Plenty of good reasons to buy
NPW | Paris France | 10/08/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This "other" recording of Di tote Stadt has quite a lot going for it. A definite live (Swedish Royal Opera 1996), it has some of the flaws live recording can bring - occasional stage or audience noise, very occasional lack of coordination between pit and stage (or the offstage children's choir). And maybe tenor Sunnergardh shows the strain more than Kollo with Leinsdorf, although Kollo himself is not exempt in this punishing role. But the Naxos set has advantages too. While the RCA sound is indeed lush, the Naxos recording brings out more detail, both of harmony and orchestration, drawing the work closer to the Schoenberg of the Gurrelieder and to Zemlinsky than to Richard Strauss. The live performance has more drama, is closer to the stage than to oratorio, and the characters therefore are more human, more engaging. So those who already have the RCA set should buy this to compare; and those who don't know the work can safely spend a very small sum of money to start with this bargain box."
Wonderously exciting!
BDSinC | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | 09/29/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Until this recording came out, I knew very little about this opera. I knew the plot, and I was familiar with only one "aria" from it recorded by Leontyne Price. Well, what a joy to hear the complete work. It is a 20th century opera but one of such beauty, one that is a joy to listen to without having to do a million hours of preparation to figure out the intended musical conception. One is not forced to listen to strained singing, barking, speech-singing, or any of those less than lovely sounds often associated with modern 20th century opera. It grabs you instantly.
NAXOS, to me, is far more successful in their sound reproduction in live performances than in their studio recordings. Their balance of singer and orchestra is incredible, but without sacrificing the subtle nuances of the orchestra by having the singers recorded too closely. I have always loved the energy of live performances, and this only adds to this opera. All the singers are excellent, as is the orchestra, the conducting, and the production itself. The Stockholm opera has done a masterful job of presenting this work.
And for an aside, the great "Marietta's Lied: Gluck, das mir verblied" recorded so awesomely by Leontyne Price is in reality a duet! And how wonderfully it is performed here, and those soaring lines we so often feel fit the soprano so well are actually sung by the tenor, and they still take your breath away.
The opera was beautifully written and here beautifully performed. Such a work really is a treat to hear, and I am sure a treat to witness (sadly, I have never seen this opera).
One won't go wrong buying this opera, especially if you are just coming to 20th century operas. This one has enough of the "old lyrical way of doing things" to please you instantly, and enough of the "new way of doing things" so you don't think you are listening to a very old opera but something quite new and exciting.
All around excellent recording"
Absolutely one of my top 10 discs ever!
Mr. DAVID Geer | Sydney Australia | 10/11/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is just wonderful - I think it much better than the Leinsdorf set so beloved by USA reviewers! Its a live performance and uses electronic enhancement but wow, its atmospheric and yet true to the composers intent, at least it certainly seems that way. Can't rank this highly enough and if you like late romantic music then Korngold was the master - I also love his chamber works and violin sonata, which are also late romantic often complex pieces......check them out also and buy one with the money you save on this better than usual Naxos set (sound is Swedish Radio I think not Naxos cheap miking and hence there is adequate low frequency to shake the room where necessary - needs good hi fi to bring the house down!)
Greeting from Sydney, Australia - David"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1