Description:

I was completely unfamiliar with this opera, aside from the soprano aria "Ich weiß nicht, wer mein Vater war," and had no idea what to expect. After listening to it with the libretto in hand, I realized that no expectations could have prepared me for such a unique and enigmatic work. Written in 1903, the opera is fascinating in its ability to bridge the 19th and 20th centuries. Its composition weaves together Wagnerian sweeping romanticism, hints of Straussian expressionism, and touches of Italian verismo.

The story revolves around a disgraced woman, Marta, who ultimately finds redemption through the man she loves. However, Marta is far from a stereotypical 19th century female martyr. The libretto is strikingly explicit about the indignities she endured, growing up with a blind mother who "never knew who the father was." What initially seems like a romantic-era pastorale gradually evolves into something closer to 20th century expressionism.

This performance is exceptional. By 1964, Astrid Varnay was already nearing the end of her "soprano era", but Marta remained well within her range. She delivers a deeply moving portrayal of Marta’s inner torment and self-loathing. Hans Hopf is in excellent form. The lyrical nature of the role suits him perfectly, and the pitch issues that plagued some of his other performances are absent here. The sound quality is very good.

OD 10605-2