Oelze shines and so do Gardiner
madamemusico | 05/15/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I usually prefer Abbados reading of Mozart instead of Gardiner but here is one Abbado hast done yet and I dont think that matter because even if Gardiner not ALWAYS pick up the strongest cast for his Archiv, Mozart operas are these singers very good indeed (Oelze and Schade is very good on this one and they ARE good singers) and Gardiner has a quick, but not rushed tempi/moving forward flow in Mozarts Die Zauberflöte I admire and find very pleased with.Sound is excellent on this disc (this is a live recording but without annoying coughing :-) and so is this music -excellent, superb. One of the absolutly best versions -so far. The only dull thing in this opera is all that talking between arias, songs choirs, music but it is not Gardiners fault (it IS much talk in this opera). If you cant stand that go for a "highlight" version but this is disc is so good so you should by this set anyway.By it and admire this fun, sometimes whimsy, sometimes very serious opera about becoming a good person. It is a very humanistic opera ( and has a happy ending too :-).Period instruments sound lively and great here and are well played by English Baroque Soloists orchestra and the Monteverdi choir supports solists at a high level.I rank this as Gardiners best Mozart disc and the best MODERN version of "Die Zauberflöte" so buy it and enjoy."
Magnificent!
Fernando Hernandez | Mexico | 03/24/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This recording is really worthy...
the voices of Christane Oelze (pamina) and Cyndia Sieden (Königin der Nacth) are superb, also the male soloists
(and the rest) are excellent as well as the choir and the musicians."
You must hear...
Fernando Hernandez | 08/26/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This set is worth hearing just for the part of Pamina, sung by Christiane Oelze. A golden-tonsiled soprano, whose tone is as clear as a bell, with a subtle vibrato. All around a great performance, and great sound."