Strauss

Der Rosenkavalier

Jones, Fassbaender, Popp, Ridderbusch; C. Kleiber
München, 1972

Regular price $26.95
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Der Rosenkavalier

In 1979, Carlos Kleiber would reassemble this cast in Vienna and create a now legendary video. This earlier performance finds the trio of leading ladies in slightly fresher voice, lending the entire evening a youthful energy that wasn't as present in the later film. Gwyneth Jones is mesmerizing as the Marschallin, conveying all the nuances of the text with care. Her musical partnership with Kleiber results in moments of breathtaking spontaneity and intimacy. Brigitte Fassbaender, Kleiber's Octavian of choice for decades, brings a conversational quality to the text while never sacrificing the lushness of her voice. Lucia Popp weaves magic into Sophie's soaring lines, delivering a performance of radiant charm. The only complaint one might make about Karl Ridderbusch's Ochs is that his voice is almost too elegant for such a boorish character—but it's a small quibble in an otherwise glorious evening.

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5.0 Based on 4 reviews
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K G.✓ Verified Buyer

United Kingdom

Overall rating

Superlative singing

A splendid performance crowned by superlative singing from Jones, Fassbaender and Popp and dynamic conducting from Kleiber. Loved it.
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Pauline A.✓ Verified Buyer

United Kingdom

Overall rating

Brilliant Live Recording

The audio is very clear. The process of downloading aspas very easy.
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Markus R.✓ Verified Buyer

Switzerland

Overall rating

A perfect Rosenkavalier

Who could conduct this work better than divine Carlos Kleiber?!And when Gwyneth Jones is with him, I am simply in heaven because her then wonderful voice goes perfectly with Kleiber - as well as the also absolutely outstanding Fassbaender and Popp. I also love Ridderbush with his beautiful voice very much. Finally one who sings that role!
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David R.✓ Top Reviewer

United States

Overall rating

Wonderful Rosenkavalier in Excellent Sound!

These were the first performances that Gwyneth Jones gave of the Marschallin. The bearing, the nuances, the control are all impeccable. The fact that Jones is a fluent German speaker is also a factor in her success. Yes, she would find deeper colors with more performances and experience, yet she is already extremely satisfying and in her freshest voice to boot.Fassbaender and Popp were renowned for their singing of these roles and one understands why here. I don't know that anyone floats the "Wie himmlische, nicht irdische" phrase in the Presentation of the Rose like Popp does. And Fassbaender fully embodies Oktavian's youthful strutting and vulnerability: two classic portrayals. Riddersbusch sings Ochs so well that I won't complain about anything. He has the full range for the role and actually sounds sexy sometimes. He is, perhaps, too gentlemanly, but that's a matter of taste. The supporting cast is made up of terrific München regulars. I'll only point out Margarethe Bence as Annina, David Thaw as Valzacchi, Albrecht Peter as the Police Commissioner, and Lorenz Fehenberger as the Innkeeper, still able to knock out a great high B-flat in Act Three. Kleiber was a master of this score. The way the orchestra bubbles along under his direction is thrilling.The sound is from a very good broadcast source with only a few minor glitches. The transfer levels can be a little inconsistent so keep your volume remote handy. All Rosenkavalier nuts should have this.
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