Search - Leonie Rysanek, James King :: Gala Concert

A great CD for collectors!

dwilliams729 | Boston, Massachusetts United States | 05/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great release of a 1974 concert by Leonie Rysanek and James King. There is some sharping from Ms. Rysanek, but the voice itself is in good form. James King is a heroic and ringing Cavaradossi in their Act I duet from TOSCA, and is in good vocal form for the whole concert. The rarities captured on this live 2-disc set are Rysanek's arias from ARIADNE AUF NAXOS and TOSCA and James King's aria from TOSCA and the prayer from RIENZI (which he sings beautifully), his PAGLIACCI aria, Rysanek's "Suicidio" from LA GIOCONDA, and "Dich, teure Halle" from TANNHÄUSER. The evening ends with a great performance of the Act 1, Scene 3 duet from DIE WALKÜRE which these two were famous for singing together. As well as accompanying these great singers, there is some good playing by the Munich Radio Symphony in orchestral excerpts from Ponchielli's LA GIOCONDA, Strauss' INTERMEZZO and Siegfried's Rhine Journey from GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG. I would encourage all collectors to try this one as it's relatively hard to find."