Béla Bartók (1881-1945): Bluebeard's Castle - Bernard Haitink - Berliner PhilharmonikerOpera | Early 20th Century | 1CD | EACRip | APE+LOG+CUE | Covers | RS.com | 243MB
Label:EMI | Year of release: 1996 | DDD
Judith: Anne Sofie von Otter
Duke Bluebeard: John Tomlinson
Berliner Philharmoniker
Bernard Haitink
Amazon REVIEW:
Full disclosure: this is one of my favorite operas. My first exposure was the early recording with Boulez and Troyanos (still available), and I've heard a number of others, but this one must now take first place. One strength is that the spoken prologue is included by Sandor Eles, speaking in the original Hungarian. As he reaches the end of his introduction, delivered in delicately creepy Boris Karloff style, the opening music quietly begins, setting an ominous tone for everything that is to follow.
Anne Sofie von Otter is magnificent as Judith. (Some may find her voice too light for the part, although I didn't.) The combination of innocence and increasing desperation is pretty terrifying, thanks to her vocal and dramatic skills. John Tomlinson makes a marvelous Bluebeard, singing to Judith with an almost reassuring warmth. Some may prefer a "rougher" Bluebeard, but I enjoyed the effect of his voice masking his real intentions -- until the shocking conclusion.
Haitink's characteristic understatement works extremely well here, as he encourages the Berlin Philharmonic to ever more sinister heights. This is very much an opera that requires a brilliant orchestra in addition to its two stars, and here the Berlin ensemble just sounds terrific. One of the work's highlights is especially well done, when Judith opens the fifth door that reveals "all of Bluebeard's kingdom." The blaze of orchestral playing here is just spine-tingling.
The sound quality is excellent -- recorded live -- and fittingly caps a project that does a grand job communicating Bartok's dark intentions.
Bruce Hodges
TRACK 01 Prologue & Opening
TRACK 02 Door 1
TRACK 03 Door 2
TRACK 04 Door 3
TRACK 05 Door 4
TRACK 06 Door 5
TRACK 07 Door 6
TRACK 08 Door 7
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