All rights reserved. |
|
||
|
Reviews provided by ClassicsToday.com Copyright 1999-2004 | |
|