Strauss

Die Frau ohne Schatten

Rysanek, Schröder-Feinen, King, Berry, Hesse; Böhm
Salzburg, 1975

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Die Frau ohne Schatten

This performance reunites much of the original cast from the Metropolitan Opera's inaugural season in its new home, capturing a sense of continuity and occasion. Leonie Rysanek, though now more selective with the highest reaches of her soprano, still commands the role of the Kaiserin with unmistakable flair. Her distinctive timbre and fearless phrasing remind us why she became one of the great Straussians of her time.

James King seems to revel in the upper reaches of the Emperor's music, his tenor radiant and unstrained. Ursula Schröder-Feinen, while beginning to show signs of vocal fatigue, manages a committed and often moving portrayal of the Färberin. Walter Berry brings refinement and gravitas to Barak, his baritone smooth and authoritative throughout.

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5.0 Based on 3 reviews
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Bertrand S.✓ Top Reviewer

France

Overall rating

La nouvelle dans l'équipe

Böhm toujours incomparable champion de cette oeuvre qu'il a tant défendu . A son équipe fétiche de ses dix dernières années se joint, après que Christa Ludwig ait laissé la Teinturière, Schröder Feinen comète alors encore au sommet de ses considérables moyens dans une incarnation d'une sauvagerie stupéfiante puis d'une tendresse éperdue .
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David R.✓ Top Reviewer

United States

Overall rating

Terrific Performance in Great Sound!

Preserved in excellent stereo sound (albeit with a few brief radio crackles in the second act), this performance of one of Strauss' most complicated operas is splendid. Rysanek is in very good voice, steadier than it was even a few years earlier. She skips the lightning quick top D in her opening aria, but so what? The rest of the high notes are all there in blazing color. Moreover she brings the Empress to life in a way that few other singers have. Schroder-Feinen matches her every inch of the way. What a pity her prime did not last longer! She was truly a gifted singer.King is in blazing form. He had a great top C though I'm not sure I hear it at the end of the quartet, so loud are his leading ladies. he may have just figured on saving it since no one was going to hear him anyway. At any rate, he is the king of Emperors; it's no wonder Bohm admired him so much in this role. Berry is compassion itself and Hesse sings the devilish role of the Nurse extremely well with a huge top B-flat at the end of the second act. The supporting cast is first-rate as is the orchestra. Bohm makes his usual cuts which will annoy Frau fans, but I find they tighten things up and make the opera less sprawling.Frau fans should hear this, not to mention admirers of the singers - a classic night at the Salzburg Festival!
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Reinhold F.✓ Verified Buyer

Germany

Overall rating

Awesome

This is a great document of a legendary performance! I bought this recording especially for Ursula Schröder-Feinen, who gives an overwhelming Färberin.Rysanek (at the end of act 3 a little bit tired), Hesse and Berry are all the way outstanding! The smaller roles are done very well, worthy of a festival like Salzburg. Böhm conducts in his unique way the wonderful Vienna Philharmonics.The sound is excellent!
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