Beethoven: Fidelio, Op. 72 Classical Opera PENTATONE

Beethoven: Fidelio, Op. 72

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PT 6880

Beethoven: Fidelio, Op. 72

Label Catalogue Number:
PTC5186880

Running Time: 01:49:00

Release Date: July 2021
Originally recorded in 2020

Genre:
Classical
Opera

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Reviews

Opera category - Nominee

International Classical Music Awards 2022

Choc de Classica

Pierre Flinois – Classica (France) – December 2021-January 2022

“…a commanding performance from the young Norwegian soprano Lise Davidsen puts the spotlight unquestionably on Leonore. Davidsen’s combination of power, virtuosity and beauty, which makes her Act I aria, Absheulicher! (You monster!) so moving, is rare and wonderful. Davidsen is supported by a largely terrific cast. In particular, I love how Georg Zeppenfeld brings out Rocco’s humanity, compromised though he may be. Johannes Kränzle makes a satisfyingly nasty Pizarro, and Christina Landshamer is an affecting Marzelline… The exquisite Dresden Philharmonic plays with the agility of a chamber ensemble, while the MDR Leipzig Radio Choir is inspired, soaring in the rapturous O welche Lust (Oh what joy). Conductor Marek Janowski propels things forward with buoyant vitality.”

Pamela Margles – thewholenote.com – 29 October 2021

“… Janowski’s attention to details is everywhere in evidence. Right from the start, there is a wonderful energy to the jaunty lower string figures that accompany Marzeline and Jaquino’s duet. The conductor introduces an improvisatory feeling to the orchestral introduction and recitative of Florestan’s ‘Dungeon Aria’. And the eruption of musical joy at the start of the opera’s final scene is thrilling. The Maestro’s concept is executed faithfully by the outstanding orchestra, and the male voices of the MDR Radio Choir make the Act I ‘Prisoners’ Chorus’ particularly affecting…”

Allen Altman – American Record Guide – November/December 2021

Interpretation *** (Good) Sound Quality **** (Very Good) Repertoire Value *** (Good) Booklet **** (Very Good)

“… this is a recording that is worth listening to … Lise Davidsen is a young star of the opera world, she embodied Leonore on stage in London before the pandemic. Now she is immortalizing her fresh interpretation on sound carrier. Her lush soprano is extremely impressive: the glistening highs, the rich and dark colors in the middle register, the sheer power and richness of sound that emanates from this voice… As Florestan, Christian Elsner is an unusual cast, lyrically grounded and with little heroism. And yet these are precisely the strengths of his interpretation. He draws a broken man who stands on the threshold between life and death, whose hope is only a memory. Elsner fights, like so many tenors, for the final bars of his great aria, but he wins - with a shimmering youth and at the same time credibly attacked tonal beauty. His diction is crystal clear, you can believe every word of this Florestan. Christina Landshamer delivers a squeaky clean and personable Marcelline, while Cornel Frey still gains a lot of profile from the thankless part of Jaquino with his agile playing tenor. The luxury cast of Don Fernando with Günther Groissböck is worthy of a studio recording. This 'Fidelio' …”

Benjamin Künzel – klassik.com – 9 September 2021

"... this recording has a superb cast and it is interpreted not just conducted... Janowski's phrasing is full of thoughtful insights and a well defined and dramatic pulse... excellent recording " *****

Eduardo Benarroch – Musical Opinion Quarterly – October-December 2021

Performance **** Recording ****

“… it’s the orchestra which catches attention, with Janowski coaxing heartfelt playing from the strings and above all the horns, who somehow come to signify all that is most helpful in this great work.”

Christopher Cook – BBC Music magazine – October 2021

“… Pentatone’s recording, exceptionally clear and warm, strikes an ideal balance between the voices and orchestra, with the chorus far enough forward to be an active participant in the drama … the singing of Lise Davidsen is masterly, and will no doubt ensure this recording’s success.”

David A. McConnell – theclassicreview.com – 15 July 2021

Album of the Week

“… She [Lise Davidsen] is radiant in Act II’s sublime O Gott, Welch ein Augenblick and completely secure at the top, heading a fine cast including Georg Zeppenfeld (Rocco), Günther Groissböck (Fernando) and Kränzle (Pizarro), a character baritone who oozes malevolence. Janowski is a swift, vital Beethovenian, and the Dresden Opera Chorus sings with breathtaking beauty in the Act I finale.”

Hugh Canning – The Sunday Times (Culture magazine) – 11 July 2021

“… From the conductor’s point of view this reading is certainly on a par with most of the competitors… The singing is also, by and large, in the top flight. The secondary love couple, Jaquino and Marzelline, are well in the picture. Cornel Frey is an expressive character tenor and Christina Landshamer is a fresh-voiced Marzelline who twitters beguilingly in her aria… In her [Davidsen] big scene (CD 1 tr. 9) she turns out to be powerful and dramatic but also sings beautifully with excellent legato in the lyrical moments, which are just as important in her aria. She has the power and intensity of both Flagstad and Nilsson without reminding much of either. The glorious final note is certainly spine-chilling… the choral forces are magnificent in the final scene, which becomes a jubilant homage to freedom. The excellent recording contributes a lot to the impact of the performance… Perhaps this new recording doesn’t exactly sweep the board, considering how many excellent recordings from yesteryear exist, but it is highly competitive and no one investing in it will regret the purchase.”

Göran Forsling – MusicWeb-International.com – 1 July 2021

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