Listen to a Sample:
Pros:
- Hearing the original version of Fidelio is a fascinating glimpse into Beethoven's compositional technique as well as a lesson in dramatic pacing. Although there are some beautiful numbers that Beethoven deleted for the final version, you can see how they distort the flow of the drama.
- Hilde Zadek is radiant as Leonore.
- Despite being on the lighter end of the vocal spectrum, Anton Dermota delivers a poised Florestan (and benefits from the kinder tessitura of Beethoven's earlier version.)
- Paul Schöffler is a formidable Pizzaro.
Cons:
- Nothing to mention
In Mono
OD 11551-2