{"product_id":"beethoven-fidelio-ludwig-king-berry-crass-mathis-bohm","title":"Beethoven: Fidelio - Ludwig, King, Berry, Crass, Mathis; Böhm. Salzburg, 1968","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\u003eIt is difficult to imagine a more distinguished line-up for a performance of \u003ci\u003eFidelio\u003c\/i\u003e. In the 1960s, \u003cb\u003eChrista Ludwig\u003c\/b\u003e had begun to explore soprano roles, and Leonora occasionally presses against the limits of her otherwise secure technique. Yet she approaches the role with notable commitment, embracing its demands with a sense of dramatic urgency that compensates for any vocal tension.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eJames King\u003c\/b\u003e’s Florestan emerges as a figure of striking intensity, his portrayal suffused with a visceral sense of suffering that rarely relents. At the same time, the inherent beauty of his baritonal tenor remains intact, lending the characterization both weight and lyricism. \u003cb\u003eWalter Berry\u003c\/b\u003e, as Pizarro, offers a more refined interpretation than one might expect; if anything, the performance risks an excess of elegance. Still, this approach finds its justification in the character’s political bearing, suggesting a cultivated exterior that masks underlying brutality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFranz Crass\u003c\/b\u003e lends Rocco a grounded sense of dignity, shaping the role with an unforced nobility that underscores its humane qualities. In the pit, \u003cb\u003eHerbert von Karajan\u003c\/b\u003e maintains a firm, forward momentum, bringing a persistent drive to the score while preserving its classical proportions and structural clarity.\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\u003eJAMES KING\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Rocco – \u003cstrong\u003eFRANZ CRASS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Marzelline – \u003cstrong\u003eEDITH MATHIS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Jaquino – \u003cstrong\u003eDONALD GROBE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Don Fernando – \u003cstrong\u003eHANS HOTTER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      First Prisoner – \u003cstrong\u003eKURT MALM\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Second Prisoner – \u003cstrong\u003eKLAUS HIRTEL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003chr\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"section-heading\"\u003eDETAILS\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n      Location: \u003cstrong\u003eSalzburg Festival\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Date: \u003cstrong\u003e1968\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Conductor: \u003cstrong\u003eKarl Böhm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Catalogue Number: \u003cstrong\u003eOD 12357-2\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":51580859875649,"sku":"12357-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":51580859908417,"sku":"MP3 12357-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC","offer_id":51580859941185,"sku":"FLAC 12357-2","price":11.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC UPGRADE","offer_id":52080106438977,"sku":"FLACUP 12357-2","price":2.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/12357-2front.jpg?v=1775529912","url":"https:\/\/operadepot.com\/products\/beethoven-fidelio-ludwig-king-berry-crass-mathis-bohm","provider":"Opera Depot","version":"1.0","type":"link"}