I have this recording, it's EXCELLENT. The cast is perfect. The Beckmesser (Benno Kusche) makes me laugh like no other. You have Schock, Neidlinger, Frick, etc. What else could you wish for? Gerhard Unger singing a "bel canto like" David (beautiful; singing this role, he sounds like a German Gigli ).
@Astradamors I agree. I was lucky, it was the first recording I heard and I immediately fell in love with this work. I have yet to hear a better overall interpretation.
Yeah, to have been able to hear Frantz, Lorenz, Kipnis, Melchior,Bohnen and their contemporaries would have been a thrill,,, versus what we get today. Ya gotta love the corporate mentality of the Music Conservatories and the business of Opera today,it's creating an atmosphere in which it is difficult to BREATHE, let alone allow a singer to grow into their True Potential as an Artist and Human Being. Thanks for this Great Post!
Thank you for remembering! He is one of my favorite wagnerian singers, I adore his Wotan and Telramund. But many of my wagnerian friends regard his interpretations as too cold (I don't agree, of course, I think his singing is really noble and clever).
I hear why, he's truly wonderful. I had never heard him before and heard him on another Youtube clip from Rheingold. What would we not give for a Wagnerian bass baritone like this now! His voice is quite similar to George London to me.
I think his voice is more flexible than London's (although I like London too).
And imagine, which golden era it was, when both Frantz and Hotter sang in Munich. They are so different in their voices and interpretations, but both so great...
More flexible than London? Do you mean as in agile, or in scope of roles? If the former, I won't quibble and don't have much to go on! But if the latter, I think London was pretty remarkable in the breadth of roles that he not only portrayed but did so really well. To many he's not only the definitive Wotan, but also Dutchman, Scarpia and Don Giovanni. Quite a gallery. He was also an amazing Boris and Mephistopheles, both Gounod and Boito. But you're certainly right about the era!
I have this recording, it's EXCELLENT. The cast is perfect. The Beckmesser (Benno Kusche) makes me laugh like no other. You have Schock, Neidlinger, Frick, etc. What else could you wish for? Gerhard Unger singing a "bel canto like" David (beautiful; singing this role, he sounds like a German Gigli ).
Astradamors 1 year ago
@Astradamors I agree. I was lucky, it was the first recording I heard and I immediately fell in love with this work. I have yet to hear a better overall interpretation.
CzarDodon 1 year ago
Yeah, to have been able to hear Frantz, Lorenz, Kipnis, Melchior,Bohnen and their contemporaries would have been a thrill,,, versus what we get today. Ya gotta love the corporate mentality of the Music Conservatories and the business of Opera today,it's creating an atmosphere in which it is difficult to BREATHE, let alone allow a singer to grow into their True Potential as an Artist and Human Being. Thanks for this Great Post!
robertwbecker 1 year ago
You're welcome, I was very surprised to find that there was nothing with Frantz on YT.... and indeed nothing condicted by Kempe!!!
CzarDodon 3 years ago
Thank you for remembering! He is one of my favorite wagnerian singers, I adore his Wotan and Telramund. But many of my wagnerian friends regard his interpretations as too cold (I don't agree, of course, I think his singing is really noble and clever).
podkivanok 3 years ago
"He is one of my favorite wagnerian singers..."
I hear why, he's truly wonderful. I had never heard him before and heard him on another Youtube clip from Rheingold. What would we not give for a Wagnerian bass baritone like this now! His voice is quite similar to George London to me.
countceprano 2 years ago
I think his voice is more flexible than London's (although I like London too).
And imagine, which golden era it was, when both Frantz and Hotter sang in Munich. They are so different in their voices and interpretations, but both so great...
podkivanok 2 years ago
More flexible than London? Do you mean as in agile, or in scope of roles? If the former, I won't quibble and don't have much to go on! But if the latter, I think London was pretty remarkable in the breadth of roles that he not only portrayed but did so really well. To many he's not only the definitive Wotan, but also Dutchman, Scarpia and Don Giovanni. Quite a gallery. He was also an amazing Boris and Mephistopheles, both Gounod and Boito. But you're certainly right about the era!
countceprano 2 years ago
No, no, I meant the first :))
podkivanok 2 years ago
"No, I meant the first :))"
Aha, got'cha! At any rate, what I wouldn't give to hear a voice like London's or Frantz's when I go to the Met instead of what I get!
countceprano 2 years ago
Me too!
podkivanok 2 years ago