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Manon Lescaut
This German-language Manon Lescaut assembles an excellent cast of male singers but falls short in the casting of the title role. Hilde Vadura possesses a sweet enough voice, but it is ultimately too thin for Puccini's lush score. At no point is she vocally insecure—she simply never quite hits the emotional or dramatic mark. The good news is that the men more than make up for it.
Waldemar Kmentt delivers an ardent performance as Des Grieux, never flinching at the daunting demands of the role and even interpolating an extra high note after his big scene in Act III. Eberhard Wächter as Lescaut is luxury casting, as is Walter Berry as Geronte., though there are some cuts, including a rather jarring one in Manon's Act IV aria.
Track List
Act I
Tracks 1 - 7
Act II
Tracks 8 - 14
Act III
Tracks 15 - 19
Act IV
Tracks 20 - 22
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4.5
Based on 2 reviews
✓ Top Reviewer
United States
Frank Leto
very interesting performance. loved kmentt and vadura. in german, but that not a problem.
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✓ Top Reviewer
Australia
John Stanton
The Manon in this recording, Hilde Vadura's contribution here is not at the same level as her male colleagues. She sounds appropriately girlish, and she sings with secure technique, but the tone is unvaried and her Manon sounds a little as though she's just come off the set of The White Horse Inn.Waldemar Kmentt, the De Grieux, sings with dramatic force and sweetness when required,in a particularly idiomatic performance.Eberrhard Wachter is fine as Lescaut, sounding here rather like a heldentenor taking it easy, and Walter Berry is a resonant Geronte.The sound is excellent.
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