Wagner: Tristan und Isolde - Silja, Berier, Meyer, Neidlinger, Talvela; Cluytens. Rai Roma, 1966
$7.77
Listen to a Sample:
Some of you may have been able to deduce from the catalog that I am and admirer of Anja Silja. Needless to say I was very excited to find this recording of her singing Isolde while still in her early twenties! Hers may not be the greatest of Isoldes but she deserves her place in the ranks. Her voice has a wonderful youth and she brings frailty to the role. Her confrontation scene with Tristan in Act I is very tense. The real revelation is André Cluytens conducting. He is very sensitive and at times idiosyncratic but always musical. Brangäne's warning is the fastest I have ever heard it done. It gives it a lullaby feeling and I imagine that Kerstin Meyer was grateful. Hans Beirer is heroic although sometimes a little under pitch. Martti Talvela is wonderful icing on the cake as Marke. Lovers of this opera will appreciate this unique performance. The sound is good.
BONUS: Anja Silja sings the Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde and the Immolation Scene from Götterdämmerung
OD 10243-3
