Search - Johann II [Junior] Strauss, Oskar Danon, Vienna State Opera Orchestra :: The Great Moments from Die Fledermaus

Sparkling vintage Johann Strauss

Mark Andrew Lawrence | Toronto | 02/19/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Oscar Danon is the real star of ths recording. His conducting keeps things light and bubbly, just as it should be.The English translation is acceptable but nothing dazzling, and some of the words and phrases seem awkward. (Purists will argue FLEDERMAUS is best heard in it's original German. For that, go to Decca's wonderful 1960 set which includes the wonderful gala sequence featuring an all-star cast.)Anna Moffo is a fine Rosalinda and Jeanette Scovotti is perfect for Adele. (The two ladies switched roles that same year to record highlights for Readers Digest TREASURY OF GREAT OPERETTAS.) Rise Stevens is a bit of a plum as Prince Orlofsky, somehwat past her prime and oversinging "A Most Successful Host." Sergio Franchi does better with Alfred and Richard Lewis does fine as Eisenstein. The Ball scene is given the larger piece of the recording, probably because this is where the opera's most famous "hit tunes" originate.FLEDERMAUS is very much a piece of another world...a long forgotten time when Vienna was all glitter and balls and waltzes. They had the right attitude then: In the rest of the world the situation was often serious, but not hopeless. The Vienese viewed the situation as being hopeless - but never serious.THAT is the spirit of this fun recording."

LOTS OF FUN AND BEAUTIFULLY SUNG

ARMAND DUVAL | NYC | 06/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The sublime Anna Moffo in radiant voice at her peak surrounded by a first rate cast in an excellent translation -only wish it was complete instead of just excerpts!"

A lot of fun!

Steven A. Peterson | Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL) | 04/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is so much fun! It's a shame that this is a "selections only" version rather than the complete work. That said, "Die Fledermaus" is not a great serious work, but a bon-bon. And what a delightful bon-bon!



First, the cast. An interesting combination. Anna Moffo is a delightful Rosalinda; her lush voice works well here. Jeanette Scovotti as Adele may be less well known, but her work is fine indeed (way back when, I owned the Reader's Digest "Operetta" collection, in which these two reversed roles). Rise Stevens, an estimable mezzo, sings Orlofsky with a nice touch. Sergio Franchi plays Alfredo. Eisenstein is well sung by Richard Lewis. George London, a mainstay at the Met, took on Falke. Finally, John Hauxvell sang Frank. And they all seem to be having a grand old time in the singing. The Vienna State Opera Orchestra and Chorus are well led by Oscar Danon.



Second, the singing. The English translation is hardly great art. But the infectious presentation by the singers renders this close to irrelevant. "Calamity, Catastrophe" has everyone in a dither, with a quick tempo that catches the listener up in the excitement. Rise Stevens does a wonderful turn in "More often than not. . .Chacun a son gout." Well sung indeed. Adele's "Oh for the life of an actress" is an affecting piece, with Jeanette Scovotti doing a nice job singing.



So, if you want an infectious, fun version of "Die Fledermaus" (even with a rather lame English translation), this will work well for you.

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