Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande - Schwarzkopf, Haefliger, Roux, Petri, Sciutti, Calabrese; Karajan. Roma, 1954

$8.95



Listen to a Sample:

 

Pros:

  • For a cast made up of mostly non-French speakers, this performance still manages to capture the unique flavor of Debussy's quintessentially French soundscape.
  • Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, as Mélisande, embodies all of the character's mystery and restrained passion.
  • The baritonal range of Pélleas means that Ernst Haefliger never really gets a chance to show off his superb tenor voice. However he brings a strong commitment to the part and the contrast in color between him and the Goloud of Michel Roux helps to highlight their rivalry.
  • Generally I prefer to hear a boy in the role of Yniold, but in the very capable hands of Graziella Sciutti I am willing to make an exception.
  • Herbert von Karajan brings out the romanticism of Debussy's lush score.

Cons:

  • None to mention.

In Mono

OD 12052-2