Debussy

Pelléas et Mélisande

Schwarzkopf, Haefliger, Roux, Petri, Sciutti, Calabrese; Karajan
Roma, 1954

Regular price $17.95
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Pelléas et Mélisande

For a cast largely composed of non-French speakers, this performance manages to evoke the distinctive flavor of Debussy's quintessentially French sound world. Elisabeth Schwarzkopf captures the enigmatic nature and subdued passion of Mélisande with captivating nuance. Ernst Haefliger may not get to fully display his superb tenor due to the role's baritonal range, but his commitment is evident, and the tonal contrast with Michel Roux as Golaud adds dimension to their onstage rivalry. Though the role of Yniold is typically sung by a boy, Graziella Sciutti delivers it with such skill that it feels entirely right. At the helm, Herbert von Karajan draws out the romantic richness of Debussy's lush orchestration.

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5.0 Based on 2 reviews
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David R.✓ Top Reviewer

United States

Overall rating

Karajan's Earliest Recording of Pelleas is a Beauty!

Karajan had a love affair with French music and his admiration for Debussy resulted in some incredibly lovely recordings of his only opera. His 1954 RAI performance is remarkable for its pacing and passion. His cast is terrific. Schwarzkopf and Haefliger did not sing these roles often (maybe not at all after this recording) and they bring strength and imagination to their portrayals. Roux was already well-known for his Golaud; as a native French speaker he has an advantage that he shares with Gayraud who sings Genevieve. Petri sings Arkel with strong, steady tone. The sound is excellent. Karajan performed several unusual operas for RAI about this time, including Italian language recordings of Die Zauberflöte and Hänsel und Gretel, both with first-rate casts. The Zauberflöte is already available from Opera Depot; perhaps Andy will release the Hänsel with Jurinac and Schwarzkopf soon.If you love Pelleas et Melisande, you should get this!
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Andre P.✓ Verified Buyer

Canada

Overall rating

A Pelleas that ought to be heard

This performance us almost as magical as Karajan's own studio performance years later. The cast is wonderful with a surprising detour in repertoire for Elisabeth Schwarzkopf who turns in performance with the purity of the beautiful Suzanne Danco Mélisande.
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