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Ben Heppner - German Romantic Opera
Ludwig van Beethoven, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Richard [Classical] Wagner
Ben Heppner - German Romantic Opera
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (10) - Disc #1

Forget the superannuated Three Tenors; Ben Heppner, with his huge voice, tonal brilliance, and interpretive sensitivity, is a 1990s throwback to the greats of the past. In this repertory, he's king of the hill. The recital...  more »

     
   
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Forget the superannuated Three Tenors; Ben Heppner, with his huge voice, tonal brilliance, and interpretive sensitivity, is a 1990s throwback to the greats of the past. In this repertory, he's king of the hill. The recital's delights begin with a golden-voiced, 40-minute Wagner set chockfull of vocal thrills, made all the more compelling by Heppner's rhythmic mastery and discreet rubato. You expect excitement from a tenor with his ringing top, but just as impressive is the delicate soft singing that makes the Korngold aria, to take but one of many examples, a moving experience. Good accompaniments. Slightly subpar engineering doesn't dim the attractions of this outstanding disc. --Dan Davis

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CD Reviews

MAGNIFICENT.
MOVIE MAVEN | New York, NY USA | 02/04/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a magnificent album: Ben Heppner could easily be called the finest Wagnerian heldentenor singing today. I was fortunate enough to hear him in the title role of Wagner's "Lohengrin" at the Metropolitan Opera House a few seasons ago in a startling production by Robert Wilson. Heppner's voice is strong and clear and beautifully produced. And even when he is singing with that mighty, huge Met orchestra, he never loses the sweetness in his voice which is one of its most precious qualities. This year he took on the role of 'Florestan' in Beethoven's "Fidelio" in New York and that character's major aria is gorgeously done on this album. Besides the six Wagner excerpts, my personal favorite is from Korngold's "Die Tote Stadt." Highly Recommended for anyone who loves Wagner or for anyone who has no real exposure to him and would like to begin with a beautiful album."
Heppner made a German Opera fan out of me.
James Walters | Seattle, WA USA | 04/27/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Before Heppner came around I had little interest in German music, other than Beethoven, and Mozart. His interpretation of these arias, as well as his disc of Strauss arias converted me. He never barks this music, but sings with artistry, and technical mastery. He infuses this music with the technique of an italian singer, and gives this music the beauty it deserves. After listening to Heppner sing these operas, I did more exploring, and found that there were other singers, who sang German opera beautiful as well. Thanks to Heppner and his beautiful singing, apparent on this disc, I have been opened to this music."