Here are the items that we found.
Jenůfa
Hearing Astrid Varnay as Kostelnicka in Jenufa, it becomes clear why Janacek's intended title of the opera was "Her Stepmother." Although past her vocal prime, Varnay does not let that stop her from delivering a gripping performance, creating a character that manages to be both monster and saint at the same time. Sena Jurinac is near perfect as Jenufa. The cast even features a young Edita Gruberova as Jano.
Track List
Act I
Tracks 1 - 8
Act II
Tracks 9 - 16
Act III
Tracks 17 - 22
Customer Reviews
Share your experience with fellow collectors
Share Your Experience
A star rating alone is welcome, and reviews may be written in any language.
4.7
Based on 3 reviews
✓ Verified Buyer
United States
✓ Top Reviewer
United States
Great Performance, Mediocre Sound!
This is a blazing performance of Jenufa (sung in German) with the four leads at the top of their form and an excellent supporting cast. Jurinac sings a wrenching, beautiful Jenufa and Varnay a harrowing Kostelnicka. By 1972 Vanay's voice may not have had the tonal solidity it had a decade earlier, but she shirks nothing in the vocal line, belting out some exciting high notes. Cochran and Cox are different from each other vocally enough that one can follow the plot. The very young Gruberova is heard as the boy Jano. Janos Kulka leads an intense, quick-moving performance that allows the first two acts to be squeezed onto the first disc without a break.The sound is a bit of an issue. The voices can be heard, but are often rather recessed so that despite the fact this is sung in German I could only make out a few words of the translation (similar to what happens in some of the ENO non-broadcast recordings). At least the tapist sat still so the sound levels are consistent. Fans of the singers or of the opera should get this, but those looking for a first time recommendation should look elsewhere.
Report
✓ Verified Buyer
Austria
