{"title":"FRICK, Gottlob","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"mozart-don-giovanni-waechter-sutherland-schwarzkopf-taddei-sciutti-alva-cappuccilli-frick-davis-london-1959","title":"Mozart: Don Giovanni - Wächter, Sutherland, Schwarzkopf, Taddei, Sciutti, Alva, Cappuccilli, Frick; Davis.  London, 1959","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis performance of \u003cem\u003eDon Giovanni \u003c\/em\u003ewas meant to be a dry-run for the now legendary recording of Don Giovanni conducted by Carlo Maria Giulini with one notable exception. Giulini got sick. Fortunately Colin Davis, another talented Mozartian, was waiting in the wings. The approaches of the two conductors couldn't be more different. Whereas Giulini favored a more romantic approach, Davis delivers a lighter, nimbler reading. The singers are all the same and they are phenomenal. Eberhard Wächter as the Don might not appeal to those who prefer a bass-baritone in the role, but he may just change your mind when you hear the thrilling high A he unleashes during the final scene. I can think of few baritones who had the ability to alternate seamlessly between buffo characters and leading men as well as Giuseppe Taddei and Leporello gives him ample opportunities to do just that. The rest of the cast includes Elisabeth Schwarzkopf as Elvira, Joan Sutherland as Anna, Luigi Alva as Ottavio, Graziella Sciutti as Zerlini, Gottlob Frick as the Commendatore and even a young Piero Cappuccilli as Masetto. The bad news is that the sound is somewhat muffled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10916-3\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292665823368,"sku":"10916-3","price":26.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098734980,"sku":"MP3 10916-3","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10916-3front.jpg?v=1751037306"},{"product_id":"wagner-gotterdammerung-nilsson-windgassen-frick-stewart-solti","title":"Wagner: Götterdämmerung - Nilsson, Windgassen, Frick, Stewart, Collier, Kraus, Jones, Hunter; Solti.  London, 1963","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"two-column-grid\"\u003e\n\u003c!-- Left Column: Title, Composer, Description --\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ch1 class=\"title-header\"\u003eGötterdämmerung\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard Wagner (1813–1883)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"section-heading\"\u003eDESCRIPTION\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn many respects, this performance of \u003cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eGötterdämmerung\u003c\/span\u003e can be viewed as a precursor to \u003cstrong\u003eGeorg Solti\u003c\/strong\u003e’s later studio Ring cycle, sharing as it does three of the principal voices: \u003cstrong\u003eBirgit Nilsson\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eWolfgang Windgassen\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eGottlob Frick\u003c\/strong\u003e. While it may cede some ground in terms of musical precision, the trade-off is a palpable sense of theatrical urgency—driven both by adrenaline and an audience keenly attuned to the event’s singular intensity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBirgit Nilsson\u003c\/strong\u003e brings imperious authority to Brünnhilde, her vocal control and dramatic insight forming the dramatic core of the evening. \u003cstrong\u003eWolfgang Windgassen\u003c\/strong\u003e captures Siegfried’s youthful bravado with vigor, while \u003cstrong\u003eGottlob Frick\u003c\/strong\u003e contributes a Hagen of uncommon poise and tonal refinement, among the most distinguished on record.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe supporting cast reads like a catalogue of emergent talent: \u003cstrong\u003eMarie Collier\u003c\/strong\u003e offers a notably empathetic Gutrune, and \u003cstrong\u003eThomas Stewart\u003c\/strong\u003e is persuasive in both vocal and physical stature as Gunther. \u003cstrong\u003eJosephine Veasey\u003c\/strong\u003e lends gravity to Fricka, while future luminaries \u003cstrong\u003eGwyneth Jones\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eRita Hunter\u003c\/strong\u003e appear in smaller roles as Wellgunde and the Third Norn, respectively, offering early glimpses of their future promise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"mobile-only-hr\"\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- Right Column: Cast and Details --\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"section-heading\"\u003eCAST\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrünnhilde – \u003cstrong\u003eBirgit Nilsson\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSiegfried – \u003cstrong\u003eWolfgang Windgassen\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGutrune – \u003cstrong\u003eMarie Collier\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGunther – \u003cstrong\u003eThomas Stewart\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHagen – \u003cstrong\u003eGottlob Frick\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlberich – \u003cstrong\u003eOtakar Kraus\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWaltraute – \u003cstrong\u003eJosephine Veasey\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWoglinde – \u003cstrong\u003eBarbara Holt\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWellgunde – \u003cstrong\u003eGwyneth Jones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFlosshilde – \u003cstrong\u003eMaureen Guy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1 Norn – \u003cstrong\u003eMonica Sinclair\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e2 Norn – \u003cstrong\u003eMargarete Elkins\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e3 Norn – \u003cstrong\u003eRita Hunter\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"section-heading\"\u003eDETAILS\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocation: \u003cstrong\u003eLondon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDate: \u003cstrong\u003eOctober 14, 1963\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eConductor: \u003cstrong\u003eGeorg Solti\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCatalogue Number: \u003cstrong\u003eOD 10286-4\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLabel: \u003cstrong\u003eOpera Depot\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNumber of Discs: \u003cstrong\u003e4\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn Mono\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292656976008,"sku":"10286-4","price":34.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099219716,"sku":"MP3 10286-4","price":18.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC","offer_id":50972773253441,"sku":"FLAC 10286-4","price":22.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10286-4front.jpg?v=1762672411"},{"product_id":"wagner-die-meistersinger-von-nurnberg-seefried-schoffler-beirer-reiner","title":"Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg - Schöffler, Seefried, Beirer, Frick, Kunz; Reiner. Wien, 1955","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"760\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"32\"\u003eDie Meistersinger von Nürnberg\u003c\/em\u003e has had a complex history. Its admirers praise its unmatched humanity and \u003cstrong data-start=\"107\" data-end=\"125\"\u003eRichard Wagner\u003c\/strong\u003e’s brilliant formal structure, while its detractors struggle with Sachs’ Act III monologue, which can feel uncomfortably close to Third Reich ideology—despite being written a generation earlier. This performance, however, seems to focus on reconciliation. Staged in Vienna just ten years after the war, there is a palpable urgency in conveying the opera’s true essence: a celebration of art, German and otherwise. A particularly moving moment occurs in Act III, when the entrance of Hans Sachs is met with a spontaneous and prolonged ovation—what prompted it remains unknown, but the raw emotion on and off the stage is unmistakable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"762\" data-end=\"1348\" data-is-last-node=\"\"\u003eThe cast delivers strong performances, led by \u003cstrong data-start=\"808\" data-end=\"826\"\u003ePaul Schöffler\u003c\/strong\u003e, whose Hans Sachs is deeply compelling. \u003cstrong data-start=\"867\" data-end=\"887\"\u003eIrmgard Seefried\u003c\/strong\u003e is a charming Evchen, while \u003cstrong data-start=\"916\" data-end=\"931\"\u003eHans Beirer\u003c\/strong\u003e proves that beyond the sheer power of his voice, he possesses genuine artistry—his \u003cem data-start=\"1015\" data-end=\"1026\"\u003ePreislied\u003c\/em\u003e is both burnished and sweet, executed with remarkable finesse, even at the deliberate pacing set by \u003cstrong data-start=\"1127\" data-end=\"1143\"\u003eFritz Reiner\u003c\/strong\u003e, who otherwise leads an organic and spirited performance. The sound quality is excellent, though, in the interest of full disclosure, there is some mild clicking on the last CD, totaling about 40 seconds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10511-4\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292645015688,"sku":"10511-4","price":34.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099197892,"sku":"MP3 10511-4","price":18.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10511-4front.jpg?v=1751036870"},{"product_id":"wagner-gotterdammerung-varnay-hopf-frick-keleman-hoffman-klobucar","title":"Wagner: Götterdämmerung - Varnay, Hopf, Frick, Keleman, Cordes, Hoffman; Klobucar.  Bayreuth, 1964","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver the past few months I have been making a point to amass as many Bayreuth performances as are available. The remarkable thing that I have come to learn in doing so, is that even though they perform the same operas over and over and often with the same cast, each performance is different. (Irene Dalis told me that over the three consecutive summers that she went there to sing Kundry, Wieland Wagner would show up with a different conception each time.) This performance assembles the great Astrid Varnay with Hans Hopf and Gottlob Frick. The \u003cem\u003eGötterdämmerung\u003c\/em\u003e Brünnhilde always brought out the best in Varnay and she shines from love duet to Immolation scene. Hans Hopf's voice comes across as a little wooden but he manages the daunting challenges of this role with seeming ease. Gottlob Frick's black bass voice creates an evil yet oddly aristocratic Hagen. The rest of the cast is very good particularly the third Norn of Anita Välkki. The sound is excellent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11037-4\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292636070024,"sku":"11037-4","price":34.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099222788,"sku":"MP3 11037-4","price":18.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11037-4front.jpg?v=1751036578"},{"product_id":"wagner-gotterdammerung-windgassen-shuard-frick-shaw-veasey-solti","title":"Wagner: Götterdämmerung - Shuard, Windgassen, Frick, Shaw, Veasey; Solti. London, 1965","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough Amy Shuard was a singer whom I have admired for many years, every singer has their limits and occasionally Shuard pushes the limits of her lyric instrument. Still she sings intelligently and highlights Brünnhilde's youth and vulnerability. Accordingly she doesn't play Act II as a vengeful Valkyrie but as scared teenager, and if her voice at times buckles under the pressures of the role it adds to the desperation of the character. Wolfgang Windgassen, on the other hand, seems much more comfortable in the role of Siegfried. Gottlob Frick's Hagen is beyond compare. Pure evil. Georg Solti seems to relish the infinite color and detail of \u003cem\u003eGötterdämmerung\u003c\/em\u003e more than any of the other operas in this cycle and at times ignites the orchestra into a frenzy. The sound is fair to good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10766-4\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292634497160,"sku":"10766-4","price":34.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099223108,"sku":"MP3 10766-4","price":18.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10766-4front.jpg?v=1751036537"},{"product_id":"wagner-ring-excerpts-ward-hotter-shuard-jones-windgassen-frick-kozub-solti","title":"Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen (excerpts) - Shuard, Windgassen, Ward, Hotter, Jones; Solti.  London, 1965","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite the fact that Georg Solti's name has now become forever linked to Wagner's \u003cem\u003eRing Cycle\u003c\/em\u003e, he seems to have conducted only a few complete cycles. His last outing was in 1983 at Bayreuth. Sadly, it became clear that he had lost his insight into Wagner's tetralogy creating an overly-analyzed and mannered performance. In many ways this performance, from 1965, may be his finest recording of the \u003cem\u003eRing\u003c\/em\u003e. Notorious in the studio for insisting on take after take, to the detriment of any kind of freshness, he is forced to rely more on his instincts which prove to be wiser in many ways than his obsession with perfection. The orchestration sounds like a living organism the undulates and breaths with the action on stage. The cast assembled is first rate. Amy Shuard brings a beauty and youthfulness that is rarely associated with Brünnhilde. Wolfgang Windgassen and Gottlob Frick reprise their roles as Siegfried and Hagen, respectively and a young Gwyneth Jones gets to dip her toe into the Wagner pool, delivering a red-hot Sieglinde aided in no small part to the superb Siegmund of Ernst Kozub. This should be a priceless document to anyone who grew up listening to the Solti \u003cem\u003eRing\u003c\/em\u003e. The sound is fair to good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10768-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292634464392,"sku":"10768-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099242500,"sku":"MP3 10768-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10768-2front.jpg?v=1751036536"},{"product_id":"wagner-der-ring-des-nibelungen-shuard-windgassen-ward-hotter-jones-kozub-solti-london-1965","title":"Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen - Shuard, Windgassen, Ward, Hotter, Jones, Kozub; Solti.  London, 1965","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite the fact that Georg Solti’s name has now become forever linked to Wagner’s \u003cem\u003eRing Cycle\u003c\/em\u003e, he seems to have conducted only a few complete cycles. His last outing was in 1983 at Bayreuth. Sadly it became clear that he had lost his insight into Wagner’s tetrology creating an overly-analyzed and mannered performance. In many ways this performance, from 1965, may be his finest recording of the \u003cem\u003eRing\u003c\/em\u003e. Notorious in the studio for insisting on take after take, to the detriment of any kind of freshness, he is forced to rely more on his instincts which prove to be wiser in many ways than his obsession with perfection. The orchestration sounds like a living organism the undulates and breaths with the action on stage. The cast assembled is first rate. Amy Shuard brings a beauty and youthfulness that is rarely associated with Brünnhilde. Wolfgang Windgassen and Gottlob Frick reprise their roles as Siegfried and Hagen, respectively and a young Gwyneth Jones gets to dip her toe into the Wagner pool, delivering a red-hot Sieglinde aided in no small part to the superb Siegmund of Ernst Kozub. This should be a priceless document to anyone who grew up listening to the Solti \u003cem\u003eRing\u003c\/em\u003e. The sound is fair to good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10767-14\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292634235016,"sku":"10767-14","price":112.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099185988,"sku":"MP3 10767-14","price":59.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10767-14front.jpg?v=1751036527"},{"product_id":"pfitzner-palestrina-lorenz-schoffler-frantz-soderstrom-madeira-frick-kempe","title":"Pfitzner: Palestrina - Lorenz, Schöffler, Frantz, Madeira, Von Rohr, Söderström, Frick; Kempe.  Salzburg. 1955","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen I was 18 years old \u003cem\u003ePalestrina\u003c\/em\u003e came in a touring production to New York City.  Assuming that this would be one of my only chances to hear this opera I made the trek from Boston.  The evening left a deep impression, due in no small part to the excellent cast, and I have found myself returning to this mysterious opera often throughout my life.  The plot of the opera centers on an apocryphal legend of Palestrina saving polyphony.  On paper that doesn't seem like a very interesting subject for an opera, but Pfitzner's music does a wonderful job of painting the mood both of Palestrina and the contentious council of Trent.  The music has a suspended quality much like Parsifal.  This performance does an excellent job of advocating for the works' merits.  Max Lorenz in the title role is a little past his prime but still uses his over-sized tenor with restraint and class.  Paul Schöffler is a stern Borromeo and some of the smaller roles include the likes of Elisabeth Söderström, Gottlob Frick, Jean Madeira and Ferdinand Frantz.  The sound is good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10789-3\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292633677960,"sku":"10789-3","price":26.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098747972,"sku":"MP3 10789-3","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC","offer_id":49849307988289,"sku":null,"price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10789-3front.jpg?v=1751036510"},{"product_id":"wagner-gotterdammerung-varnay-windgassen-frick-uhde-kraus-shuard-konwitschny","title":"Wagner: Götterdämmerung - Varnay, Windgassen, Frick, Uhde, Kraus, Shuard; Konwitschny.  London, 1959","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf \u003cem\u003eDas Rheingold\u003c\/em\u003e is a political allegory, \u003cem\u003eDie Walküre\u003c\/em\u003e is a family drama, \u003cem\u003eSiegfried\u003c\/em\u003e a comedy, then \u003cem\u003eGötterdämmerung\u003c\/em\u003e can be broadly characterized as the action film of the group. And if George Bernard Shaw found the whole affair rather tawdry in relationship to the subtlety of the earlier operas, he can easily be overlooked when you assemble a cast like this that is able to ignite the stage in a firestorm of drama and excitement. Astrid Varnay is a force of nature throughout delivering one of the most exciting Act IIs I have ever heard. Wolfgang Windgassen's Siegfried should be well known to Wagner lovers thanks to the Solti and Böhm \u003cem\u003eRings\u003c\/em\u003e. Surprisingly, in 1959 his voice actually had a darker hue than in the 60s. Gottlob Frick's Hagen is terrifying both due to the black color of his voice as well as the everyman quality he brought to the role elevating the character out of mythic proportions to a level that is more readily identifiable in the context of real life. As alluded to in my descriptions of the previous installments, Konwitschny seems to favor broader tempos. This, at times, seems to flummox the singers who often get ahead of his beat. This is particularly true of Windgassen. Perhaps this was due to a lack of rehearsal or perhaps the singers were just being willful. In the end, you wish that they had made more of an effort to go with his vision as the breadth he brings to the score is revelatory. The sound is excellent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10831-4\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292631122056,"sku":"10831-4","price":34.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099222916,"sku":"MP3 10831-4","price":18.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10831-4front.jpg?v=1751036454"},{"product_id":"wagner-der-ring-des-nibelungen-varnay-hotter-windgassen-shuard-vinay-frick-konwitschny-london-1959","title":"Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen - Varnay, Hotter, Windgassen, Shuard, Vinay, Frick; Konwitschny.   London, 1959","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor me, this year has been a big year for \u003cem\u003eThe Ring\u003c\/em\u003e. I have now remastered seven complete cycles. Remarkably, I have found that every time I encounter a new performance it is almost like hearing it for the first time and I am amazed given the formidable obstacles in presenting this work, just how malleable it is and, unlike other works, how there will never truly be a definitive interpretation. Even if there is about an hour differential between the timings of Knappertsbusch and Boulez, both points of view seem to work within the context of the drama and highlight different aspects of the score. Konwitschny’s interpretation is no less interesting as well as unique. In general, he favors slower tempi while maintaining the lyricism of the melodic line. His approach is softer in many ways giving the orchestra a feeling of transparency and lightness throughout. His efforts are buttressed by some phenomenal singing. Astrid Varnay delivers one of the finest performances of Brünnhilde I have ever heard her do. Although she had already been singing Wagner for nearly twenty years, and she would soon retire the hochdramatische roles from her repertoire, she approaches the daunting challenges unflinchingly and misses none of the marks. She is joined by Wolfgang Windgassen as Siegfried. In hearing his performance you really get the sense of what an excellent technician he was. Even if his voice was not truly of the heldentenor ilk, he never pushes it beyond its means maintaining the sweetness of his voice throughout the long evenings. Hans Hotter is captured at the height of both his vocal and interpretive powers. It is hard to envisage what a better Wotan would sound like. The rest of the cast includes Amy Shuard and Ramón Vinay as Siegmund and Sieglinde, respectively, Gottlob Frick as Hagen and Ursula Boese as Fricka. The sound is superb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10832-13\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292631089288,"sku":"10832-13","price":107.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099187460,"sku":"MP3 10832-13","price":55.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10832-13front.jpg?v=1751036452"},{"product_id":"wagner-ring-excerpts-varnay-hotter-windgassen-shuard-vinay-konwitschny","title":"Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen (EXCERPTS) - Varnay, Hotter, Windgassen, Shuard, Vinay, Frick; Konwitschny.   London, 1959","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor me, this year has been a big year for \u003cem\u003eThe Ring\u003c\/em\u003e. I have now remastered seven complete cycles. Remarkably, I have found that every time I encounter a new performance it is almost like hearing it for the first time and I am amazed given the formidable obstacles in presenting this work, just how malleable it is and, unlike other works, how there will never truly be a definitive interpretation. Even if there is about an hour differential between the timings of Knappertsbusch and Boulez, both points of view seem to work within the context of the drama and highlight different aspects of the score. Konwitschny's interpretation is no less interesting as well as unique. In general, he favors slower tempi while maintaining the lyricism of the melodic line. His approach is softer in many ways giving the orchestra a feeling of transparency and lightness throughout. His efforts are buttressed by some phenomenal singing. Astrid Varnay delivers one of the finest performances of Brünnhilde I have ever heard her do. Although she had already been singing Wagner for nearly twenty years, and she would soon retire the hochdramatische roles from her repertoire, she approaches the daunting challenges unflinchingly and misses none of the marks. She is joined by Wolfgang Windgassen as Siegfried. In hearing his performance you really get the sense of what an excellent technician he was. Even if his voice was not truly of the heldentenor ilk, he never pushes it beyond its means maintaining the sweetness of his voice throughout the long evenings. Hans Hotter is captured at the height of both his vocal and interpretive powers. It is hard to envisage what a better Wotan would sound like. The rest of the cast includes Amy Shuard and Ramón Vinay as Siegmund and Sieglinde, respectively, Gottlob Frick as Hagen and Ursula Boese as Fricka. The sound is superb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10833-1\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292631056520,"sku":"10833-1","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099242372,"sku":"MP3 10833-1","price":5.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10833-1front.jpg?v=1751036451"},{"product_id":"wagner-das-rheingold-frantz-fischer-windgassen-schock-greindl-schuchter","title":"Wagner: Das Rheingold - Frantz, Fischer, Windgassen, Schock, Greindl, Frick; Schüchter.  Hamburg, 1952","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI defy anyone to listen to this recording of \u003cem\u003eDas Rheingold\u003c\/em\u003e and provide me with a reason why Ferdinand Frantz should not be regarded as one of the finest Wotan's of the 20th Century. His voice has a youthful, yet commanding quality, completely devoid of the \"Bayreuth bark\" and does not flag during the entire course of the evening. He is joined by a remarkable supporting cast including Wolfgang Windgassen showing his nimbler side as Loge, Res Fisher as Fricka, a fantastic pair of giants in the form of Gottlob Frick and Josef Greindl and even Rudolf Schock as Froh. The sound is very good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10905-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292628074632,"sku":"10905-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099157956,"sku":"MP3 10905-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10905-2front.jpg?v=1751036367"},{"product_id":"wagner-die-walkure-hotter-valkki-meyfarth-uhl-hoffman-frick-kempe","title":"Wagner: Die Walküre - Välkki, Meyfarth, Hotter, Uhl, Hoffman, Frick; Kempe.  Bayreuth, 1963","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis recording of \u003cem\u003eDie Walküre\u003c\/em\u003e is missing many of the names (i.e. Nilsson, Varnay, Rysanek) that we have come to associate with Bayreuth in the 1960s. Please do not let that deter you because I think you will be pleasantly surprised. In the title role Anita Välkki is remarkable. Her voice is youthful in nature but is also tireless in the dramatic moments which carries her far in creating a Brünnhilde, who although a teenager, has an iron will worthy of her father. The same may be said for Jutta Meyfarth whose Sieglinde is both youthful and opulent. Hans Hotter, no stranger to Bayreuth, delivers a noble Wotan. Fritz Uhl, Grace Hoffman and Gottlob Frick round out this unexpectedly inspired cast. The sound is good although it does get off to a rather rocky start in the opening minutes of the opera.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10994-3\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292626436232,"sku":"10994-3","price":26.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099202692,"sku":"MP3 10994-3","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC","offer_id":27896753672,"sku":"FLAC 10994-3","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/products\/10994-3front.jpeg?v=1751036315"},{"product_id":"wagner-gotterdammerung-nilsson-hopf-frick-stewart-crespin-kempe","title":"Wagner: Götterdämmerung - Nilsson, Hopf, Frick, Stewart, Crespin, Kraus, Hoffman; Kempe. Bayreuth, 1961","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA cast for \u003cem\u003eGötterdämmerung\u003c\/em\u003e really doesn't get any better than this. You have Birgit Nilsson, at the peak of her career, singing Brünnhilde, Hans Hopf, a tenor who was never the first choice of his day but would own the world if her were active now, Gottlob Frick, the Bela Lugosi of Basses, as Hagen, Thomas Stewart, as Gunther and even Régine Crespin as the third Norn. With Rudolf Kempe at the helm, it made for an exhilarating culmination to a \u003cem\u003eRing Cycle\u003c\/em\u003e that is truly one of the greatest ever preserved. The sound is good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10999-4\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292626305160,"sku":"10999-4","price":34.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099218692,"sku":"MP3 10999-4","price":18.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10999-4front.jpg?v=1751036310"},{"product_id":"wagner-die-walkure-varnay-hines-crespin-uhl-resnik-frick-kempe","title":"Wagner: Die Walküre - Varnay, Hines, Crespin, Uhl, Resnik, Frick; Kempe.  Bayreuth, 1961","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis performance of \u003cem\u003eDie Walküre\u003c\/em\u003e has some very interesting features. First, is the Wotan of bass Jerome Hines. Although Hines had a long career at the Metropolitan Opera, he was often overlooked in the major Wagner roles. He brings an attractive bass-baritone and a straight-forward approach, making his Wotan seem more the \"everyman\" than god. Astrid Varnay was still in excellent voice in 1961 and sings with urgency and vigor. Regina Resnik brings a little bit of Klytämnestra to her Fricka making the character come across about as formidable as I have ever heard (you can see why Wotan would fold to her will so easily.) We all know Régine Crespin's Sieglinde from the Solti \u003cem\u003eRing\u003c\/em\u003e. Out of the studio, she brings even more abandon to the role. Fritz Uhl is a sturdy, if somewhat monochromatic, Siegmund. The sound is excellent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10997-3\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292626272392,"sku":"10997-3","price":26.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099213188,"sku":"MP3 10997-3","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10997-3front.jpg?v=1772212494"},{"product_id":"wagner-der-ring-des-nibelungen-nilsson-varnay-hines-milligan-crespin-resnik-kempe-bayreuth-1961","title":"Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen - Nilsson, Varnay, Hines, Milligan, Crespin, Resnik; Kempe.  Bayreuth, 1961","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEven in an era in which there seemed to be an over abundance of great Wagner singers, this \u003cem\u003eRing Cycle\u003c\/em\u003e stands out. Many seem to dislike the tradition of splitting up roles in a complete cycle, but when you have Astrid Varnay alternating the role of Brünnhilde with a fresh-voiced Birgit Nilsson it is hard to complain. Varnay brings a sensitivity and subtlety to Brünnhilde as well as remarkable vocal security despite having sung this role for twenty years. Birgit Nilsson takes the \u003cem\u003eSiegfried\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGötterdämmerung\u003c\/em\u003e Brünnhildes and sings with effortless strength and beauty. Other stand-outs include James Milligan as the Wanderer. If you have never heard of him, it is because he tragically died a few months after this performance at the age of 33. This document, one of the few that remain, demonstrates that he was to have been the greatest Wotan of his generation. Jerome Hines sings the \u003cem\u003eRheingold\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eWalküre\u003c\/em\u003e Wotans and brings both warmth and gravitas. Regina Resnik, formerly a Bayreuth Sieglinde, shows that her true calling was as Fricka and delivers a goddess formidable enough to stand up to the head god. Régine Crespin delivers an impassioned Sieglinde as well as an impressive third Norn. Gottlob Frick once again asserts his dominance over the role of Hagen and Thomas Stewart delivers a Gunther that is more dynamic hero than patsy. The sound ranges from excellent to good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11000-13\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292626239624,"sku":"11000-13","price":107.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099184324,"sku":"MP3 11000-13","price":55.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11000-13front.jpg?v=1751036308"},{"product_id":"wagner-ring-nibelungen-nilsson-varnay-crespin-hines-resnik-stewart-kempe","title":"Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen (EXCERPTS) - Nilsson, Varnay, Hines, Uhl, Crespin, Frick, Stewart; Kempe.  Bayreuth, 1961","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEven in an era in which there seemed to be an over abundance of great Wagner singers, this \u003cem\u003eRing Cycle\u003c\/em\u003e stands out. Many seem to dislike the tradition of splitting up roles in a complete cycle, but when you have Astrid Varnay alternating the role of Brünnhilde with a fresh voiced Birgit Nilsson it is hard to complain. Varnay brings a sensitivity and subtlety to Brünnhilde as well as remarkable vocal security despite having sung this role for twenty years. Birgit Nilsson takes the \u003cem\u003eSiegfried\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGötterdämmerung\u003c\/em\u003e Brünnhildes and sings with effortless strength and beauty. Other stand-outs include James Milligan as the Wanderer. If you have never heard of him, it is because he tragically died a few months after this performance at the age of 33. This document, one of the few that remain, demonstrates that he was to have been the greatest Wotan of his generation. Jerome Hines sings the \u003cem\u003eRheingold\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eWalküre\u003c\/em\u003e Wotans and brings both warmth and gravitas. Regina Resnik, formerly a Bayreuth Sieglinde, shows that her true calling was as Fricka and delivers a goddess formidable enough to stand up to the head god. Régine Crespin delivers an impassioned Sieglinde as well as an impressive third Norn. Gottlob Frick once again asserts his dominance over the role of Hagen and Thomas Stewart delivers a Gunther that is more dynamic hero than patsy. I had a great time making this compilation and have included many of the famous sections as well as some of my favorite parts like the Third Norn solo in the prologue of \u003cem\u003eGötterdämmerung\u003c\/em\u003e with Régine Crespin as well as the thrilling conclusion to Act II of \u003cem\u003eGötterdämmerung\u003c\/em\u003e. The sound ranges from excellent to good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11001-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292625682568,"sku":"11001-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099243204,"sku":"MP3 11001-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11001-2front.jpg?v=1751036289"},{"product_id":"wagner-das-rheingold-bayreuth-1964-klobucar-adam-hoffman-stolze","title":"Wagner: Das Rheingold - Adam, Hoffman, Cordes, Stolze, Hopf, Meyfarth, Frick; Klobucar, 1964","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough the premiere of a \u003cem\u003eRing Cycle\u003c\/em\u003e at Bayreuth will always be a very special occasion, some of the most satisfying performances come from the last years of a given production, after a cast has had many summers to refine their approach and find new nuances. Such is the case for this performance of \u003cem\u003eDas Rheingold,\u003c\/em\u003e particularly the dynamic between Theo Adam as Wotan and Gerhard Stolze as Loge. The interaction between Stolze and Adam is so natural that they almost give the impression that they are actors in a play as opposed to singers. That is not to say that their singing is any less distinguished. Adam in particular sounds as fresh and virile as ever. Grace Hoffman adds needed sympathy to the role of Fricka. The one newcomer to the production is Berislav Klobucar. Klobuar's take on the \u003cem\u003eRing\u003c\/em\u003e seems a little more organic compared with Kempe's manicured approach and he deftly curates the moments when to let the orchestra sing and when they should accompany the singers. The sound is very good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11034-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292624830600,"sku":"11034-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099157828,"sku":"MP3 11034-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11034-2front.jpg?v=1751036265"},{"product_id":"wagner-die-walkure-valkki-adam-klobucar-bayreuth-1964-meyfarth-uhl-frick","title":"Wagner: Die Walküre - Välkki, Meyfarth, Adam, Uhl, Hoffman, Frick; Klobucar.  Bayreuth, 1964","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo the uninformed, Wagner can often conjure up images of overweight men and women in horned helmuts. While the helmets have fallen out of favor, to those who consider themselves \"perfect Wagnerites\", suffering the odd middle-aged soprano trying to pull off coy is an unfortunate reality. So when a performance like this, which boasts a cast that can convey the youth of their characters, comes along it is truly a breath of fresh air. Anita Välkki's smokey soprano abounds with energy and if she lacks the power of Birgit Nilsson she makes up for it in vocal athleticism. Theo Adam's Wotan is both virile and nuanced, making it clear why he owned this role at Bayreuth for nearly 15 years. Jutta Meyfarth's silvery soprano blooms in all the right places making for a Sieglinde that is both passionate and sensual. Fritz Uhl's lyric tenor is equally youthful, although his performance lacks the ardency of his colleagues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOTE:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe sound is very good, although I should point out that there is an unfortunate drop-out of about 45 seconds at the end of the opera during Wotan's last utterance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11035-3\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292624797832,"sku":"11035-3","price":26.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099212484,"sku":"MP3 11035-3","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11035-3front.jpg?v=1751036264"},{"product_id":"wagner-der-ring-des-nibelungen-varnay-valkki-hopf-adam-hoffmann-uhl-frick-klobucar-bayreuth-1964","title":"Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen - Varnay, Välkki, Hopf, Adam, Hoffmann, Uhl, Frick; Klobucar. Bayreuth, 1964","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA revival at Bayreuth is different than at other houses. The standard model is that when a house revives a production, they will often bring in an entirely new cast, conductor and an assistant will restage the original director's vision. At Bayreuth, however, the same conductor will return for each subsequent mounting, as well as the original stage director, often bringing new ideas, and for the most part the same cast will return to their respective roles. The result is that as productions come back, the overall concept gets tighter and more nuanced. (Think of how the Chéreau \u003cem\u003eRing Cycle\u003c\/em\u003e was a panned in 1976 when it premiered and lauded by the time the videos were made in 1981.) This phenomenon is borne out in this performance of the \u003cem\u003eRing\u003c\/em\u003e, which marked the last summer of Wolfgang Wagner's 1960 production. The one very notable difference is that it was conducted by Berislav Klobucar as opposed to Rudolf Kempe, marking his only \u003cem\u003eRing Cycle\u003c\/em\u003e at Bayreuth. Klobucar brings an earthier approach to the \u003cem\u003eRing\u003c\/em\u003e and if he is less refined than Rudolf Kempe, there is a guttural immediacy and dramatic impact that is lacking from Kempe's cycles. The cast is first rate. Anita Välkki sings the \u003cem\u003eWalküre\u003c\/em\u003e Brünnhilde and Astrid Varnay sings the \u003cem\u003eSiegfried\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGötterdämmerung\u003c\/em\u003e Brünnhildes. Välkki brings a youthful athleticism to the role whereas Varnay brings her 20 years of experience with the \u003cem\u003eRing\u003c\/em\u003e as well as her voluptuous, gleaming high notes. As Siegfried, Hans Hopf's burnished tenor brings to mind Ramón Vinay. Theo Adam sings the \u003cem\u003eRheingold\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eWalküre\u003c\/em\u003e Wotans and Hubert Hoffmann sings the \u003cem\u003eSiegfried\u003c\/em\u003e Wanderer; an interesting pairing since the two have rather similar voices. The rest of the cast features Fritz Uhl as Siegmund, Jutta Meyfarth as Sieglinde, Gottlob Frick as Hagen, Grace Hoffman as Fricka and Waltraute and Gerhard Stolze as Loge. The sound is very good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11038-13\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292624732296,"sku":"11038-13","price":107.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099188548,"sku":"MP3 11038-13","price":55.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11038-13front.jpg?v=1751036262"},{"product_id":"wagner-der-ring-des-nibelungen-valkki-varnay-adam-klobucar-excerpts","title":"Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen (EXCERPTS) - Varnay, Välkki, Hopf, Adam, Uhl, Frick; Klobucar. Bayreuth, 1964","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA revival at Bayreuth is different than at other houses. The standard model is that when a house revives a production, they will often bring in an entirely new cast, conductor and an assistant will restage the original director's vision. At Bayreuth, however, the same conductor will return for each subsequent mounting, as well as the original stage director, often bringing new ideas, and for the most part the same cast will return to their respective roles. The result is that as productions come back, the overall concept gets tighter and more nuanced. (Think of how the Chéreau \u003cem\u003eRing Cycle\u003c\/em\u003e was a panned in 1976 when it premiered and lauded by the time the videos were made in 1981.) This phenomenon is borne out in this performance of the \u003cem\u003eRing\u003c\/em\u003e, which marked the last summer of Wolfgang Wagner's 1960 production. The one very notable difference is that it was conducted by Berislav Klobucar as opposed to Rudolf Kempe, marking his only \u003cem\u003eRing Cycle\u003c\/em\u003e at Bayreuth. Klobucar brings an earthier approach to the \u003cem\u003eRing\u003c\/em\u003e and if he is less refined than Rudolf Kempe, there is a guttural immediacy and dramatic impact that is lacking from Kempe's cycles. The cast is first rate. Anita Välkki sings the \u003cem\u003eWalküre\u003c\/em\u003e Brünnhilde and Astrid Varnay sings the \u003cem\u003eSiegfried\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGötterdämmerung\u003c\/em\u003e Brünnhildes. Välkki brings a youthful athleticism to the role whereas Varnay brings her 20 years of experience with the Ring as well as her voluptuous, gleaming high notes. As Siegfried, Hans Hopf's burnished tenor brings to mind Ramón Vinay. Theo Adam sings the \u003cem\u003eRheingold\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eWalküre\u003c\/em\u003e Wotans and Hubert Hoffmann sings the Siegfried Wanderer; an interesting pairing since the two have rather similar voices. The rest of the cast features Fritz Uhl as Siegmund, Jutta Meyfarth as Sieglinde, Gottlob Frick as Hagen, Grace Hoffman as Fricka and Waltraute and Gerhard Stolze as Loge. The sound is very good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11039-1\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292624535688,"sku":"11039-1","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14099186372,"sku":"MP3 11039-1","price":5.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11039-1front.jpg?v=1751036254"},{"product_id":"wagner-parsifal-vickers-shuard-gottlob-frick-norman-bailey-te-kanawa-reginald-goodall","title":"Wagner: Parsifal - Vickers, Shuard, Frick, Bailey, Langdon, Te Kanawa; Goodall. 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Jon Vickers, in the title role, benefits enormously from the breadth that Goodall creates, giving his oversized voice ample room to bloom. Gottlob Frick, as Gurnemanz, reveals a beauty of tone that I never knew he had, having only heard him as villains. Amy Shuard delivers a wild Kundry and Norman Bailey is an earnest, if somewhat unglamorous Amfortas. A young Kiri Te Kanawa manages to stand out from the pack, as one of the flower maidens. 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I’m not suggesting, necessarily, that Mozart benefits from oversized voices—it is just noteworthy that singers so well versed in Wagner could scale back their instruments and convey the subtlety and elegance of Mozartian style, then soar over the ensembles with a level of intensity that, for example, the Act I finale of \u003ci\u003eDon Giovanni\u003c\/i\u003e requires.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe vocal standout for me in this recording is the Donna Anna of \u003cb\u003eMarianne Schech\u003c\/b\u003e. The strength of Schech’s voice lies in her gleaming top, which makes for some very exciting singing, particularly in \u003ci\u003e“Or sai chi l’onore.”\u003c\/i\u003e She is well matched by \u003cb\u003eHans Hopf\u003c\/b\u003e as Don Ottavio. In his later years, “subtle” was not an adjective often ascribed to Hopf, but heard here while still in his twenties, he reveals a lyricism and bloom that I had never associated with this singer. \u003cb\u003eMathieu Ahlersmeyer\u003c\/b\u003e’s Don Giovanni is surprisingly good, bringing all the appropriate suave elegance to the role. \u003cb\u003eKurt Böhme\u003c\/b\u003e is a spirited Leporello, and a young \u003cb\u003eGottlob Frick\u003c\/b\u003e shows a totally different side to his artistry than he would later when he dominated the role of Hagen in \u003ci\u003eGötterdämmerung\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe only disappointment is the rather unappealing Zerlina of \u003cb\u003eElfried Weidlich\u003c\/b\u003e. \u003cb\u003eKarl Elmendorff\u003c\/b\u003e’s interpretation is unapologetically romantic yet never too ponderous (read: slow). 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Though the audio may not be ideal, the musical and dramatic values shine through.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Mono\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11689-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292592750728,"sku":"11689-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":302092746760,"sku":"MP3 11689-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC","offer_id":302092812296,"sku":"FLAC 11689-2","price":11.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/products\/11689-2front.jpg?v=1751035497"},{"product_id":"mozart-don-giovanni-siepi-corena-grummer-della-casa-simoneau-frick-berry-mitropoulos","title":"Mozart: Don Giovanni - Siepi, Grümmer, Corena, Della Casa, Simoneau, Streich, Frick, Berry; Mitropoulos. 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While it may sound somewhat dated in today’s \"period performance\" environment, it’s worth appreciating the careful thought and attention to every musical gesture from the exceptional cast, as well as the renowned conductor \u003cstrong\u003eDmitri Mitropoulos\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCesare Siepi\u003c\/strong\u003e fully embodies the role of Don Giovanni, commanding the stage from his first entrance until his descent into hell. \u003cstrong\u003eElisabeth Grümmer\u003c\/strong\u003e brings a Straussian richness to the role of Donna Anna, without sacrificing vocal purity. \u003cstrong\u003eLisa Della Casa\u003c\/strong\u003e offers poised dignity in the role of Donna Elvira, complementing the strong performances throughout the cast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn Mono\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11797-3\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":32152771362952,"sku":"11797-3","price":26.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":32059445051528,"sku":"MP3 11797-3","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC","offer_id":32059445117064,"sku":"FLAC 11797-3","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/products\/11797-3front.jpg?v=1751035394"},{"product_id":"wagner-parsifal-fritz-uhl-amy-shuard-gottlob-frick-georg-solti","title":"Wagner: Parsifal (Acts 2 \u0026 3) - Uhl, Shuard, Frick, Shaw, O. 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Among the singers, \u003cb\u003eGottlob Frick\u003c\/b\u003e offers an impressive Gurnemanz, his authoritative bass colored with surprising tonal warmth. \u003cb\u003eFritz Uhl\u003c\/b\u003e, in the title role, acquits himself vocally with clarity and strength, although his somewhat stiff dramatic presence creates a degree of detachment from the unfolding narrative. \u003cb\u003eAmy Shuard\u003c\/b\u003e makes a vivid impression as Kundry, shifting persuasively between seduction and anguish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis release replaces OD 11185-2 and features corrected pitch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Mono\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11906-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":42745664110826,"sku":"11906-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":42745664143594,"sku":"MP3 11906-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC","offer_id":42745664176362,"sku":"FLAC 11906-2","price":11.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11906-2front.jpg?v=1751035265"},{"product_id":"verdi-requiem-ingrid-bjoner-hertha-topper-waldemar-kmentt-gottlob-frick-karl-richter","title":"Verdi: Messa da Requiem - Bjoner, Töpper, Kmentt, Frick; Richter. 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Free of faux-Italianate affectations, the result is refreshingly direct and emotionally sincere. \u003cstrong\u003eIngrid Bjoner\u003c\/strong\u003e floats above the texture with an ethereal quality that adds a celestial glow to Verdi’s solemn masterpiece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Mono\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 12107-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":49494214312257,"sku":"12107-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":49494214345025,"sku":"MP3 12107-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC","offer_id":49494214377793,"sku":"FLAC 12107-2","price":11.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/12107-2front.jpg?v=1751035020"},{"product_id":"mozart-die-zauberflote-elisabeth-grummer-ernst-kozub-gottlob-frick-erika-koth-georg-solti","title":"Mozart: Die Zauberflöte - Grümmer, Kozub, Köth, Ambrosius, Frick; Solti. Frankfurt, 1955","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis performance of \u003cem\u003eDie Zauberflöte\u003c\/em\u003e brings together a remarkable cast, distinguished by a uniquely Wagnerian grandeur. \u003cstrong\u003eErnst Kozub\u003c\/strong\u003e is an ideal Tamino, delivering a ringing, tireless tone that still maintains the elegance and clarity essential to Mozart’s writing. \u003cstrong\u003eElisabeth Grümmer\u003c\/strong\u003e’s opulent soprano shimmers as Pamina, capturing both the character’s youthful innocence and emotional depth. As Sarastro, \u003cstrong\u003eGottlob Frick\u003c\/strong\u003e luxuriates in his sumptuous legato and resonant low notes, giving the role a commanding presence. \u003cstrong\u003eErika Köth\u003c\/strong\u003e dazzles as the Queen of the Night, not only nailing the high Fs with precision but also executing the florid coloratura with razor-sharp accuracy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Mono\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 12152-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":49818623541569,"sku":"12152-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":49818623574337,"sku":"MP3 12152-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC","offer_id":49818623607105,"sku":"FLAC 12152-2","price":11.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/12152-2front.jpg?v=1751034957"},{"product_id":"beethoven-fidelio-ludwig-uhl-berry-frick-stolze-steffek-prey-herbert-von-karajan","title":"Beethoven: Fidelio - Ludwig, Uhl, Berry, Frick, Stolze, Steffek, Prey; Karajan. München, 1963","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"two-column-grid\"\u003e\n  \u003c!-- Left Column: Title, Composer, Description --\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003e\n    \u003ch1 class=\"title-header\"\u003eFidelio\u003c\/h1\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLudwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003chr\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"section-heading\"\u003eDESCRIPTION\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThis legendary performance assembles a cast of larger-than-life opera stars whose collective brilliance shapes a \u003ci\u003eFidelio\u003c\/i\u003e that is both emotionally raw and finely wrought. In the title role, \u003cstrong\u003eChrista Ludwig\u003c\/strong\u003e is utterly convincing, unleashing soaring high notes that would be the envy of many sopranos, while inviting the listener to revel in her velvety middle register. Her emotional intensity is unflinching, making her anguish in the prison scene palpably real. \u003cstrong\u003eGottlob Frick\u003c\/strong\u003e brings a warmly human presence to Rocco, and \u003cstrong\u003eWalter Berry\u003c\/strong\u003e infuses Pizarro with a sleek, menacing charm. \u003cstrong\u003eFritz Uhl\u003c\/strong\u003e may not match the magnetic force of his colleagues, but he offers a Florestan marked by admirable vocal assurance. At the podium, \u003cstrong\u003eHerbert von Karajan\u003c\/strong\u003e delivers a masterclass in dramatic pacing, drawing both clarity and urgency from Beethoven's score.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003chr class=\"mobile-only-hr\"\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- Right Column: Cast and Details --\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"section-heading\"\u003eCAST\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n      Leonore – \u003cstrong\u003eCHRISTA LUDWIG\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Florestan – \u003cstrong\u003eFRITZ UHL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Pizarro – \u003cstrong\u003eWALTER BERRY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Marzelline – \u003cstrong\u003eHANNY STEFFEK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Rocco – \u003cstrong\u003eGOTTLOB FRICK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Jacquino – \u003cstrong\u003eGERHARD STOLZE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Don Fernando – \u003cstrong\u003eHERMANN PREY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Zwei Gefängene – \u003cstrong\u003eHEINRICH WEBER\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eHANS-BRUNO ERNST\u003c\/strong\u003e\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003chr\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"section-heading\"\u003eDETAILS\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n      Location: \u003cstrong\u003eMünchen\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Date: \u003cstrong\u003eDecember 1, 1963\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Conductor: \u003cstrong\u003eHerbert von Karajan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Catalogue Number: \u003cstrong\u003eOD 12217-2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Label: \u003cstrong\u003eOpera Depot\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Number of Discs: \u003cstrong\u003e2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eIn Mono\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50345120727361,"sku":"12217-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":50345120760129,"sku":"MP3 12217-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC","offer_id":50345120792897,"sku":"FLAC 12217-2","price":11.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/12217-2front.jpg?v=1751034879"},{"product_id":"wagner-tristan-und-isolde-windgassen-ligendza-hoffman-frick-neidlinger-carlos-kleiber","title":"Wagner: Tristan und Isolde - Ligendza, Windgassen, Hoffman, Frick, Neidlinger; C. 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On the other side of the generational divide are \u003cstrong\u003eCatarina Ligendza\u003c\/strong\u003e, bringing youthful intensity and vocal freshness to the role of Isolde, and the legendary \u003cstrong\u003eCarlos Kleiber\u003c\/strong\u003e, conducting an early Tristan that already bears the unmistakable fingerprints of his genius.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThough his later performances would gain greater depth and refinement, Kleiber’s innate understanding of Wagner’s pacing is already evident here. He brings a natural, flowing energy to the score that avoids heaviness without sacrificing dramatic weight. Ligendza’s Isolde is vibrant and urgent, and Windgassen, even in his final months, retains his authority and command over one of the most grueling roles in the repertoire. Frick, as always, brings a sense of gravitas and vocal solidity to the proceedings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003chr class=\"mobile-only-hr\"\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- Right Column: Cast and Details --\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"section-heading\"\u003eCAST\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n      Isolde – \u003cstrong\u003eCATARINA LIGENDZA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Tristan – \u003cstrong\u003eWOLFGANG WINDGASSEN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Brangäne – \u003cstrong\u003eGRACE HOFFMAN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Kurwenal – \u003cstrong\u003eGUSTAV NEIDLINGER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Marke – \u003cstrong\u003eGOTTLOB FRICK\u003c\/strong\u003e\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003chr\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"section-heading\"\u003eDETAILS\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n      Location: \u003cstrong\u003eStuttgart\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Date: \u003cstrong\u003eApril 24, 1973\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Conductor: \u003cstrong\u003eCarlos Kleiber\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Catalogue Number: \u003cstrong\u003eOD 12219-3\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Label: \u003cstrong\u003eOpera Depot\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Number of Discs: \u003cstrong\u003e3\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eIn Mono\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003chr\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"section-heading\"\u003eBONUS\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eCatarina Ligendza sings the Liebestod (Bayreuth, 1976), conducted by Carlos Kleiber.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50362020462913,"sku":"12219-3","price":16.17,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":50362020495681,"sku":"MP3 12219-3","price":8.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC","offer_id":50362020528449,"sku":"FLAC 12219-3","price":10.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/12219-3front.jpg?v=1751034878"},{"product_id":"wagner-die-walkure-nilsson-rysanek-suthaus-hotter-frick-madiera-ludwig-welitsch-karajan","title":"Wagner: Die Walküre - Nilsson, Rysanek, Suthaus, Hotter, Frick, Madiera, Ludwig, Welitsch; Karajan. 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