Beethoven: Fidelio - H. Konetzni, Friederich, Schwarzkopf, Schöffler, Weber; Kraus. London, 1947
$16.95
Description:
This performance of Fidelio from 1947 must have had extra significance for Britons just emerging from the devastation of World War II. What is doubly significant is that the cast of excellent singers is largely German. It is hard to imagine the emotions of that evening having not lived through war, but what is certain is that they got a performance that was nothing short of first rate. As Leonore, Hilde Konetzni’s silver soprano radiates all of the character’s hope and determination, soaring over the orchestra with the ease of a Mozartian and the power of a Wagnerian. Elisabeth Schwarzkopf stands out as a winsome Marcellina and Paul Schöffler’ Pizzaro is both terrifying and strangely alluring. Clemens Kraus leads a crisp performance. The sound is as you would expect of the era and there is some music missing from the Act I finale.
In Mono
OD 11405-2
Listen to a Sample:
Excellent Performance in Good Sound!
This performance was given by the Vienna State Opera during the same visit the classic Salome with Maria Cebotari was performed (OD #11964). Krauss had the unique ability to inspire his musical forces. Hilde Konetzni began her career long before WWII began (she was the sister of Anny Konetzni) and her lyric instrument, while still beautiful, was showing some signs of wear-and-tear. The high Bs of "Abscheulicher!" don't come easily to her (she flats the first one and just manages to goose the penultimate one up to pitch). What Konetzni offers instead is a warmth of spirit and humanity: listen to her defence of Florestan or her movingly uttered "Nichts, nichts, mein Florestan!" a few moments later. It's easy to hear why she was a favorite of Furtwängler and other conductors. Karl Friedrich was an excellent musician who primarily sang in Europe. His Florestan is beautifully sung with easy high B-flats and a sense of nobility not often heard. Weber sings very well with a genial sense of humor in the Gold aria. His cry of relief at the arrival of Don Fernando is startling in its vehemence. Schöffler is a frightening, sexy Pizarro. Schwarzkopf and Klein are terrific as the secondary couple. A pity we're not told who the two Prisoners or Don Fernando are. The basic sound is good. In addition to the incomplete Act One finale, the orchestral introduction to Act Two is missing; the music picks up shortly before Florestan's entrance. Leonore #3 is not played in the second act.
Martin Ramor
This is a very good recording of Fidelio. Ludwig Weber is great Rocco, full of empathy, with rich and beautiful basso. Hilde Konetzni sing well as Leonora. She has beautiful tone with great sense for drama. Karl Friederich, who is a rarity on CDs, is excellent Florestan. His great aria from the second act is full of emotions and suffering. Schoeffler is very good Pizarro. Klein and Schwarzkopf are both lovely in their roles. Conducting, orchestra and chorus are wonderful as they should be.
