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Tristan und Isolde
Today, the notion of a singer in their twenties tackling Wagner might seem implausible, yet in the composer’s own time, it was far from extraordinary. Ludwig Schnorr von Carolsfeld was only 28 when he created the role of Tristan, and Mathilde Mallinger just 21 when she sang the first Eva in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. Into this lineage steps Anja Silja, who assumes the role of Isolde at the age of 25 and emerges with a performance of remarkable assurance. From the outset of Act I, she meets the demands of Wagner’s formidable orchestration head-on, displaying an intensity often associated with far more seasoned interpreters. Impressively, this fervor does not come at the expense of the opera’s more intimate moments—she handles the love duet, for instance, with a sensitivity that belies her years. If there is a flaw, it lies in occasional lapses of pitch, a technical issue she would later overcome as her voice matured.
Hans Beirer, a seasoned veteran nearly three decades Silja’s senior, joins her as Tristan. Despite the age gap, he manages to project a persuasive sense of youthful ardor. Kerstin Meyer contributes with a mezzo of striking beauty in the role of Brangäne, while Martti Talvela brings gravity and expressive warmth to König Marke’s monologue. Though the performance is subject to several cuts, André Cluytens ensures the musical and dramatic fabric remains finely wrought.
Track List
Act I
1. Vorspiel
2. Westwärts schweift der Blick
3. Mir erkoren, mir verloren
4. Hab acht, Tristan! Botschaft von Isolde.
5. Weh, ach wehe! Dies zu dulden!
6. Wie lachend sie mir Lieder singen
7. Welcher Wahn! Welch eitles Zürnen!
8. Auf! Auf! Ihr Frauen!
9. Begehrt, Herrin, was Ihr wünscht.
10. Los den Anker! Das Steuer dem Strom!
11. Tristan!... Isolde!... Treuloser Holder!
2. Westwärts schweift der Blick
3. Mir erkoren, mir verloren
4. Hab acht, Tristan! Botschaft von Isolde.
5. Weh, ach wehe! Dies zu dulden!
6. Wie lachend sie mir Lieder singen
7. Welcher Wahn! Welch eitles Zürnen!
8. Auf! Auf! Ihr Frauen!
9. Begehrt, Herrin, was Ihr wünscht.
10. Los den Anker! Das Steuer dem Strom!
11. Tristan!... Isolde!... Treuloser Holder!
Act II
12. Vorspiel
13. Hörst du sie noch? Mir schwand schon fern der Klang.
14. Dein Werk? O tör'ge Magd!
15. Isolde!... Tristan!... Geliebter!
16. O sink hernieder, Nacht der Liebe
17. Einsam wachend in der Nacht
18. Lausch, Geliebter!
13. Hörst du sie noch? Mir schwand schon fern der Klang.
14. Dein Werk? O tör'ge Magd!
15. Isolde!... Tristan!... Geliebter!
16. O sink hernieder, Nacht der Liebe
17. Einsam wachend in der Nacht
18. Lausch, Geliebter!
19. Tatest du's wirklich?
20. O König, das kann ich dir nicht sagen
21. Verräter! Ha! Zur Rache, König!
20. O König, das kann ich dir nicht sagen
21. Verräter! Ha! Zur Rache, König!
Act III
22. Vorspiel
23. Kurwenal! He! Sag, Kurwenal!
24. Die alte Weise; was weckt sie mich?
25. Dünkt dich das? Ich weiss es anders
26. Isolde kommt! Isolde naht!
27. Und drauf Isolde, wie sie winkt
28. O Wonne! Freude!
29. O diese Sonne!
30. Ha! Ich bin's, ich bin's, süssester Freund!
31. Tot denn alles! Alles tot!
32. Mild und leise
23. Kurwenal! He! Sag, Kurwenal!
24. Die alte Weise; was weckt sie mich?
25. Dünkt dich das? Ich weiss es anders
26. Isolde kommt! Isolde naht!
27. Und drauf Isolde, wie sie winkt
28. O Wonne! Freude!
29. O diese Sonne!
30. Ha! Ich bin's, ich bin's, süssester Freund!
31. Tot denn alles! Alles tot!
32. Mild und leise
BONUS
33. Mild und leise (Tristan und Isolde)
34. Starke Scheite schichtet mir dort (Götterdämmerung)
34. Starke Scheite schichtet mir dort (Götterdämmerung)
Customer Reviews
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4.7
Based on 3 reviews
✓ Top Reviewer
United States
Excellent Performance in Very Good Sound!
Fans of Anja Silja know she began her career very early (16); she was all of 25 when she sang this performance for RAI. Not everything is settled: there are a few minor musical mistakes and few would call Silja's tone beautiful. It doesn't matter. From the first word to the last she is completely involved; the stakes are at their highest for both protagonists. Her singing is extremely musical and accomplished, the top notes bold and impetuous, the middle sinuous, the text of paramount importance. She did not sung Isolde often so this is a real find.Beirer is a strong, reliable Tristan who gets off some ringing high notes, especially in the third act. Cluytens indulges him in some huge cuts in Act Three (he also makes the traditional cut in the love duet and cuts most of Isolde's "Ich bins!" after Tristan's death). Nevertheless Cluytens leads persuasively with power and a keen sense of how to pace this opera. Neidlinger is a tender, loving Kurwenal and Meyer a tender, loving Brangäne whose Watch in Act Two is beautifully sung (she also lets out a frightening scream at the end of the love duet as Wagner requested). Talvela sings Marke's monologue with true distinction and former heldentenor Treptow is an unusually aggressive Melot. The rest of the cast is very good; a pity they're not listed.The sound is excellent, a few minor editing errors aside. Cluytens' tempi are so swift there's room at the end for Silja in more Wagner.All Silja fans should have this!
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✓ Top Reviewer
Slovenia
Martin Ramor
It is a nice recording. Silja is shouting sometimes a bit, but she is very young and for thar reason special and very moving, indeed. I liked all others and orchestra and conducting.
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✓ Verified Buyer
Alex
i have the oportunity to see anja silja many times…in special in janacek’s creations touch me emotionally…I agreed with she is a great artist…she merits being with the greats…thanks…
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