Strauss

Der Rosenkavalier

Grümmer, Meyer, Otto, Greindl; Varviso
Berlin, 1959

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Der Rosenkavalier

Kerstin Meyer brings her silvery mezzo and expressive clarity to the role of Octavian, capturing both the impetuousness and charm of Strauss's young nobleman. Her voice fits the part effortlessly, balancing lyrical finesse with youthful energy.

Elisabeth Grümmer offers a Marschallin of unusual freshness and poise. Her portrayal skews more youthful than most, which adds a compelling layer of credibility to her romantic entanglement with Octavian—making the character's emotional journey all the more affecting.

Josef Greindl manages to bring a touch of nobility to Baron Ochs without losing the comic edge, giving the character more dimension than usual. His bass is rich and well-grounded, lending weight to the buffoonery.

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4.5 Based on 2 reviews
5 ★ 1
4 ★ 1
3 ★ 0
2 ★ 0
1 ★ 0
David R.✓ Top Reviewer

United States

Overall rating

Great Performance in Good Sound!

This performance used to be on the Gala label. The sound was good there too, but Andy has now pitched it correctly and it sounds even better. Grummer sings a really beautiful Marschallin without overdoing the word pointing. She launches the final trio with an exquisite B-flat and then matches Otto high B for high B in the concluding measures. A pity her "Gar nix" just before the trio begins is missing from the original tape. Meyer has no trouble with Octavian's high tessitura and blends beautifully with Otto's shining Sophie in their duets. Greindl has no troubles with Ochs' tremendous vocal range (from an optional G# all the way down to an optional low C). He is a funny and yet more formidable Ochs than we normally hear. The supporting cast is terrific. I should point out that Martin Vantin is the Valzacchi, not Helmut Krebs doing double duty as listed above. Varviso leads an excellent performance though one with a distinct air of Berlin rather than Vienna about it.If you have the Gala issue, you probably don't need this, but if you like this recording as I do, get Opera Depot's version: it's that much better!
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Theodore S.✓ Top Reviewer

United States

Overall rating

The great personality in the cast is....

(I used to own this on CD.)OK, FULL DISCLOSURE: I ADORE Josef Greindl, he is my very favorite bass in all of recorded history. BUT, to my ear he sounds wrong in this performance of DER ROSENKAVALIER, un-funny and detached, like he's singing because he has to, not because he wants to. Also, Eliz Grummer sounds old and shrill. The Marschallin is supposed to be a MILF; Grummer sounds like a GILF.So, you ask, why do I give this performance four stars? Two words: LISA OTTO.Lisa Otto is gorgeous, silky, sweet, ultra-musical, young-sounding, and pure as Sophie. She's just unbelievable.Buy this performance just for Lisa Otto!!!
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