Classical
The Italian Maestro Giuseppe Sinopoli died last year whilst conducting Verdi's Aida. He was a controversial conductor, his interpretations sometimes inspired, sometimes infuriating. His recordings of Strauss operas were, however, of a particularly high standard and shortly after his death, Deutsche Grammophone released the last two instalments of his prematurely terminated cycle. Neither are classics, but both are definitely worth hearing.
Friedenstag, a pacifist opera set during the Thirty Years War, is certainly one of Strauss's more obscure operas. Its libretto is seriously flawed and the excessive demands on the male dominated cast make it a difficult opera to pull off. Nevertheless, a committed performance will make up for these shortcomings.
Sinopoli's reading of Friedenstag is an interesting performance which falls short of ideal. The quality of the cast is mixed. The role of the Kommandant is superbly sung by Albert Dohmen. He is an imposing figure, oozing authority and fanatical in his devotion to his duties. The role of the Kommandant's wife is sung here by Deborah Voigt. Her large Wagnerian voice and her distracting wide vibrato means she lacks the sensitive, pacific qualities the role implies, but her vocal strength and reliability is welcome in the final 20 minutes. Attila Jun's Holsteiner is fine although he is clearly out of his depth in his duet with Dohmen. The role of the Mayor is taken by the young Jon Villars. His voice may not fit Strauss's description 'old but sturdy', but the lyricism and youthful idealism in his voice is satisfying enough. The smaller roles are adequately sung, but they are by no means distinguished and if you praise outstanding singing above all else, you may want to go with the rival Sawallisch version, which has a slightly stronger cast.
Where this new recording does score points over its rival is in the choral singing and in the superb, sympathetic playing of the Staatskapelle Dresden. Sinopoli injects a controlled energy into his reading. The passage from the ringing of the church bells up to and including the banal march that accompanies the entry of the Holsteiner and his troops is superbly executed, as are the hymn-like closing pages which echo Beethoven's Fidelio. Taken as a whole, this is a good recording of an obscure work certainly worth investigating.
Ariadne auf Naxos is a much more popular work. This endearing piece combines a prologue and an opera - the backstage tantrums and mix-ups of the former providing the comic disruption of the latter. As per usual with Strauss, the soprano parts are magnificent, as well as technically and interpretively challenging. This recording boasts an outstanding cast, most of which are on very good form indeed. Anne Sofie von Otter's Composer is spot-on, Stephen Genz as the Harlequin is both youthful and charming, and Albert Dohmen's Music Master is a important portrayal. Deborah Voigt's portrayal of the Primadonna is near perfect, although later as Ariadne, there is a slight lack of warmth which is slightly disappointing. Ben Heppner's Bacchus is heroic, lyrical and flexible, no mean feat for such a difficult role. However, it is the Zerbinetta of Natalie Dessay which makes this performance. Her voice never sounds strained or shrill, and she tackles the fiendishly difficult part with fantastic aplomb. All the smaller roles are well sung. Vocally, this performance is shamelessly luxuriant and it is difficult to imagine a better cast today.
The Dresden Staatskapelle play the score to the manner born. Although it is not always apparent that this is a chamber opera (just over 30 players in the pit) this hardly matters when the playing is of such high quality. Sinopoli's direction is committed, although a little too cerebral at times, but as a whole, this set is of a particularly high standard, and a good alternative to the so-called classic, but not as well recorded versions of Kempe and Karajan.
These two recordings, especially Ariadne, are fitting, though unintentional, swan-songs to Sinopoli's career as an opera conductor. Both, despite their drawbacks, are thoroughly recommended.
24th Jan 2002