Search - Richard Strauss, Joseph Keiberth, Leonie Rysanek :: Richard Strauss: Die Ägyptische Helena

Why hasn't this been recorded more?

Daniel Mitrano | Ft. Lauderdale, FL | 12/03/1999

(2 out of 5 stars)

"The good--Rysanek gives us a reason to sweep all doubt aside as to her greatness (if there were any doubt). She is in glowing, youthful voice that has evenness and golden tone in all three registers. Moreover, she commands the role musically, interpretively, and vocally in a way that would have even made Callas stand and applaud. She IS Helen in vocal stature at least. This is possibly her best recording. Fortunately, she has an ardent, competent cast, conductor, chorus and orchestra at her disposal here. Bernt Aldenhoff, sadly neglected on recording, has a vocal quality like a combination of Jon Vickers and James King, and sings intelligently and excitingly as Meneleus. Keilberth obviously knows what he's doing with Strauss' score--a mix of Elektra and Die Frau Ohne Schatten--which shows it at as Strass for Strauss-lovers. The bad--one wonders why this wasn't made as a studio recording where the orchestral and vocal balances weren't as randomly produced as in this live recording, which is sometimes dim, tinny, and unable to fully capture the musical and vocal generosity. The ugly--it's a great opera which leaves the listener jaw-droppingly pondering why didn't Nilsson, Price, Marton, or Borkh record (or even attempt) the part. If they did, there should be adequate documentation of it. We desperately need the reissue of the Gwyneth Jones recording or a new studio recording (with Voigt, Polaski, or Marc?)"

Great mono sound! Great performance.

gypsychorus | MA, USA | 01/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While this is not digital surround sound, it is considered excellent mono sound. It is as good as Furtwangler's Tristan & Isolde with Flagstad on EMI. Don't be misled by some digital sound guy. This is perfectly great mono sound. And a great performance that Straussian must hear."