Search - Eugen d' Albert, Marek Janowski, Munich Radio Orchestra :: Eugen d'Albert: Tiefland

German Verismo

Daniel Mitrano | Ft. Lauderdale, FL | 12/11/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"D'Albert's Tiefland is a wonderful opera, full of life and drama. It's a bit on the long winded, Germanic side to really be called "verismo" but that said, it's a piece that can stand on its own merit. Unfortunately, Janowski doens't really possess the feeling and warmth in his conducting to fully realize all the dramatic potential. Most of it just moves along ploddingly like a scene from the Ring. Marton, a versatile dramatic soprano, knows the Italiante style and sings with her normal gusto, fullness, and style. Kollo, a bit strenuous at the top of his range makes a good stab at the lead tenor role. His voice is a little past its prime, but he throws himself into the difficult part with total conviction and dedication. Weikl and Moll could hardly be bettered as the lower-voiced main parts, both having a pleasing, beautiful voice and elegant style. In fact, none of the singers on this set have any weaknesses in musicality or voice; it's obvious great care was taken to assemble a first rate cast all around. Janowski's Munich forces are their virtuoso selves and happily deliver all of the musical demands. Excellent sound and engineering, though an English translation would have been nice. A good buy at a good price."