Arabella

[Guido]

It was my introduction to the opera and came from a time when I was soaking up every opera I could manage to see in whatever format I could.

This is the phase I'm in!

[mc ukrneal]

This is the phase I'm in!

It's worthwhile, in my opinion, if nothing else than to see it. Janowitz, as already mentioned is not always the best and it seems to me that she is just singing the role as opposed to trying to be in the role. Yet though her voice is a bit heavy, I was surprised to find myself enjoying it. I do like the period costumes and all that, though the lip synching is not my thing (reaonably done here I guess). Many of the other roles look to be pretty good too.

There is also a Te Kanawa version on film, but I cannot for the life of me remember if I saw it, though both seem well reviewed on Amazon if you are looking for more opinions. 

[knight66]

I am pretty sure the story is going to irritate me. Odd that what I can be content with in Rossini, I can see will set my teeth on edge in the more modern setting.

Surprised if anyone finds Janowitz less that excellent in the vocal department. But I have not heard it yet. However I did order it for a bargain price. So I will get back to the thread at some point.

Mike

[Guido]

Do.

The problem I think is that Strauss goes for a great deal more naturalism than Donizetti, which make the trivialities of the plot more grating - the characters and situations are meant to be taken seriously. The libretto of course remains unfinished as Hoffmansthal died whilst wriitng it, and Strauss set it as he left in homage to his great colaborater, but it suffers as a result.

[jlaurson]

Any idea how the version you have been discussing stacks up against this one?



Solti conducting Janowitz. She looks too old....but then there is the voice. I have resisted this opera for a long time, getting by with about 20 minutes of beautiful exerptts on CD with Schwartzkopf. For some reason I formed an opinion that away from the obvious highlights, it was dry with yards of dialogue.

Just watched that a few weeks ago... one gets used to it... but why anyone would want Arabella (who looks like a boring horse) and not her sister (who's quite hot). It's rather well played, well sung... but not an appealing production.

[mjwal]

Just watched that a few weeks ago... one gets used to it... but why anyone would want Arabella (who looks like a boring horse) and not her sister (who's quite hot).

As a gentleman I must say there's not a Grane of truth in your remark 

[jlaurson]

As a gentleman I must say there's not a Grane of truth in your remark 

..

Haw!! it would ..behoof you to make better jokes. Janowitz is the ..mane reason this is a clunker. Heck, she's a night..mare. I should know; judging opera singers is my daily ..bred.
Kollo, meanwhile, is ..horse throughout, and from scene one he knows he's in for a tough ..ride. I know he ..harnesses all his experience... but in the end the trained ear must cry ..foal! On the other hand, you'd have to be very ..colt-hearted not to fall in love (or mount) with Ghazarian. Her presence alone very nearly ..whips the whole production into shape. Well, I don't want to push the ..gait on this discussion open any further... we have ..ambling time to discuss it more in depth later. I say this, because I have a ..haunch you'll insist on a comeback. Well... be my guest, if you ..muzzle.

[mjwal]

I cannot say neigh, sir, to some of your points, though I must bridle at your suggestion that I "muzzle" - I will admit to nuzzling occasionally and have even been known to snaffle a bit on the sly. It was merely your dashed incivility to Ms Janowitz that ruffled my equinimity.

[Lilas Pastia]

While I love the Della Casa - Ggueden partnership in their sister act, I find slightly more vocal glamour in the duet "Er ist der richtige", where Pilar Lorengar and Arleen Auger ideally abet each other.

[Guido]

While I love the Della Casa - Ggueden partnership in their sister act, I find slightly more vocal glamour in the duet "Er ist der richtige", where Pilar Lorengar and Arleen Auger ideally abet each other.

Has to be Bonney/Fleming/Eschenbach for me...

[Lilas Pastia]

Certainly a fine lineup. I'll try to locate a clip or recording. Few composers have used the female voice as exquisitely as Strauss.

[Guido]

The Fleming/Bonney/Eschenbach Met Broadcast from 2001 is coming to siriusxm radio 4 times this week. Unfortunately I'm in the UK and so can't access this service, but would anyone in the US be willing to sign up to the free trial and record it in high quality? I've been wanting to hear this for years. They're also doing the Conlon/ Fleming, Hadley, Ramey, McVeigh Susannah which I'd also love to hear.


http://www.siriusxm.com/servlet/Satellite?c=SXM_Channel_C&childpagename=SXM%2FSXM_Channel_C%2FChannelProgramList&cid=1282009842027&pagename=SXM%2FWrapper

I'll post this on the Strauss thread too.

[Drasko]

http://www.youtube.com/v/5xeCbF-a33g