20 Under Appreciated Singers of the Past - 1 (Leo Slezak)

This is the first post in a series I am doing about some of the under appreciated singers of the past.

In our age of YAP Tracker and Twitter, Netrebko and De Niese, and Peter Sellars and Julie Taymor, I have noticed that some younger singers are all too unfamiliar with some of the great singers of the past that maybe didn't have the same output of recordings or weren't in the latest HD Met Broadcast. This series is just a source for some of my fellow young singers to discover some fantastic voices before they are lost in the depths of the archives of great opera houses forever.

The first of this series is tenor Leo Slezak (1873-1946)

Slezak had an interesting voice. He was a large man with a very present voice that was fully capable of singing dramatic passages, he also sang quite a lot of Wagner. While some people call him a Heldentenor, I disagree. I think he was a lyric tenor with an amazing capacity for dynamics and power. He sang Tristan and Siegfried for a short time but then decided to put them away as he was worried about the long term effects that the roles would have on his voice. He was extremely well known for his Otello, oddly enough. He was able to float some of the most beautiful pianissimo high notes of his time and his top register has as much (if not more) ease as Luciano Pavarotti's. Slezak had a voice with such a unique and individual colour and timbre that after one listen one can never truly forget it.

Whether you are hearing this familiar old singer one more time, or whether you are hearing this golden age master for the first time, enjoy!

RECORDING OF THE MONTH- April 2012: IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA by ROSSINI

For those of you who know me personally, you will know that bel canto is not exactly "my thing"… It isn't that I dislike it, I think it has its place and some of the vocal writing is, naturally, some of the most beautiful, however, I have never really felt a connection with the bel canto repertoire like I have with many other styles of opera.

With that said, there are times when nothing can satisfy like a frivolous frolic through an Opera Buffa by Rossini or Donizetti. It was time to tackle a review of a bel canto opera. I thought it best to start with the Grandfather and essentially the creator of what we know as Italian Opera- Gioachino Rossini. When looking at his works, how could you start anywhere but the 1916 super hit, Il Barbiere di Siviglia?

When deciding on which recording to review, I had some major issues (different issues, that is, than the ones that usually preside in my daily life). There are a lot of recordings I listen to on a regular basis, all for different reasons.

One of my absolute favourites is Sir Neville Marriner's stylish 1982 reading with Sir Thomas Allen, Francisco Araiza, Agnes Baltsa, and Robert Lloyd. Thomas Allen rocks the role of Figaro, and Araiza sings Almaviva like a God. Baltsa dances through the opera with that lean tone and glistening high notes we expect from her.

The 1975 recording by James Levine for example is always a solid choice. With singers like, Sherrill Milnes, Nicolai Gedda, and (possibly the greatest Rosina) Beverly Sills, how can you go wrong?

The 2008 live set by Miguel Gómez-Martínez with Nathan Gunn, Elina Garanča, and Lawrence Brownlee is also fun. The first recording of the opera in over a decade, it is live, which is always a draw, and Lawrence Brownlee gives what is possibly the best sung Almaviva in 50+ years. However, while Gunn is incredibly charming, he does lack some of the required bravado to my ear, and Garanča, whose voice has been described as "smoky and voluptuous" doesn't exactly fit the mold of what should be a spirited young girl. She is more of a petulant, young temptress.

Also, one mustn't omit the Leinsdorf recording with Roberta Peters, Robert Merrill, Cesare Valletti and Giorgio Tozzi!

Those are a few examples of many, but to get to the point, I had to chose one. I had decided on the 1962 Glyndebourne set by Vittorio Gui with EMI. Victoria de los Angeles, Sesto Bruscantini as Figaro, and Luigi Alva as Almaviva. Fabulous singing. Wonderful conducting. Possibly lacking in some of the "fun" as it is essentially a come scritto performance that is true to the score for recording purposes, but the conducting is swift and energized and the intent is all in the right place, it is inherently Italianate and who could ask for much more?

At the last minute, I had a change of heart. When all is said and done, I just couldn't bring myself to chose a recording where the Rosina is sung by a soprano. I am, at the core, a huge purist, and while some of the greatest Rosinas have been sopranos, and I would argue that MOST of the recorded documentation is sung by sopranos, we shan't forget that Rossini wrote it FOR a mezzo and it should be cast accordingly. Therefore when push came to shove, I chose this one.

The 1989 Decca disc conducted by Giuseppe Patanè very shortly before his untimely death in München. The cast is Italian and nearly unbeatable.

Figaro - Leo Nucci
Rosina - Cecilia Bartoli
Il Conte d'Almaviva - William Matteuzzi
Bartolo - Enrico Fissore
Basilio - Paata Burchuladze
Ochestra e coro del Teatro Comunale di Bologna

Leo Nucci, perhaps NOW known more for his Verdian singing, shines here as Figaro. A few years before he started in with the heaviest Verdi roles, his voice sounds healthy and effortless. His high As pop off in his entrance aria with precision and plenty of that expected bravado. He plots his way through this score with the confidence that we all wish we had at times, making it more than apparent that he is a native speaker. Constantly playing with the language and colouring the words with every twist and turn of the plot, keeping even the most Italian-impared eager and enthralled.

William Matteuzzi perhaps doesn't have a voice that appeals to everyone, however his light Italian tenor  is suited perfectly to the Rossini and Donizetti repertoire. He uses the voice to act the role from his most noble moments as Count Almaviva to his most silly and drunken moments as Lindoro and his buffo characterization of Basilio in that ridiculously star-crossed voice lesson. In his first act arias, his ornaments gently dance like the flickering flame of a candle and his top notes resonate with ease and charm. It is a shame that for whatever reason he did not sing the final aria on this reading. Cessa di più resistere is by and large one of the most thrilling and challenging bel canto arias for tenori and it is not surprising or unusual that this aria to be cut. Most tenors just simply cannot sing it. I highly encourage you to look up the recording of Francisco Araiza, or more recently, Lawrence Brownlee singing this aria. Their energy and accuracy will amaze you and the shimmering ring of their top notes will leave you nearly speechless.

The bassos are wonderfully sung by Paata Burchuladze (Basilio) and Enrico Fissore (Bartolo) in an admirably buffo style. They bumble and bounce around the score with adequate mischief while trying to foil the romantic intentions of these young lovers. Burchuladze's comic accomplishments are balanced by his vocal prowess, seen with his high G at the end of  La calunnia - reminding us that he focuses much of his time, not with the Buffo roles of Rossini, but the roles of Verdi and the old Russian masters. The equally adept Fissore performs with style the (also often cut) A un dottor della mia sorte with comic flare and relatively clean diction, which is not an easy feat.

At the heart of this blithe and convivial romp of an opera, is the, then, 23 year-old Cecilia Bartoli.  You will not hear the Cecilia here that we all know with her bright, glistening voice that glides through high tessituri with a soprano-like brilliance, but a much more "mezzo-like", rich colour. Her dark, young, taffy-like tone trills and parades through this score with such leisure that one might think it was written for her. Her occasional ornament into her upper-extension is a clear sign as to what her career would eventually become and the low Gs that litter the role are all solid enough. While most mezzos find it difficult to sound youthful and perky, Bartoli seems to manage without the slightest trouble. Her voice, in truth, doesn't have the subtlety and consistency that it has now, but she was 23 and a role recording of this caliber would be a triumph for any 23 year old.

Ultimately what makes this recording so excellent is the fun that they are having. Led by Giuseppe Patanè, we can tell that everyone involved in this recording is truly having a blast doing it. Because the cast (and orchestra) is dominated so heavily by Italians, the words come to life in a funhouse of twisting and twirling that reminds one what Opera Buffa is all about… what Opera is all about… what music is all about.

Joy.

Even the most ängstlich of music is truly about the joy of communicating and relating in some way to the audience. Without that joy of reaching out and touching others, why are we doing this?

This is a fabulous recording. For anyone who isn't a Mezzo or for that matter, a crippling purist like myself, I would HIGHLY recommend the wonderful 1963 recording by Gui with de los Angeles and Bruscantini and Luigi Alva. But one recording that is easily equal, and more accurate historically to what the composer originally intended (which I really support, see: René Jacobs), is this gem. Check it out if you want a good time. ;)

-Christopher Michael Kelley

P.S. Next month... FRENCH!

RECORDING OF THE MONTH- March 2012: TOSCA by PUCCINI

There is not a doubt in my mind that one of my all-time favourite operas has to be Tosca by Giacomo Puccini. One thing people should know about me is that I am a very nostalgic person, and I think my ideal time period to live in would be at the turn of the 20th century. La Belle Époque. It was a time of change, a time of excitement. People all over the world were in such energized anticipation of progress. A feeling that cannot even remotely be understood today when we have everything and our lives SHOULD be simpler than ever before.

This opera embodies the time period it was written in perfectly. Tosca welcomed in the 20th century with its premiere on 14 January 1900. While it has the charm and elegance of more traditional Italian operas, the heavy brass, odd dissonances for theatrical purposes, and declamatory vocal writing are hinting at what is to come in the world of opera. It is a fantastic piece of theatre that embodies everything we love about opera.

If I were asked to name the very best recording of Tosca, I would (after quite a bit of internal debate) probably say the 1953 EMI La Scala set conducted brilliantly by de Sabata with Maria Callas, (a young) Giuseppe di Stefano, and a menacing Tito Gobbi. After all these years, this essentially perfect reading is still unrivaled. De Sabata leads these sacred monsters through the score with intellect, discernment and swiftness. Callas's multi-layered tigress of a Tosca gives unequalled insight to the character. Di Stefano's youthful vigor and still relatively fresh voice touch the audience at a very human level and Gobbi's audible sneer throughout this entirely evil role is immortal.

However… I would rather discuss a different Tosca. This is about a Saturday Matinee Live Broadcast from the Met on 7 April 1962. The cast is as follows:

Floria Tosca - Leontyne Price

Mario Cavaradossi - Franco Corelli

Baron Scarpia - Cornell MacNeil

Sacristan - Ezio Flagello

Angelotti - Norman Scott

Conducted by the Met's Kapellmeister, Kurt Adler.

Even though he is primarily the Chorus Master, he conducts this performance very well with a great understanding of the work. He leads the orchestra clearly and maintains firm order, which is not an easy task with singers like Corelli on stage in front of him. Somehow he keeps in control of the performance while still allowing the freedom and liberties these singers expect. Don't misunderstand though, this is in no way a conductor's performance. This is an old-fashioned singer's afternoon… and with singers like this, that is exactly as it should be.

Franco Corelli is a formidable presence here, after debuting at the Met only the previous season (the same as Price). It is often said that this is NOT the best performance of the still young Corelli, and that is true. His top on this disc doesn't seem quite as easy as it does on other live recordings, and that is saying something. But even with a hint of pushing, he handles this virile role with masculinity and ardor. His opening aria, "Recondita armonia", which acts as a warm up for most tenors in this role, rings true with a voice that appears to be fresh and ready to go, and it should be mentioned that the last phrase is balanced perfectly by Adler with Franco and the French horns. His act one high B on "or vita mi costassi" is among the most alive and thrilling one can hear. You can see that he is still relatively up and coming on this disc. His famous diminuendo in "E lucevan"(which he didn't do in the very beginning of his career) is not quite as balanced as it is sometimes. But overall he epitomizes this role and his chiaro scuro is rivaled ONLY by the likes of del Monaco.

Cornell MacNeil is truly one of the most unsung heroes of the operatic stage of all time. MacNeil had a top that was rarely matched. Cornell MacNeil in his prime was some of the best Verdi Baritone singing the world has ever heard. His Scarpia may not have the intrinsic "snarl" that Gobbi's does, but instead of the slimy, lustful, letch, he plays a more noble, obsessive police chief. Even if one wished for more colours and vocal acting, the role is impeccably sung. You may have other preferences, but you would be hard-pressed to find somebody to sing the role any better. He is an equal match to his two partners in this production.

Even the small roles are filled with singers who are MORE than adequate. Ezio Flagello sings the sacristan with vocal splendor, almost upstaging MacNeil in their scene together. Angelotti is filled with another Met mainstay, the aging, yet more than competent, Norman Scott.

Even with this impressive and skilled roster, it should not be a surprise that the real star here is Leontyne Price. The young price glides through this passionate role with elegance, femininity, and desperation. Her voice seems healthy and lyric. Moments of grandeur and depth lead to bars of fury and fervor that transform to showcase her resplendent high extension like the scene that leads up to "O dolci mani" in act three. It is apparent why she became so associated with "Vissi d'arte" in her time, she sings it with introspection and contemplation that bubbles up like a volcano waiting to erupt and builds to the moment she decides to take matters into her own hands. She may have a slightly less complex character than Callas, but the passion that exudes from every note she sings results in a listening experience that is so thrilling, it could make even the coldest of heart get sucked into this dramatic and theatrical plot line. In her scenes with Corelli, this excitement is doubled.

It makes one think about that fact that this was just another Saturday afternoon at the old Metropolitan Opera. They don't make singers like that anymore. I defy anyone to find me a production from the Met of the last 20 years with it's over trained, under appreciated, and financially burdened singers that comes anywhere near the life-changing thrill of this truly great singing. This is a precious documentation of what opera used to be like. One can only hope we find our way back there.

If you only have one recording of Tosca, I would recommend the EMI disc conducted by de Sabata with Callas , di Stefano, and Gobbi, but if you want a second one that will suck you into its passion, charm and above all, wonderful singing, then find this one.

-Christopher Michael Kelley

PS. Other good options are the 1997 Levine recording with Renata Scotto, Renato Bruson, and Placido Domingo and also, the 1956 Leinsdorf set with Jussi Björling, Zinka Milanov and Leonard Warren...

RECORDING OF THE MONTH- January 2012: COSÌ FAN TUTTE by MOZART (René Jacobs)

This is the last review in my series of René Jacobs's readings of Mozart's Da Ponte operas. It is also my first review of Così fan tutte, which is puzzling as Così is among my all-time favourite operas. I hold firm that this opera contains some of the most thrillingly beautiful music Mozart ever composed, and since it was his 256th birthday yesterday, it seems fitting to me that this opera be reviewed today.

The libretto, that is crafted ingeniously by Da Ponte, carries no proof that there was an original source. While some try to make connections that the idea was taken from a number of sources including but not limited to: the Procris story, Boccaccio, Cervantes, etc, because of similar plot elements (i.e. a wager and a trial of women's fidelity), it is ultimately recognized that the story is entirely original. There is little written on the genesis of the work except that on 31 December 1789 and again in January of 1790, the work was rehearsed in Mozart's apartment with Haydn present. It opened in February in Vienna with five performances before the death of Joseph II which closed down all the theatres; five more performances followed from June to August, and for many years thereafter it was considered one of Mozart's weaker pieces. In Germany and Austria the music was used more often in pastiches than in it's original form. In 1934 it was the second production at Glyndebourne and since then it has taken its rightful place along the other Mozart masterpieces.

Even with its reputation restored however, it tends to be bashed by opera fans and singers alike. I myself have stated that it is nearly impossible to stay awake through the second act aria marathon. It is criticized for the frivolity, triviality, and even chauvinism of the plot. But this story is not any of those things. When one looks closer, this story is nearing the territory of essentially Shakespearean drama (more specifically in many ways, Cymbeline). One must remember during this opera, that while the physical events seem entirely unrealistic and even verge on the absurd, it is not the events that serve as the moral, but what it all stands for - humanity and human frailty.

While the title refers to "Women are all like that"... I argue that at the bottom of it all, even Mozart and the men of the 18th century knew that the point stands that "PEOPLE are all like that." We all fall in love, sometimes with the wrong people and we all make mistakes. We all hurt those we care about and we all are hurt, sooner or later by those we care about the most. We are all but human, and worthy of forgiveness. You can see this built in to the libretto and more importantly the SCORE. The opera is not sexist at all if one is capable of looking at it through non-literal eyes.

There are quite a few wonderful recordings of this beautiful work. Some of my favourites include the 1954 EMI set conducted by Herbert von Karajan and the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Don Alfonso - Sesto Bruscantini

Despina - Lisa Otto

Fiordiligi - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf

Dorabella - Nan Merriman

Guglielmo - Rolando Panerai

Ferrando - Léopold Simoneau

The always exceptional Mozartean, Karl Böhm set from 1962 for EMI is excellent. While the singers admittedly lack the youthful vocal freshness and clarity desired, the conducting is unbeatable.

Don Alfonso - Walter Berry

Despina - Hanny Steffek

Fiordiligi - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf

Dorabella - Christa Ludwig

Guglielmo - Giuseppe Taddei

Ferrando - Alfredo Kraus

Levine's recording is wonderful too. Some of the singers on that reading are simply stellar. Te Kanawa and Hans-Peter Blochwitz shine. Especially Blochwitz, singing one of the most beautiful and effortless Ferrandos I have ever been blessed to hear.

Don Alfonso - Ferruccio Furlanetto

Despina - Marie McLaughlin

Fiordiligi - Kiri Te Kanawa

Dorabella - Ann Murray

Guglielmo - Thomas Hampson

Ferrando - Hans-Peter Blochwitz

This recording by Jacobs with Concerto Köln on period instrumentation, has joined the ranks against these greats.

Don Alfonso - Pietro Spagnoli

Despina - Graciela Oddone

Fiordiligi - Véronique Gens

Dorabella - Bernarda Fink

Guglielmo - Marcel Boone

Ferrando - Werner Güra

From the first chord we hear on this disc in the overture, one can tell that this will be a clean, crisp, and precise ensemble recording of this work that is so dependent on the precision of the ensembles. After the initial statement of the "così fan tutte" theme, it launches into the next section at a brisk tempo that would test any concert master. Like Jacobs's other Da Ponte recordings, his tempi are a bit varied for my taste, but he is an indisputable master of bringing out the drama in these works. Even more so than his other readings, in this Così his fasts are faster and his slows are slower. Accepting these extremes, I will say that they work very well (even if not entirely desired). His Soave sia il vento is slower than most, therefore it is better than most. The majority of conductors take that breathtakingly beautiful trio like a bat out of hell. While that makes it easier to sing for the Fiordiligis that have to float above the other two like a hummingbird suspended, for what seems to these sopranos to be an eternity, these break-neck tempi lose all the poignancy of the moment through a rushed and careless tempo. In a similar fashion, Ferrando and Fiordiligi's act II duet, Fra gli amplessi is taken with a slow, gentle tempo that really brings out probably one of the only truly touching moments of pure, honest love in the whole three hour opera. The same can be said for the letter quintet before the boys are shipped off. Their youthful infatuation and genuine, simple feelings toward each other really are brought to the forefront by the gently flowing counterpoint, composed quite choralistically, constantly swelling and diminishing like the beats of their young fickle young hearts. On the other side of the coin, some moments are taken at a speed that instills a kind of urgency that works brilliantly, i.e. Dorabella's Smanie implacabile and the entirety of the Act I finale. Moments like Una donna a quindic'anni are taken rather slowly for my tastes, and the reason for this illudes me. Whatever the reason, it doesn't distract too much to my thinking, so ultimately it is neither here nor there.

Even with a slightly slower tempo in her second aria (particularly in the beginning), Graciela Oddone gives an outstanding performance here as Despina. She has really made the role her own. She pokes fun at the girls throughout this opera with the wit and a cynical tenderness that makes us love her Despina. Her embellishments and cadenzas are filled with energy and always keep from being too predictable and she attacks her character scenes with such commitment, one cannot help but to chuckle. The arch of her character on this disc is very well balanced and in many reviews she doesn't get the praise I think she has earned. If anyone steals the show here, it is her. Brava.

Her counterpart, the puppet master, Don Alfonso does a very nice job, however his character should capture a bit more attention than he does here. Whether that has to do with the emphasis he is given through the conducting, or whether Pietro Spagnoli just has not done his job well enough, I don't know, but this is one of Mozart's most complicated, human, and vexed characters. We see (or hear in this case) him bubbling over with cynicism and bitterness one minute and then we see his softer side that indicates that he may not truly believe in his heart all these things he is pushing on the boys. I think Spagnoli sings the role very well and colours his recits with a very specific dramatic intent, however, it leaves the listener wanting more. This is a character that so much can be done with. He should be having more fun with this complex role. Alfonso should steal the show.

Véronique Gens gets a lot of praise for this recording, and rightfully so. She is truly at home here. Her tone is warm and rich with a twinge of youthfulness always present. Her recitatives are always spot on and conversational with a momentum from the Pianoforte that only Jacobs recordings can achieve. Her registers fade in and out so beautifully that it makes the audience forget sometimes, just how ridiculous the range really is. What she does best is her unique style of elegance that colours the role from the first note. Her second act aria, Per pieta is one that I have rarely been awake for while seeing this live, but her beautiful legato and always specific intention could keep me engaged from start to finish, even after some muscle relaxants and a Manhattan or two. Equally as good as her Contessa. Probably better.

Bernarda Fink, one of the only singers on this disc (along with Gens to some extent) that were really known of before this, sings Dorabella with a wonderful energy. Her ornaments are interesting, unexpected, and anything but subtle... sort of like Dorabella herself... coincidence? I think not. She keeps up with the racing tempo in her first act aria catching those medling breaths when she can and achieving a perfect breathlessness, whether intentional or not, that is really needed here. Her character is very well thought out and comes through the music and especially through her specific textual emphasis. Really a well crafted interpretation that should be applauded.

The two young soldiers are often criticized for not standing out in this recording. I find, however, that their roles weren't written to stand out quite as much as the girls.

Marcel Boone, is an excellent Guglielmo. Even if he doesn't sing it quite to the level of Hampson, Prey or Panerai, there is nothing I can find wrong with his performance. It is driven by his youthful vigor and cockiness and it sounds as if he is having a blast, and his act II duet with Dorabella is plenty slimy. Could he sing better? Absolutely, but his vocal acting is quite commendable.

Güra's Ferrando gets overlooked quite a bit from reviewers, but I don't really understand why. I think this is one of the best Ferrandos on the market. It rivals John Aler's (Haitink, EMI), Simoneau's (Karajan, EMI), and definitely shows up Kraus's (Böhm, EMI). Kraus was one of the truly great tenors of the 20th century, but his Ferrando I find dull and vocally far too Italianate for my tastes. The only tenor who truly is unmatched in the recording world for this role in my (not so) humble opinion, is Hans-Peter Blochwitz who I mentioned earlier. His Un'aura amorosa is one of my personally most beloved examples of recorded music. It is one of my true zen pieces, and he sings it with a gentle, floating line that makes one forget just how difficult this role is. Güra, though, comes very close. His Ferrando definitely comes through as wide eyed and pretending to be more of a "man" than the "boy" that he really is. His floated Larghetto in the act II duet, Fra gli amplessi is among the most tender renderings of this duet on disc, with his e più se vuoi ascending to a top A with a delicacy that makes the listener's heart hurt from the pangs of their own long past young love. People seem to take for granted the sheer beauty in some recordings, which brings me to one of my soap boxes: Pure beauty for beauty's sake is something that these new generations don't give enough credit to. Sometimes one doesn't need grand statements about society or satirical portaits to make something meaningful, but just a moment of beauty for no other reason than to experience beauty - something that only humans can create out of essentially nothing. Is that not what humanity is all about? Isn't that really what ART is all about?

Even with a lot of the cast not particularly standing out in their solo efforts, what makes this recording so phenomenal is the ensemble. Definitely the most ensemble based of all of Mozart's operas, the tightness of this cast and conductor reminds us how wonderful this opera can be. The polish that this disc contains is something that few other recordings can match. It is definitely a Così like none other on disc, but it is also one you will never forget.

Jacobs's witty and historically informed Da Ponte readings are bound to start redefining the way the next generation thinks about Mozart, and considering it is based less on "tradition" and more on historical performance practice, the way it was "intended" to be heard, I think this is exactly the direction we SHOULD be going with Mozart. All three of these recordings I have reviewed as of late are essential recordings that any lover of music and more specifically opera should have on their shelf (or on their hard drive as the 21st century case may be...).

While these recordings definitely receive mixed reviews from the purists, and I myself am drawn usually to simpler more traditional performances. But it is so very important to continue to look at pieces through new lenses and with different intentions. I try to constantly remind myself that if I have stopped changing my mind, I have in effect stopped thinking. These recordings are a perfect way to keep us from getting too stuck in our ways.

- Christopher Michael Kelley

RECORDING OF THE MONTH- December 2011: DON GIOVANNI by MOZART (René Jacobs)

Jacobs's Don Giovanni, like his Le Nozze di Figaro, is anything but expected. He has never been one to follow the mainstream.

If you have read my blog in June 2010, you know my intense appreciation for Giulini's 1959 Don Giovanni. Wächter, Taddei, Sutherland, Schwarzkopf, Alva, Sciutti et al. I think that for all it's worth, Giulini's is the closest one can get to a perfect Don Giovanni. I still feel that way... BUT this set is a close second in many ways, and as far as period practice, it is nigh unto perfect. That is René Jacobs's intention. It seems odd to me that a recording that is based on historical fact and what we know to be Mozart's intentions could be considered new, innovative and groundbreaking... but somehow, all of Jacobs's Mozart recordings are.

But even with controversy (this recording, chalk full of appogiaturas, sudden tempo changes and occasional ornamentation), is among the greatest documentations of the work on disc.

The cast is as follows:

Don Giovanni - Johannes Weisser

Leporello - Lorenzo Ragazzo

Donna Anna - Olga Pasichnyk

Don Ottavio - Kenneth Tarver

Donna Elvira - Alexandrina Pendatchanska

Zerlina - Sunhae Im

Masetto - Nicolay Borchev

Commendatore - Alessandro Guernzoni

Just like his Nozze, Jacobs really emphasizes the drama on this disc above all else. One device that he tends to use for this drama is the use of sudden dramatic tempo changes. I am not entirely convinced on this. One of the brilliant things about Mozart (especially in his Da Ponte settings) is his use of basically one consistant tempo throughout the entire opera. But while his tempo shifts obliterate THAT aspect, they keep the listener entirely engaged in the drama. Like his other recordings, the continuo keeps the recitativo secco moving with a clear and distinct purpose and dramatic intention. Some may think that this kind of solo continuo commentary is great for the buffos like Nozze, but for the more serious plot lines, it is distracting. I can see that, however I find the pianoforte player to alter the manner in which he improvises perfectly for the darker ambience. With that said, in this Dramma giacoso Jacobs tends to on occasion focus a little too heavily on the "giacoso" part for my tastes. Although I admit, in current productions, it does have a tendency to over play the drama, making it too heavy. Jacobs was quoted calling it, "the least known of the Da Ponte operas, even though it's the most frequently performed" he goes on to say, "we much prefer the risk of displeasing the public to betraying the work." This is a sentiment I can get behind. I think the opera world needs more people who think like that.

In the accompanying booklet he discusses some of the decisions he made for those who question his judgement. In particular, his choice of doing the Vienna production of 1788. This differs from the usual pastiche one sees of the Vienna production combined with the Prague production for crowd- and singer-pleasability. He choses to be faithful to one version in its entirety. The only real noticeable differences are a chunk in the middle of act two completely rewritten and the exclusion of Don Ottavio's aria Il mio tesoro. The other decision the ignorant music world questions is his casting of Don Giovanni in Johannes Weisser.

This young Norwegian lyric baritone was 27 years old at the time of the recording. When one thinks of some of the most famous Don Giovannis over the last 100 years, they include Ezio Pinza, George London and Cesare Siepi... I much prefer the young, fresh Weisser to all of the above. If you would like a refresher on WHY, please refer back to my previous Don Giovanni blog here.

Weisser approaches this young, licentious nobleman from a very understated place. No grand gestures intended to symbolize all evil in the world or anything... just exactly what the character requires. A young, over privileged, guy with enough power and money to make Solomon blush, and nothing to do with it. His outlet has become chasing women. He is charming, good-looking, selfish and rich. We all know somebody like that. That is what Da Ponte's characters are all about. Not symbols and statements, just honest human characters. Weisser struts and dances through the score with his light, silvery baritone. He delivers a slower tempo, but high energy 'finch'han dal vino' before the act 1 finale, he floats through 'Deh vieni alla finestra' in act 2 with a finesse that could woo the coldest of spinster house maids, with ornamentation that is neither expected nor forced. His blood curdling scream at the end of the opera as he is drug down to Hell is perhaps the most convincing I have heard on record. His style of seduction is deferent from the way it is usually heard, and probably a much more effective strategy in all honesty. His approach is that of overtly sweet and gentle, which woos the ladies into a false sense of security that they realize only after he has already deserted them. One may prefer a bit more bravura and blatant arrogance in their Don Giovanni, but his is definitely fresh. He is young and has a long way to go still in his career. His voice will become better with age and his characterization of this great role will grow with time and experience, but his first documentation of the role here is of an incredibly respectable quality and uniqueness that should be applauded. 

His partner in crime, for the most part against his will, is Leporello. Sung here by a friend of ours, Lorenzo Ragazzo, whom we heard as Figaro in Jacobs's Nozze recording. This role may be an even better fit than his wonderful rendition of Figaro. He retains all of the buffo aspects of his character being one of the most successfully comedic examples of the role I have heard on record. His almost flawless Leporello is filled with thousands of mercurial acting nuances that come through the voice as clearly as if we were watching him live.

Alexandrina Pendatchanska brings a truly Bulgarian flare to this hot-blooded lady. She really makes clear the indecision of the character as to whether she hates Giovanni with a passion or is still madly in love with him. She is obviously a favourite of Jacobs as she was previously heard as an excellent Vitellia on his La Clemenza di Tito recording. Even with her excellent portrayal, and characterization I feel as if she may be slightly miscast. Throughout the set one can hear her constant struggle as to whether to "let it out" or hold back in a more lyrical manner. It feels through much of the opera as if she is holding back beyond what is truly comfortable. Is it possible her voice is just too large for this Mozartean role???

The other soprano here with a slightly Slavic flare is the Ukrainian Olga Pasichnyk as Donna Anna. Some reviewers say she is a bit too much of a drama queen, some say she often hovers dangerously close to being flat and is reluctant to give the character any real dramatic dimension... in lieu of these contrary statements I will say that she sings the role with the drama of a young girl who doesn't understand these new feelings she is experiencing and she sometimes tends to project a very inward interpretation which could be explained by somebody who is uncomfortable with all these feelings that they do not truly understand. Her voice is clear and distinct with a nice intention behind every phrase. Pasichnyk's rendering of Donn'Anna's final aria, "Non mi dir, bell'idol mio" is quite possibly the most breathtakingly gorgeous version of the aria I have ever heard in my life. Making even Dame Joan Sutherland's pale in comparison. As a singer with a voice of notable size, she maintains throughout the aria a dynamic that begs the listener to stop what they're doing and listen that much closer. She glides through the long, soaring lines with a warm, but glistening tone and a liquid legato that if one allows, could bring tears to the eyes of even the most hardened among us. The way she sails through just about the longest phrase I have ever heard, from ch'io mora in measure 46 through a beautiful embellishment and on through the opening phrase of the next section, on one impeccable breath can truly stop the listeners breathing and slow the heart rate, as if they are suspended in a stratosphere of pure beauty for just that one moment… and isn't that what art is all about?

Sunhae Im brings a one of a kind sass to Zerlina that gives her a fresh new attitude problem that works wonders for the character. Don't you tire of the little innocent, naive, BORING way most people play that role? Her two arias, which we have all heard sung badly an uncountable number of times, have new life here with elegant phrasing, dramatic intention and unique ornamentation. Masetto is adequately buffo-ish and The Commendatory is stately enough, but obviously can't compare in vocal stature to Gottlob Frick, or even more so, Matti Talvela on Böhm's set.

Last but certainly not least is Kenneth Tarver as Don Ottavio. He sings with a light, lyric fortitude that fits the music vocally perfect. His diction is clear, his tone gorgeous and lean and his understanding of this young man's struggle over the course of the opera is rarely heard with such honesty in opera houses today. While I completely support Jacobs's choice to be faithful to the Viennese Version, I find it a great shame that we don't get to hear Tarver sing the wonderful "Il mio tesoro" as well. But if I have to choose one, "Dalla sua pace" satisfies entirely. And it may be worth losing "Il mio tesoro" to get Elvira's final aria,  "Mi tradi"in the Vienna version.

Years ago Maria Callas criticized the habit of performers to sing and play Mozart as if they were on their "tip-toes." It doesn't take a musicologist to see that this is exactly what René Jacobs wanted to break down with these Mozart recordings. And with the exception perhaps of Alexandrina Pendatchanska's cautious approach to Donna Elvira's music, he has done this excellently. Not by rethinking the older customs, but by returning to what may have been the original intent.

One of the greatest Don Giovanni recordings available, it hasn't replaced my Giulini recording, but it has a very well earned spot on my shelf right next to it and the Gardiner set with Gilfry.

- Christopher Michael Kelley

(Next month: Così fan tutte by René Jacobs)

RECORDING OF THE MONTH- November 2011: LE NOZZE DI FIGARO by MOZART (René Jacobs)

It has been quite a while since I have written a review here. My apologies. Sometimes life just gets the best of you. Also, I know that I have already written a review on Le Nozze di Figaro. This is the first review of a three part series. René Jacobs has recorded six of Mozart's operas to date. He started by recording the two late Opera Seria pieces, Idomeneo and La Clemenza di Tito. The idea was to give them new life. By performing them as close as possible to what we think/know Mozart wanted and expected in the original performances, we rid ourselves of the stale and sometimes odd and even inappropriate traditions previously associated with Mozart. He brought the Opera Seria pieces back to life and gave them a new energy. Then, as is only logical, he moved to the da Ponte operas. Three operas that are the backbone of everything that opera is today. In my opinion these operas NEEDED this. He reminded us what it is all about.

What is different you may ask? Well first of all, he matches somewhat more closely the singers' ages with the roles they are singing. What a novel idea! What else? He uses period instruments and performance practice, and really what makes these recordings alive, great and SO much better than the others is the recit. He treats the recit as music. Not just the boring stuff that gets you to the next aria, and that is so important in Mozart.

The rhythms and speech patterns mirror the language and conversation so perfectly even those who do not speak Italian can understand to an extent what is going on. It is as if this whole opera is happening in real time. This, of course, all rests on the continuo player on the Pianoforte, Nicolau de Figueiredo. Undoubtedly the best I have ever heard in my life, recorded or live. He keeps the energy going by a constant arpeggio that mirrors the natural tempo of the conversation, he slips in an occasional musical reference from somewhere else in the opera, acting as much as a commentator on the action as he is an accompanist. If this were live, the audience would hardly need supertitles at all.

The one thing that separates these recordings most from all others is a very controversial topic - Ornamentation. A very large number of people in and out of the business are mortally offended by ornamentation in Mozart, which quite frankly is completely ridiculous.

Yes, Mozart was the first to start writing out "exactly" what he wanted, so you can't go as crazy as you would with Handel. But part of that is just because you don't NEED to. The music by itself is phenomenal... not something you can say for most Baroque composers...

But it is indisputable that BAROQUE was the musical world he came from. The performance practices of that time period did NOT just disappear over night. When he wrote operas, he knew that some ornamentation would be happening. That is just what the singers of the time period did. It's a fact. These recordings show us that, and it is all the better for it. Do I love every ornament and embellishment that is done? No. But that's not the point. Each singer has their own take on the music, but how exciting is it to know that it won't be exactly the same as all the other Nozze recordings?!.....and honestly, the decorations and embellishments that are on this disc were chosen very carefully, and not one of them distract from the music.

Now that that's out of the way, on with René Jacobs's recording of Le Nozze di Figaro for Harmonia Mundi.

Lorenzo Regazzo - Figaro

Patrizia Ciofi - Susanna

Véronique Gens - La Contessa

Simon Keenlyside - Il Conte

Angelika Kirchschlager - Cherubino

Marie McLaughlin - Marcellina

Antonio Abete - Bartolo

Kobie van Rensburg - Basilio/Curzio

Everybody who has read this blog knows that I ALWAYS favour older recordings. I personally feel like contemporary singers and especially conductors have lost any sense of individuality. No style of their own. No reason to listen to them. But this has slowly but surely become my favourite Nozze recording. Hands down.

René Jacobs, originally from Ghent, Belgium, started his career as a boy chorister in the cathedral there. When he grew up, he continued to sing and became one of the best countertenors of his time. He made many recordings of lesser known baroque works and as countertenors have a relatively short lifespan, he moved his attentions to conducting. And the world should be thanking him for this.

Lorenzo Regazzo is a fantastic Figaro. They finally got it right. They cast a bass in the role, but a bass that DOESN'T sound like an old man! Even with his dark tone, he sounds young and vibrant with all the the masculine virility that Figaro needs. His expertly executed embellishments in "Non piu andrai" are the only thing keeping me engaged during that aria. Why that is the most famous aria in this opera I will never know. But with his energetic and convivial ornaments, it brings the close of act one to life in a way that draws the listener in. He is a particularly strong Figaro, but encompasses such a wide range of feeling we remember how human these characters are. We get the bitter and aggressive determination in "Se vuol ballare" and gentle, love struck relief at the end with "Pace, pace mio dolce tesoro." The way he interacts with the count is ideal. The constant back and forth, chess-like struggle for power between the two is clearly audible.

It is a back and forth game of wits for the whole opera between Figaro and the Count. And Simon Keenlyside is a perfect match. The energy reminds us that these are two YOUNG guys with a power struggle. One has a title and one has brains. Through Keenlyside's articulation and style alone, one can hear him for what he is. He has inherited all of this very young and he has never wanted for anything... until now. He is spoiled and selfish and because of his wild Spanish temper, he can at times lose control and become dangerous... but at the core, he is just a kid who wants his way. He isn't a horrible person. Keenlyside's may be among the best Counts ever recorded on disc. He is particularly strong in the menacing sections like in the act II trios and the act III duet with Susanna.

Patrizia Ciofi's Susanna is absolutely delightful. I may be inclined to cast a slightly lighter voice in the role, but she handles the lighter colours and playfulness with an excellent distinction. One can almost hear the laughter when she is dressing up Cherubino like a girl. Her "Deh vieni" breathes naturally. The slower tempo accentuates the sensuality that is inherent in this beautiful, secret declaration of love. Some may argue that she slightly over does the embellishments, but whether it is your personal preference or not, it maintains the appropriate style and mood and she executes it beautifully. This aria is where the heavier voice really does pay off in it's rich, warm colours.

Speaking of Cherubino, a better Cherubino has never been heard. Angelika Kirchschlager keeps the adolescent boy alive and well. Every line is delivered with an urgency that truly only exists in the realm of adolescence. Her ornamentation is fantastic and suits the arias perfectly, reminiscent of the version of "Voi che sapete" with the ornaments written out in Mozart's own hand.

Véronique Gens is a great Contessa. Adequately girlish, yet quite obviously on the verge of womanhood. Reminding us all that this is the same Rosina that was wooed only a few years earlier in The Barber of Seville. She was 16 then... so it stands to reason that she can't be any older than 20. Directors and actors alike tend to forget this fact. Her "Porgi amor" is beautifully shaped and moulded, and her "Dove sono" is spirited and lively with an energy of new hope only accentuated by her excellent ornaments.

The rest of the cast is excellent. Bartolo spectacular and Marcellina and Basilio, great enough to get their act 4 arias left in. I do think Nuria Rial has a beautifully rich, warm tone that has no business singing a role like Barbarina. This role should be exclusive territory of soubrettes. That is the only way any of her (small) contribution to the plot makes any sense at all.

Now on to Jacobs conducting, aside from his earth shattering addition of ornamentation... (sarcasm).

His orchestral balance is entirely unusual. Those who are used to a Solti or Karajan-like orchestra will hardly recognize this opera with its wind-heavy orchestral balance. The strings never take a position of having the main line, and this is completely appropriate for Mozart and his time period. A tradition that should have been corrected some time ago. Jacob's tempi are honestly freer than the majority of conductors. The count's authoritative pronouncements are taken at a quicker tempo for an extra kick of decisiveness. There are other moments of this kind of flexibility as well, like in the act 3 duet of Susanna and the Count, and while sometimes they can be disconcerting, they always have excellent dramatic intention... which IS the point, so it is easily forgiven. His tempi on the whole tend to be on the quick side but he knows where to give it time. Notably in Marcellina-Susanna's duet, the fandango and the last scene in G major when the Count begs forgiveness.

René Jacobs is reviving Mozart. Bringing it back to what it was intended to be. Not a museum exhibition, but a living breathing organism that when performed, through it's humanity and life can touch even the coldest hearted and uncultured among us.

- Christopher Michael Kelley

(Next month: Don Giovanni by René Jacobs)

RECORDING OF THE MONTH- July 2011: Schubert's Winterreise with Gerald Moore 1955/ Hotter vs. Fischer-Dieskau

Franz Schubert, possibly among the most underrated of all composers (in my humble opinion), composed his second song cycle, die Winterreise D.911 between 1827 and 1828. It was 5 years after his first cycle and 5 years after he had been diagnosed with syphilis: the disease which went on to take his life at the young age of barely 31 years of age.

By the time he was writing Winterreise, his illness was rather advanced and this song cycle took up the majority of his time and energy. It seems to have excited him from the beginning, as is shown in his friend, Joseph Spaun's description of the first 'performance' of the cycle, Schubert playing and singing it to his friends at Schober's (another friend) house. Spaun reports that when they didn't particularly care much for the gloomy, mournful tone of the pieces, Schubert said to them, "I like these songs more than all the rest, and you will come to like them as well."

The cycle was written in two halfs. The first, dating to February 1827, and the second, later in 1828. It comprised of 24 poems by Wilhelm Müller. The song cycle is not composed in the same order as the poems were originally published. Some singers in the past have attempted to perform the songs in their original, poetic line-up, but these performances always feel rather contrived and affected. The trust must be given to Franz Schubert.

We see how much these songs took of Schubert's time in the letters and accounts of his friends. By January 1828 he was rarely seen attending the still popular Schubertiads. His friend and poet, Mayrhofer noticed this change not only in his life, but in the music as well.

The choice of Winterreise proved how much more serious the composer had become. Seriously ill for a long time - winter had set in for him.

It is true that his music had undergone a major change in this time. Take for example the opening bars of "Gute Nacht", the first song of the cycle. It opens with a pulsating wandering motive similarly to that in Die schöne Müllerin... but the radical difference in feeling that is evoked shows just how much he had grown in those years since his illness had set in.

This cycle probably proves as the pinnacle of his compositional acheivements, however it is a different kind of composition than his Ballad like Lieder such as Erlkönig and Gretchen am Spinnrade, but Müller was not Goethe. He was a different type of poet. The unpretentiousness and simplicity of Müller's poems are matched by the simplicity of Schubert's musical settings. "His sole interest is in the depth of feeling, not in psychological over-refinements" says Fischer-Dieskau.

Franz Schubert took a group of relatively unexciting, mediocre poetry and made it a cycle that changed Lieder forever and literally defined what a "song cycle" is.

Out of the many wonderful recordings that have been made, two in particular stand out. The fascinating coincidence is that these two were recorded in the same year with the same pianist.

1955 with Gerald Moore

Hans Hotter vs. Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau

Hotter's recording was released first and by '55 he was a very well established and respected singer in the world of opera and Lieder. Especially recognized for his Winterreise. Fischer-Dieskau was barely 30 years old upon this release and was not yet recognized as the Lied interpreting champion that he would one day become.

Gerald Moore is undoubtedly among the greatest collaborative pianists to have ever lived and graced the world of Lieder. The way he articulates these pieces shows a superlative artistry that has yet to be beaten. In particular, his use of subtle and varied stacatto in pieces like "Gefor'ne Tränen", "Auf dem Flusse", and "Letzte Hoffnung" is especially noteworthy in the perfect creation atmosphere, something so many pianists through the years have failed at. He was one of the first pianists to move beyond the role of accompanist and show us all how much of a partner pianist and singer need to be in this artform. The music that comes out of his fingers is entirely motivated by the text and the communication of whoever is on the other side of that keyboard. Listening to these two recordings exhibits this as clear as day.

First of all, probably the biggest difference between these two artists (Hotter and D. F.-D.) is that Hotter's approach is the perfect example of communicating these texts without "acting them out"... he communicates every emotion and evokes every mood in an effective and personal way while always maintaining a feel of "3rd person." He narrates and comments on the events of the sad wanderer while watching over. Fischer-Dieskau is much more personally involved with his interpretation. He feels what this anonymous lover is feeling. He sucks us into this epilogue of sorts and when he weeps, we weep, when he has a glimmering moment of hope (however much in vain) we feel that glimmer.

The atmosphere that is set by Hotter's readings is a heavy one. This is not a recording that one can casually listen to while getting ready for a dinner party. The haunting, morose feelings that it leaves with the listener will linger like the love that was lost before this cycle even begins. This cycle, while performed originally by a baritone, was actually composed for high voice. Hotter, being a bass, transposes these songs down quite a bit, doing this, they sometimes lose some of their brilliance of tone. They get a bit muddled in the lower registers and even in the top, clarity is not necessarily his strongest suit. Word colouring and the ability to evoke through the means of language, however, are. His dark, molasses-like voice in pieces like "Die Krähe" send a chill down the spine of any coherent listener.

The young Fischer-Dieskau may not have the advantage of years under his belt, but he has the unique gift of individualizing words. Of all the words sung in these 24 poems, while one listens to it, it feels as if no word is ever repeated. The ups and downs of this cycle are showcased by his vigorous colour shifts. Especially in the early songs of the journey, his occasional outbursts leave the listener nothing less than slightly disturbed. His unmatched clarity of tone and language creates a delicacy and subtleness that chills the listener like a ghost recalling these distant and painful memories. Instead of just presenting a dejected lover who has lost hope, he lets us into these poems in a way that makes US the lover, he finds his way into that small hidden place in us and forces us to feel.

Each artist has a stamp of uniqueness by the way they each end the final song. Fischer-Dieskau goes out with a bang and proclaims the final line, with a harsh fortitude, while Hotter fades away like the fine morning mist. What each means to a listener could be infinite, but I am not writing about the psychological implications of Schubert's view of the meaning of Müller's texts. It's about two documentations that one can experience to form their own comprehensions.

Of all the recordings that exist, these two fascinate me most. Other excellent variations are Gerhard Hüsch, Julius Patzak's, Peter Pears's (which uses the some of the original versions of Schubert's songs, before the revision), Matthias Goerne's live recording with Alfred Brendel, Christian Gerhaher's and Fischer-Dieskau's version from 1966 with Jörg Demus (Dietrich's favorite of all the versions he recorded). Some of them are in the original keys which gives them an intricacy that can be lost when transposed down.

Two other recordings of note: Christopher Maltman's latest Wigmore Hall performance with Graham Johnson. He has new transpositions that put the songs very high in the baritone voice so as to counter the original keys better that sit very high in the tenor voice. Also the Peter Harvey's recording with Gary Cooper. They perform on a period Pianoforte and in a period temperament, so it can occasionally sound lightly out of tune to our 21st century ear, but is probably closer to Schubert's sound world that the piece was written in.

Of the two that were discussed, if I had to choose one, I would choose Fischer-Dieskau's. I believe that it is the recording that set the new standard for all Lieder that has been performed and/or recorded since. I think it has more "life" and brings the listener into a more personal and intimate place. However, Hotter has a very unique way of making that original text shine through Schubert's music with a life of its own.

Two must have recordings for any fan of Lieder or art song.

-Christopher Michael Kelley