More! More! Still more Strauss operettas to go!
Brett Farrell | Cape May, NJ USA | 06/29/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the second complete recording of a forgotten Strauss II operetta gem to date on the Naxos label and I hope all good things really do come in three's. In the accompanying book (which is a brief history and synopsis in both German and English) it says that the works of Strauss are not just sparkling melodies strung together and that is true but how they do sparkle, everyone like the clearest diamond. They also mention Strauss's inability to choose worthy librettos but as I do not speak German this is not a problem for me. No poor word choices can get in my way of enjoying this piece.
Furstin Ninetta is another Strauss operetta that takes place in Italy and it has a quasi complicated comedic plot that involves the princess Ninetta masquerading as a man and the couple who wish to wed but are prevented because they're step siblings. Many a comic misstep takes place, Ninetta is exposed and the engaged couples parents find a legitimate reason to divorce so that their children can marry and everything ends happily.
The music of course has Italian flares throughout but does not linger on this style or even as much as Ein Nacht en Venedig does. Mostly the score is charming and light and, of course, sparkling. Every piece truly delicous.
Every charming number in this opera meets or exceeds expectations for an operetta that has not been heard in over a hundred years. I thank god with my hands firmly clasped together that I am alive to hear its sadly delayed resurrection.
Everybody sings crisply and beautifully and the tracks are broken down nicely and there is no dialogue. This is fine by me for as I said I do no speak German and would simply skip past it anyway.
For any Strauss fan or operetta fan, take advantage of this recorded blessing and never take it for granted. Cherish it forever as the worthy musical gem that it is. At one time people had only the choice of three genuine Strauss operetta recordings, now there is Furstin Ninetta, Jabuka, Simplicus (EMI), Das Spitzentuch der Konigin (On the CPO label), and Der Lustige Krieg (This one on the ORF label can be found with some searching and it is worth every penny. It's recorded live and recently but the sound quality is so good you wouldn't know it was recorded live). I can only hope and pray that all the rest of his operettas find their way to CD during my lifetime. Or at least a few more.
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