Notes and Editorial Reviews
When Fritz Wunderlich died in a fall in 1966 at age 36 the opera world lost a masterful lyric tenor whose voice was tonally beautiful (a honeyed timbre with a tough backbone) and notable for its open, direct sound, unusual in German tenors traditionally trained to produce a throaty quality. And Wunderlich was more than just a voice: he could characterize well, lightening or darkening the voice to suit the dramatic situation. He always phrased with elegance and his legato singing was breathtaking, as we easily hear in virtually every selection on these well-filled discs recorded in the early 1960s when his natural gifts blossomed to enable mature interpretive insights. Put succinctly, if you love Björling, you'll love Wunderlich.
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All of the items but one, a gorgeously sung Handel "Ombra mai fu", are in German. Since many of these selections are from French and Italian operas, singing them in guttural German often is a downer, or at best forces the listener to make mental adjustments not always to the benefit of the music. Not to worry--despite accurate German diction, Wunderlich makes the music sound totally idiomatic, so much so that for the most part you don't even realize he's singing in the "wrong" language. In fact, he sounds like a great French tenor in the French arias that open Disc 2, complete with the slightly nasal sound and melting soft phrases that distinguish the best of that breed.
Wunderlich's Mozart is nothing short of fabulous; in "Il mio tesoro" and "Dalla sua pace" from Don Giovanni he negotiates the high tessitura comfortably, adding muscle to the tone to transform Don Ottavio from wimp to concerned lover. Similar timbral qualities make "Un'aura amorosa" from Cosi fan tutte, and Die Zauberflöte's "Dies Bildnis" irresistible. Welcome too, are some German arias from operas rarely heard these days by Cornelius, Lortzing, Kienzl, and a melting "Lensky's Aria" from Eugene Onegin.
Much of the second disc is given over to operetta, where Wunderlich shows himself the natural heir to Richard Tauber. He has more voice than Tauber though, compensating for the older singer's infectious charm. Not that Wunderlich is charm-challenged; just hear his "O frag mich nicht" from Fall's Der Fidele Bauer for a healthy dose of it, complete with a smile in the voice. But then, any of the Lehár, Kalman, or Strauss selections also prove the point. Too bad EMI didn't take this opportunity to remaster these transfers since some of the tracks reissued more than a decade or two ago could have benefited. But this isn't serious enough to deter. Wunderlich's star shone briefly, but none shone more brightly. Get this! [6/14/2003]
--Dan Davis, ClassicsToday.com Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Don Giovanni, K 527: Dalla sua pace by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Hans Zanotelli
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Period: Classical
Written: 1787; Prague, Czech Republ
Language: German
2.
Don Giovanni, K 527: Il mio tesoro intanto by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Horst Stein
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Period: Classical
Written: 1787; Prague, Czech Republ
Language: German
3.
Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K 384: O wie ängstlich, o wie feurig by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Berislav Klobucar
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Period: Classical
Written: 1782; Vienna, Austria
Language: German
4.
Così fan tutte, K 588: Un' aura amorosa by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Berislav Klobucar
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Period: Classical
Written: 1790; Vienna, Austria
Language: German
5.
Serse, HWV 40: Ombra mai fu "Largo" by George Frideric Handel
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Hans Müller-Kray
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bavarian State Orchestra
Period: Baroque
Written: 1738; London, England
Language: Italian
6.
Martha: Ach, so fromm by Friedrich von Flotow
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Berislav Klobucar
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1847; Germany
Language: German
7.
Der fliegende Holländer: Mit Gewitter und Sturm by Richard Wagner
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Franz Konwitschny
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin State Opera Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1841/1852; Germany
Language: German
8.
Zar und Zimmermann: Lebe wohl, mein flandrisch Mädchen by Albert Lortzing
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Berislav Klobucar
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1837; Germany
Language: German
9.
Der Evangelimann, Op. 45: Selig sind, die Verfolgung leiden by Wilhelm Kienzl
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Hans Müller-Kray
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bavarian State Orchestra,
St. Wolfang Childrens Chorus
Period: Romantic
Written: 1894; Bad Aussee, Austria
Language: German
10.
Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor: Horch, die Lerche singt im Hain by Otto Nicolai
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Robert Heger
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bavarian State Orchestra
Period: Renaissance
Written: 1536; Spain
Language: German
11.
Bartered Bride, B 143/T 93: Poor fool...is it really true by Bedrich Smetana
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Rudolf Kempe
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bamberg Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1863/1870; Czech Republic
Language: German
12.
Eugene Onegin, Op. 24: Lensky's aria by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Horst Stein
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Written: 1879
Language: German
13.
Mignon: Adieu, Mignon! Courage! by Ambroise Thomas
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Horst Stein
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1866; France
Language: German
14.
Manon: Instant charmant...En fermant les yeux "Dream of des Grieux" by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Berislav Klobucar
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1883-1884; France
Language: German
15.
La dame blanche: Viens, gentille dame by François Boieldieu
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Hans Müller-Kray
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bavarian State Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1825; Paris, France
Language: German
16.
L'Elisir d'Amore: Quanto è bella! Quanto è cara! by Gaetano Donizetti
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Hans Müller-Kray
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bavarian State Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1832; Italy
Language: German
17.
Eine Nacht in Venedig: Komm in die Gondel, mein Liebchen by Johann Strauss Jr.
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor),
Rudolf Schock (Tenor)
Conductor:
Fried Walter
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Written: 1883
Language: German
18.
Der Bettelstudent: Durch diesen Kuss by Karl Millöcker
Performer:
Liselotte Schmidt (Soprano),
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Werner Schmidt-Bölke
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1882; Vienna, Austria
Language: German
19.
Das Land des Lächelns: Von Apfelblüten einen Kranz by Franz Lehár
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Carl Michalski
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Graunke Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1929; Vienna, Austria
Language: German
20.
Der Zarewitsch: Allein, wieder allein "Wolgalied" by Franz Lehár
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Hans Moltkau
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bavarian State Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1927; Vienna, Austria
Language: German
21.
Gräfin Mariza: Grüss mir mein Wien by Emmerich Kálmán
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Hans Moltkau
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bavarian State Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1924; Vienna, Austria
Language: German
Notes: This selection is preceded by "Wenn es Abend wird..."
22.
Der Fidele Bauer: O frag'mich nicht by Leo Fall
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Carl Michalski
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Graunke Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1907; Austria
Language: German
Notes: This selection is preceded by "Kleinen Kindern..."
23.
Die Rose von Stambul: Zwei Augen, die Wollen mir nicht by Leo Fall
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Hans Moltkau
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bavarian State Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1916; Vienna, Austria
Language: German
24.
Der Rattenfänger von Hameln: Wandern, ach wandern by Adolf Neuendorff
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Werner Eisbrenner
Orchestra/Ensemble:
FFB Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1880; New York, USA
Language: German
25.
Die Zauberflöte, K 620: Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Berislav Klobucar
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Period: Classical
Written: 1791; Vienna, Austria
Language: German
26.
Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor: Mein Mädchen by Otto Nicolai
Performer:
Edith Mathis (Soprano),
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Robert Heger
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bavarian State Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1849; Berlin, Germany
Language: German
27.
Bartered Bride, B 143/T 93: I've found you... My lovely treasure by Bedrich Smetana
Performer:
Pilar Lorengar (Soprano),
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Rudolf Kempe
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bamberg Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1863/1870; Czech Republic
Language: German
28.
L'Elisir d'Amore: Una furtiva lagrima by Gaetano Donizetti
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Hans Müller-Kray
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bavarian State Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1832; Italy
Language: German
29.
Eine Nacht in Venedig: Ach, wie so herrlich by Johann Strauss Jr.
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Fried Walter
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1883; Vienna, Austria
Language: German
30.
Giuditta: Freunde, das Leben ist lebenswert by Franz Lehár
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Hans Moltkau
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bavarian State Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1934; Vienna, Austria
Language: German
31.
Das Land des Lächelns: Dein ist mein ganzes Herz by Franz Lehár
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Carl Michalski
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Graunke Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1929; Vienna, Austria
Language: German
32.
Die Zirkusprinzessin: Zwei Märchenaugen by Emmerich Kálmán
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Hans Moltkau
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bavarian State Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1926; Vienna, Austria
Language: German
33.
Gräfin Mariza: Auch ich war...Komm, Zigan by Emmerich Kálmán
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Hans Moltkau
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bavarian State Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1924; Vienna, Austria
Language: German
34.
Die Rose von Stambul: O rose von Stambul by Leo Fall
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Hans Moltkau
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bavarian State Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1916; Vienna, Austria
Language: German
Notes: This selection is preceded by "Man sagt uns nach..."
35.
Der Barbier von Bagdad: So leb' ich noch...Vor deinem Fenster die Blumen by Peter Cornelius
Performer:
Fritz Wunderlich (Tenor)
Conductor:
Hans Müller-Kray
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bavarian State Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1858; Weimar, Germany
Language: German
Sound Samples
Don Giovanni K527 (1986 Digital Remaster), ACT ONE: Nur ihrem Frieden (Dalla sua pace)
Don Giovanni K527 (1990 Digital Remaster): Il mio tesoro
Die Entführung aus dem Serail K384 (1990 Digital Remaster), ACT 1: Konstanze! dich wiederzusehen...O wie ängstlich
Così fan tutte K588 (1986 Digital Remaster): Der Odem der Liebe (Un' aura amorosa)
Die Zauberflöte (1986 Digital Remaster): Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön
Serse (1990 Digital Remaster): Ombra mai fu (Largo)
Martha (1986 Digital Remaster): Ach so fromm
Der fliegende Holländer (1986 Digital Remaster): Mit Gewitter und Sturm
Der Barbier von Bagdad (1990 Digital Remaster): So leb'ich noch ... Vor deinem Fenster die Blumen
Zar und Zimmermann (1990 Digital Remaster), ACT 1: Lebe wohl, mein flandrisch Mädchen
Der Evangelimann Op. 45 (1990 Digital Remaster): Selig sind, die Verfolgung leiden
Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor (1986 Digital Remaster), ACT 2: Horch, die Lerche singt im Hain!
Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor (1986 Digital Remaster), ACT 2: Fenton! - Mein Mädchen
Der verkaufte Braut (1986 Digital Remaster), Akt 1: Armer Narr...Es muß gelingen
Die verkaufte Braut (1990 Digital Remaster), Akt III: So find'ich dich...Mein lieber Schatz, nun aufgepaßt
Eugene Onegin (1990 Digital Remaster): Wohin bist du entschwunden (Lensky's aria)
Mignon (1990 Digital Remaster), Akt II: Leb' wohl, Mignon (Adieu Mignon)
Manon (1990 Digital Remaster), Acte II: Ich schloß die Augen (En ferment les yeux)
Die weisse Dame (1990 Digital Remaster): Komm', o holde Dame
Der Liebestrank (1990 Digital Remaster), Akt 1: Welche Huld und welche Reize (Quanto è bella)
Der Liebestrank (1986 Digital Remaster), Akt II: Wohl drang aus ihrem Herzen - Heimlich aus ihrem Auge (una furtiva lagrima)
Eine Nacht in Venedig (1990 Digital Remaster): Komm' in die Gondel, mein Liebchen
Eine Nacht in Venedig (1990 Digital Remaster): Ach, wie so herrlich zu schau'n (Lagoon Waltz)
Durch diesen Kuß sei unser Bund geweiht (Der Bettelstudent: Jan - Bronislawa, 2.Akt) (1990 Digital Remaster)
Freunde, das Leben ist lebenswert! (Giuditta: Octavio, 1.Akt) (1990 Digital Remaster)
Das Land des Lächelns (1986 Digital Remaster): Von Apfelblüten einen Kranz
Das Land de Lachelns, Act 2 (1986 Digital Remaster): Dein ist mein ganzes Herz
Allein! Wieder Allein! (Wolgalied: Der Zarewitsch, 1.Akt) (1986 Digital Remaster)
Die Zirkusprinzessin (1986 Digital Remaster): Zwei Märchenaugen
Gräfin Mariza (1990 Digital Remaster): Wenn es Abend wird
Gräfin Mariza (1990 Digital Remaster): Auch War Einst Feiner Csárdáskavalier
Kleinen Kindern - O frag' mich nicht, mein süßer Schatz (Der fidele Bauer: Stefan, 2.Akt) (1990 Digital Remaster)
Die Rose von Stambul (1990 Digital Remaster): Man sagt uns nach...O Rose von Stambul (Akt 1)
Die Rose von Stambul (1990 Digital Remaster): Zwei Augen (Akt 3)
Der Rattenfõnger (Wandern, ach wandern) (1990 Digital Remaster)
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