Georg Solti, Wiener Philharmoniker - Richard Strauss: Arabella (2008/1977)

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Georg Solti, Wiener Philharmoniker - Richard Strauss: Arabella (2008/1977)

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Decca has released an elegant performance of Strauss's Arabella, Sir George Solti's second commercial recording of the work. The first is the 1957 version which is rightfully famous, with a cast headed by Lisa Della Cassa, Hilde Gueden and George London, with the Vienna Philharmonic. There also is a performance from the 1958 Salzburg Festival with Gueden and London, long discontinued. Now we have this magnificent 1977 Unitel film directed with the greatest sensitivity by Otto Schenk who always has the camera in the right place. The performance is superb in every way. Gundula Janowitz specialized in this role, and although she is a bit matronly, vocally she is unmatched. Sona Ghazarian's Zdenka is equally fine, and their first-act duet is memorable. Bernd Weikl's Mandryka is perfect, and we have a very young-looking René Kollo as Matteo. Edita Gruberova is quite spectacular as Fiakermilli and tosses off those high notes with the greatest of ease. Audio quality is outstanding for the era and, with only a few exceptions, one cannot tell the sound track was pre-recorded. Perhaps the great asset this production has is Solti's total understanding of this score—the lush Straussian sonorities he coaxes from the Vienna Philharmonic are a pleasure to hear. Here's another essential DVD for opera lovers.

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Georg Solti, Wiener Philharmoniker - Richard Strauss: Arabella (2008/1977)

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Georg Solti, Wiener Philharmoniker - Richard Strauss: Arabella (2008/1977)

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Georg Solti, Wiener Philharmoniker - Richard Strauss: Arabella (2008/1977)

Close

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Georg Solti, Wiener Philharmoniker - Richard Strauss: Arabella (2008/1977)

Close