Tristan und Isolde

Richard Wagner (1813–1883)

DESCRIPTION

The forces assembled for this performance of Tristan und Isolde are so distinguished that one scarcely knows where to begin. Erich Kleiber brings a sweeping grandeur to the score, driving the orchestra close to the limits of emotional intensity before drawing back to reveal colours more often associated with Debussy. Anny Konetzni is an Isolde of power, glamour, and delicacy, scaling the heights of dramatic expression with fearless commitment, even if the uppermost reaches of the voice can at times sound somewhat tentative.

Max Lorenz is a dashing Tristan, matching Konetzni in intensity and occasionally pressing beyond it, to the point where the line begins to distort in pitch and take on something of a Wagnerian sprechstimme. (One may wonder whether this serves, in part, to disguise a certain lack of complete security with the Wagner's meandering harmonies.) The remainder of the cast, including Karen Branzell as Brangäne, Herbert Janssen as Kurwenal, and Emanuel List as Marke, supports the central pair with admirable security.

CAST

Isolde – ANNY KONETZNI
Tristan – MAX LORENZ
Brangäne – KAREN BRANZELL
Kurwenal – HERBERT JANSSEN
König Marke – EMANUEL LIST
Melot – HERMANN WIEDEMANN
Hirte – VICTOR BACIATO
Seemann – KOLOMAN VON PATAKY

DETAILS

Location: Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires
Date: September 18, 1938
Conductor: Erich Kleiber
Catalogue Number: OD 12348-3
Label: Opera Depot
Number of Discs: 3
In Mono

NOTE

The sound of this performance reflects the limitations of recording technology from the 1930s.