In 1971, Istvan Kertesz went into the studio with an array of opera singers with whom he enjoyed performing to make a recording of arias, duets and ensembles from Mozart’s most popular operas. The results, in terms of characterisation and energy, are in a class of their own and what’s more, the stellar singers blend together wonderfully in the ensemble pieces. The collection appeared on a double-LP set entitled ‘Mozart Opera Festival’, together with a collection of Overtures.
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
Le Nozze di Figaro:
Cosa sento! tosto andate
Non più andrai
Voi che sapete
Crudel! perchè finora farmi languir così?
Giuse alfin il momento … Deh vieni, non tardar
Die Entführung aus dem Serail:
Konstanze, dich wiederzusehen, dich! … O wie ängstlich, o wie feurig
Vivat Bacchus! Bacchus lebe!
In Mohrenland gefangen war
O, wie will ich triumphieren
Die Zauberflöte:
Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja
Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön
Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen
Zaide:
Ruhe sanft, mein holdes Leben
Così fan tutte:
Soave sia il vento
Un’aura amorosa
Il cor vi dono
Il re pastore:
L’amerò, sarò costante
Don Giovanni:
Là ci darem la mano
Finch’han dal vino
Lucia Popp, soprano
Brigitte Fassbaender, mezzo-soprano
Werner Krenn, tenor
Tom Krause, baritone
Manfred Jungwirth, bass
Wiener Haydn-Orchester
István Kertész
Recording producer: Christopher Raeburn
Recording engineer: Gordon Parry
Recording location: Sofiensaal, Vienna, October 1971
Remastering: The Audio Archiving Company, London
‘There is splendid singing from all involved … Popp’s clear, fresh-voiced soprano and the resonant, powerful baritone of Tom Krauss are real standouts … Kertész’s accompaniments are crisp and stylish’ Limelight
‘As a varied program, well recorded and with five of the best Mozart singers of their generation, this reissue can be confidently recommended’ MusicWeb
‘This lovely collection makes for a charming program. Beautifully recorded … and a sensitive orchestral contribution from the Viennese players and the wonderful István Kertész’ 2MBS Fine Music