Search - Richard [1] Strauss, Donald Runnicles, Alessandra Marc :: Richard Strauss: Ein Heldenleben; Closing Scene from Salome

A rousing, trimmed-down Heldenleben, from an underrated Runn

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 02/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The veteran Scottish conductor Donald Runnicles has hidden hs light in the opera pit for many years, but he can be a superb orchestral conductor, as witness this exciting Ein Heldenleben, now at mid-price. Strauss was himself a no-nonsense conductor of his works, and by trimming about 5 min. from the standard timing of Heldenleben, Runnicles harks back to Strauss's original conception. The fast pace is exhilirating, but Runnicles knows how to be expressive in the slower sections. Five stars, including for the NDR ocrchestra, which plays like a big-league ensemble.



Alessandra Marc has a huge, glorious Strauss voice that is more even in tone than Deborah Voigt's, though it isn't as thrilling on top. She's a bit phlegmatic in temperament a la Caballe, but here in Salome's final scene, with such excellent close-up sonics and Runnicles' knowing accompaniment, the result is a pleasure to hear. Four stars, a star shy of the best versions because Marc misses the depraved eroticism of the character.."