Verdi: Falstaff - Fischer-Dieskau, Lorengar, Mathis, Wixell, Alva, Little, Johnson; Maazel. Tokyo (D.O.B. tour), 1970
$16.95
Description:
Star-power will not make Falstaff a success, but on this occasion it certainly doesn’t hurt. Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau seems an incongruous fit in the title role. An artist who grew to epitomize elegance and good taste, on paper at least, seems at odds with the portly knight’s amoral world-view. So it is a testament to DFD’s artistry that he can delve into the base world of inns and thieves and emerge smelling like roses. Despite the fact that Alice’s music contains very few moments to shine vocally, Pilar Lorengar still manages to seduce both knight and audience with her plummy soprano. Edith Mathis brings an excellent mix of ingenue and ample lush tone to the role of Nannetta. Luis Alva is a little light as Fenton. He conveys all of the character’s youth, but I found myself wanting a little more meat in his sound during his Act III aria. Ingvar Wixell is stunning as Ford. Lorin Maazel is perhaps ideally suited to tackle this opera. His superb stick technique, meticulous musical approach and impeccable taste make for some very fine ensemble-making. The sound is excellent.
In Stereo
OD 11368-2
Listen to a Sample:
Joyous Performance in Excellent Sound!
Anyone who insists Fischer-Dieskau didn't have a sense of humor hasn't heard this recording. He is delightful from start to finish, obviously having a good time. Lorengar really makes something out of Alice, one of the few Verdi prima donna roles with no big solo. But Alice must run the show and that Lorengar certainly does right up to her final shining top C. Mathis is right there with her and sings a melting "Sul fiore" in the last scene as well. Little, an African American contralto who made most of her career in Europe, is a sexy Quickly having no trouble getting down to low E at the beginning of Act Two, scene two. Wixell is a first-rate Ford who manages to give us Ford's splenetic personality without going overboard. Johnson is an unusually assertive Meg, Alva a fine Fenton (though his vibrato has loosened a bit). The supporting cast is great as is Maazel's conducting. The sound is excellent broadcast stereo with only a few brief moments of radio static. A Falstaff for the ages!
Fabulous Falstaff
This is a very fun Falstaff. Dieskau does a nice job as the title character and the rest of the cast is also great. Maazel keeps the opera moving at a nice clip and the sound is excellent. I enjoyed this performance very much.
