Search - Christoph Willibald Gluck, Hartmut Haenchen, Jochen Kowalski :: Orfeo ed Euridice

Underrated

R. F. X. OBRIEN | 10/20/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jochen Kowalski hasn't really received the credit he deserves outside his native Germany, and in recent years he has been eclipsed by the brilliant Andreas Scholl. However, this shows him off in his element, taking on a role originally assigned to a castrato- Kowalski does a brilliant impression of a mezzo-soprano on this disc. The only reservations I have about this recording are the casting of a treble as Amor. The soprano as Euridice is very capable. But really this recording is about the much underrated Kowalski."

Faster, deeper

R. F. X. OBRIEN | West Chester PA | 01/03/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"My "base" recording of this opera is Muti's 1982 performance with the Philharmonia on EMI. I've revered Muti's version from first listening - the slow, majestic pace, Baltsa's anguished Orfeo, the lush choruses.



Haendchen's account is altogether different, faster and more urgent, as befits the story. Also befitting is having a countertenor sing Orfeo and a boy sing the Amor role. Schellenberger-Ernst is fine as Euridice, but the two male singers are revelatory. Kowalski sings a lust-driven and love-smitten Orfeo - he wants his woman back. Fliegner's Amor is simultaneoulsy mischievous and sentimental, alternately amused and reassuring.



There are many very good recordings of Orfeo ed Euridice, but only this one, imvho, comes close to delivering the emotional goods the story (if not the composer) demands. For beautiful sound, go with Muti, but for emotional authenticity, it's Haendchen's version that stands out from the crowd."