Sergei Prokofiev: L'Amour des Trois Oranges - Kent Nagano - Opéra de Lyon

Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953): L'Amour des Trois Oranges - Kent Nagano - Opéra de Lyon
Opera | Early 20th Century | 2CD | EACRip | APE+LOG+CUE | Covers | RS.com | 462MB
Label: Virgin | Year of release: 2006 | DDD

L'Amour des Trois Oranges, Opera in four acts

Catherine Dubosc - Ninette
Gabriel Bacquier - The King of Clubs
Jean-Luc Viala - The Prince
Georges Gautier - Truffaldino

Chorus & Orchestra of the Opéra de Lyon
Kent Nagano

Prokofiev.org review:

This CD set received the Gramophone award for best opera recording of (forgive my memory lapse) 1989 or 1990. And it's easy to see why. Though it's sung in French (Prokofiev, who wrote the libretto in Russian, did approve a French-language version for the opera's premier), the core of the work comes through here to marvelous effect: Nagano and company vigorously stir the mixture of farcical slap-stick and acid-laced joyous music to make for tasty oranges for the jaded palette. There's not a moment's inattention by the conductor to the rambunctious goings-on in Prokofiev's opera. You can practically see the action on stage: the spectators (comedians, tragedians, empty-heads, romantics, etc.) arguing vociferously at the outset over what they shall see; nasty Fata Morgana (splendidly sung by Michelle Lagrange) casting wicked spells; Truffaldino (characterfully performed by Georges Gautier) and the prince hiding from the giant cook; the mad chase near the end of Smeraldina, Clarissa and Leandro. It's all here in splendid singing, abetted by gorgeous sonics and vivid acoustical atmosphere.
The playing by the Lyon Opera Orchestra is never less than exuberant and brilliant: the well-know march and scherzo are deliciously rendered, and there's so much frothy verve to their performance in general, you could hardly expect this level of orchestral panache bettered by even some of the world-class ensembles.

Robert Cummings

Tracklist:

CD1
1 Prologue (3:44)
2 The King's palace (1. Akt) (9:40)
3 Celio and Fata Morgana (3:35)
4 The King's palace (10:09)
5 The Prince's bedroom (2. Akt) (6:48)
6 The courtyard of the palace (15:51)

CD2
1 A desert (3. Akt) (9:37)
2 The courtyard of Creonta's palace (7:55)
3 A desert (23:07)
4 Celio and Fata Morgana (4. Akt) (3:33)
5 The Throne Room of the King's palace (7:48)


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Paul Hindemith: Mathis der Maler - Gerd Albrecht - Kölner Rundfunk

Paul Hindemith (1895-1963): Mathis der Maler - Gerd Albrecht - Kölner Rundfunk SO

Opera | Early 20th Century | 3CD | EACRip | APE+LOG+CUE | Covers | RS.com | 660MB
Label: Wergo | Year of release: 1994 | DDD

Mathis der Maler, opera in seven scenes

Albrecht von Brandenburg - Josef Protschka
Mathis - Roland hermann
Lorenz von Pommerfelsden - Victor von Halem
Wolfgang Capito - Hermann Winkler

Kölner Rundfunk Sinfonieorchester
Gerd Albrecht

Ancient folksongs, battlesongs from the time of the Reformation, and Gregorian chant, these provide the fertile soil from which the music in 'Mathis' grows, which hopefully spreads at least a faint reflection of the light under whose warming rays it was able to bloom: the spirit of one of the greatest artists we have ever seen." (Paul Hindemith, 1938)
Hindemith's opera "Mathis der Maler" was written between the years 1933 and 1935. The relevance of the material, especially the problem of combining artistic activity and politics, was immediately recognized. For Hindemith - as he mentioned himself several times - the period of artistic noncommitment was over; the works to be created would have to be of a different kind, a music emphasizing more than mere virtuosity or entertainment; he became aware at this time that the artist holds a position of high responsibility toward humanity as well as for art and the defence of art. Hindemith shares this attitude towards art with Mathis, who - at the beginning of the 16th century - experienced the dawn of a new age with its inevitable destruction of the perceptions which until then had held sway, and who also chose to concentrate in his work on the unfolding of tradition. The opera "Mathis der Maler" is the first document of this new position; it is a work that seeks to cause everything personal and temporal, if not to be forgotten, at least to recede into the background.


Tracklist:

CD1

1 (Vorspiel : Engelkonzert) (8:54)
2 Sonniges Land. Mildes Drängen schon nahen Sommers (3:23)
3 Rector potens, verax Deus (2:01)
4 Aufmachen ! Helft uns ! (1:52)
5 Woher kommt ihr denn ? (5:33)
6 Was redest du da ? (5:01)
7 Staub am Himmel, Pferdetraben (1:07)
8 Raus, Schwarzröcke, aus eurem Geniste ! (2:04)
9 Dem Volk stopft man die falschen Lehren ins Maul (4:27)
10 Nach dem Lärm vieler Orte (2:51)
11 Man fühlt den Segen (6:01)
12 Rom verzieh oft (3:24)
13 Was gibt's ? (7:57)

CD2

1 In dieser Arche wird unsre Habe die Sintflut überstehn (5:18)
2 Man könnte päpstlich werden (2:16)
3 Was bin ich anderes in dieser Männerwelt (10:22)
4 Unsre Schande leuchtete in des Feuers Schein (2:51)
5 Du hast uns lange getreten (3:42)
6 Wer hieß euch den Grafen ermorden ? (2:07)
7 Das sieht euch gleich (6:01)
8 Flohen nicht alle ? (1:57)
9 Wagen wollen, was ein Wille nicht zu zwingen vermag (2:40)
10 Wollt ihr mich denn entmündigen ? (4:03)
11 Du, Ursula ! (8:18)
12 Ihr wollt das Ergebnis der Unterhaltung wissen (7:19)

CD3

1 Du wirst mich verlieren (6:13)
2 Alte Märchen woben uns fromme Bilder (6:16)
3 Du hast ihn verschleudert (3:03)
4 Gibst du noch so viel (4:11)
5 Und dich hat der Tod vergessen (1:03)
6 Du bist zu alt geworden (:53)
7 Dein ärgster Feind sitzt in dir selbst (4:13)
8 Mein Bruder, entreiße dich (7:38)
9 Das ist der Kreuzweg (8:14)
10 (Zwischenspiel : Grablegung) (3:12)
11 Du bringst es über dich (6:04)
12 Auf denn zum letzten Stück des Weges (3:12)



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Alban Berg: Lulu - Pierre Boulez - Orchestre de l'Òpera de Paris

Alban Berg: Lulu - Pierre Boulez - Orchestre de l'Òpera de Paris
Opera | Early 20th Century | 3CD | EACRip | APE+LOG+CUE | Covers | RS.com | 685MB
Label: DG | Year of release: 2000 | ADD

Lulu, Opera in three acts

Lulu - Teresa Stratas
Gräfin Geschwitz - Yvonne Minton
Dr.Schön / Jack - Franz Mazura
Alwa - Kenneth Riegel

Orchestre de l'Ópera de Paris
Pierre Boulez

Amazon Review:

This recording of Berg's posthumous opera, Lulu, is quite a thing one would take in as masterpiece or despise. That is, barring the singers themselves. Some call it unpleasant and jarring, others say it has more depthful beauty than any other opera.
I say, first, of the opera itself. I was deeply into romanticism before this point, and now I rethink my tastes. True, Lulu can have intensely romantic stretches, but also something more. Something more real, that is. The 12-tone composition can be difficult, but just listen, and it dawns. It is face-paced and exciting, and always very convincing dramatically, due to the tendancy of the format to follow patterns of speech rather than melodies that are "pleasant to the ear," Of course, through this all, Lulu manages to be very pleasant to the ear, if you have an open mind.
First, I was hooked in by the very abstract and interesting story. Lulu, I thought at first, was just one of those "chew them up and spit them out" heroines, but that is not father from the truth. She lives in an innocent world of her own, completely oblivious to the princples of right and wrong. It is the twisted desires, devious actions, character flaws and infortitudes of those surrounding her that give her the illusion of being corrupt. The libretto, writtten by the composer, is brilliant. It brings out a captivating and very risque story-- banned later in Nazi Germany for being "degenerate art."
As for the singing, I have a few comments as well. I've heard some rather harsh criticisms concerning Teresa Stratas in the title role. I think they are unwarranted. Stratas is an artist I have immense respect for, and I think her the perfect Lulu. She has a remarkable meekness in her stage-presence and voice that draws sympathy and pathos. This, in conflict with the character's actions, show what Lulu was intended to be. Her voice is glorious in this recording, and she sends a chilling stillness through her occasional coloratura that give perfect effect. Many claim she's too unsure too be Lulu, but I think that makes this recording. Of course, the other singers are top-rate as well. Kenneth Reigel as Alwa never falters on the high notes, but barrages them gracefully. Yvonne Minton plays a warm Geswitz, though not as adapted to sprechstimme as the rest of the crew. However, her final dying plea to Lulu, after Jack the Ripper leaves is intensely haunting and moving. And, lastly, we have a properly ill-tempered Dr. Schon.
If you wish to try sopmething new, grab a copy of this recording-- a great rendition of a sadly neglected opera.


Tracklist:

Disc 1:

1. Lulu / Prolog - Hereinspaziert in die Menagerie 4:30
2. Lulu / Act 1 - "Darf ich eintreten?" - "Mein Sohn!" ... "Wie ist dir?" 5:09
3. Lulu / Act 1 - "Machen Sie auf!" ... [Interlude] "Wollen Sie mir zuhaken" 9:06
4. Lulu / Act 1 - "Eva!" - "Befehlen?" - "Ich finde, du siehst heute reizend aus" R 3:34
5. Lulu / Act 1 - "Den hab' ich mir auch ganz anders vorgestellt" 4:26
6. Lulu / Act 1 - "Was tut denn Ihr Vater da?" Sonate "Wenn ich ihr Mann wäre" 7:03
7. Lulu / Act 1 - Monoritmica "Nun?" / "Du hast eine halbe Million geheiratet" 5:03
8. Lulu / Act 1 - "Ich darf mich jetzt hier nicht sehen lassen" F 3:54
9. Lulu / Act 1 - Verwandlungsmusik 3:07
10.Lulu / Act 1 - "Seit ich für die Bühne arbeite" - "Noch etwas, bitte" K 3:53
11.Lulu / Act 1 - "Über die liesse sich freilich .." ... " Das hättest du dir besser erspart" 4:29
12.Lulu / Act 1 - "Wie kannst du die Szene gegen .." ... "Sehr geehrtes Fräulein .." 7:13

Disc 2:

1. Lulu / Act 2 - "Sie glauben nicht" - "Könntest du dich für heute nachmittag" 5:27
2. Lulu / Act 2 - "Gott sei dank, dass wir endlich" ... "Hast oben abgeschlossen?" 5:40
3. Lulu / Act 2 - "Die Matinée wird, wie ich mir denke" 6:15
4. Lulu / Act 2 - "Sein Vater!" ... "Du Kreatur, die mich durch den Strassenkot" 3:45
6. Lulu / Act 2 - Filmmusik 2:49
7. Lulu / Act 2 - "Er lässt auf sich warten" 5:42
8. Lulu / Act 2 - "Sie wollten der verrückten Rakete" - "Mit wem habe ich ... Sie?" 5:34
9. Lulu / Act 2 - "Hü, kleine Lulu" - "O Freiheit! Herr Gott im Himmel!" 7:26
10.Lulu / Act 2 - "Wenn deine beiden grossen Kinderaugen" - "Durch dieses Kleid" 4:58

Disc 3:

1. Lulu / Act 3 - "Meine Herrn und Damen!" ... "Der Staatsanwalt bezahlt demjenigen" 9:20
2. Lulu / Act 3 - "Brilliant! Es geht brilliant" 2:06
3. Lulu / Act 3 - "Einen Moment! Hast du meinen Brief gelesen?" 3:12
4. Lulu / Act 3 - "Ich brauche nämlich notwendig Geld" 3:33
5. Lulu / Act 3 - "Behandeln sie mich doch wenigstens anständig" 2:41
6. Lulu / Act 3 - "Martha! Mein liebes Herz, du kannst mich heute vor "s 2:30
7. Lulu / Act 3 - "Wollen sie wohl diese Aktie akzeptieren" 2:44
8. Lulu / Act 3 - Verwandlungsmusik 2:51
9. Lulu / Act 3 - "Der Regen trommelt zur Parade" 4:39
10. Lulu / Act 3 - "Wenn ich dir ungelegen komme" - "Ihr Körper stand auf dem Höhepunkt" 6:08
11. Lulu / Act 3 - "Komm nur herein, mein Schatz" 4:16
12. Lulu / Act 3 - "Der Herr Doktor haben sich schon zur Ruhe begeben" 2:42
13. Lulu / Act 3 - "Wer ist das?" 5:17
14. Lulu / Act 3 - "Das ist der letzte Abend" - "Lulu! Mein Engel!" 3:56



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