Verdi: Rigoletto (In German) - Imdahl, Rothenberger, Hopf, Kreppel; Zaun. Düsseldorf, 1959
$8.95
Listen to a Sample:
Pros:
- This German-language Rigoletto is about as Italian as Bratwurst. Still the cast manages to play to their strengths, and creates a performance that, although not Italianate, is still musically compelling.
- Anneliese Rothenberger is exquisite as Gilda, bringing lyricism and youthful ardor to the part.
- Hans Hopf's Duke is a bit heavy-handed, but nonetheless impressively sung given how much lighter this role is than his normal diet of Wagner and Strauss.
Cons:
- Fritz Jaun conducts a taught performance, but to my ears the orchestra at times sounds a bit too driven and lacks any sense of lightness.
NOTE:
The opening prelude of Act IV is missing as well as the final few minutes of the opera.
In Mono
OD 11584-2