When I was new to opera it was Done Giovanni that captured me - the mix of comedy and pathos was compelling, a form rarely seen in other works. Later it was La Boheme - Puccini's utter mastery of the way people interact & his gift for putting that in the music is why IMO his work remains in the Standard Repertory. Later I came to appreciate Strauss and especially Der Rosenkavalier. The Final Trio and conclusion of Act 3 may be the best music ever composed for the opera stage. How Strauss gets into the music the feelings of all three women, himself being a man, is one of the mysteries of art. And what music!! Then he spends his last days writing lieder that are to the 20th century what Schubert and Schumann are to the 19th century (perhaps only Britten or Rorem approach him). I've three recordings of the Four Last Songs with additional selections from his songs for voice and orchestra (Felicity Lott, Heather Harper, and Elizabeth Schwartzkopf). I treasure them.
Agree. I used the power of YouTube to find 50+ recordings there so I could create a playlist of interpretations. And think of the historical trio of singers who've sung it! Lehmann, Stevens, Farrell; Schwartzkopf, Ludwig, Stitch-Randall; Crespin, Söderström, Rothenberger; Te Kanawa, von Stade, Battle; Fleming, Graham, Bonney!
Beautifully said. It's truly amazing how many quotes I founds from sopranos that said "Strauss fits me like a glove!" How is that possible?!? it is one of the mysteries of art, you are right.
French composer Claude Debussy said, “Music is the space between the notes" and I can feel that deeply with Strauss - especially in Morgen with Fischer-Dieskau and Wolfgang Sawallish.
Such beautiful singing, beautiful music, different delivery from both singers but both did the job of reminding me how much of a difference music and singing can make to my day. I so needed this today and it did its magic wonderfully. Thank you Michele
When I was new to opera it was Done Giovanni that captured me - the mix of comedy and pathos was compelling, a form rarely seen in other works. Later it was La Boheme - Puccini's utter mastery of the way people interact & his gift for putting that in the music is why IMO his work remains in the Standard Repertory. Later I came to appreciate Strauss and especially Der Rosenkavalier. The Final Trio and conclusion of Act 3 may be the best music ever composed for the opera stage. How Strauss gets into the music the feelings of all three women, himself being a man, is one of the mysteries of art. And what music!! Then he spends his last days writing lieder that are to the 20th century what Schubert and Schumann are to the 19th century (perhaps only Britten or Rorem approach him). I've three recordings of the Four Last Songs with additional selections from his songs for voice and orchestra (Felicity Lott, Heather Harper, and Elizabeth Schwartzkopf). I treasure them.
Agree. I used the power of YouTube to find 50+ recordings there so I could create a playlist of interpretations. And think of the historical trio of singers who've sung it! Lehmann, Stevens, Farrell; Schwartzkopf, Ludwig, Stitch-Randall; Crespin, Söderström, Rothenberger; Te Kanawa, von Stade, Battle; Fleming, Graham, Bonney!
Beautifully said. It's truly amazing how many quotes I founds from sopranos that said "Strauss fits me like a glove!" How is that possible?!? it is one of the mysteries of art, you are right.
French composer Claude Debussy said, “Music is the space between the notes" and I can feel that deeply with Strauss - especially in Morgen with Fischer-Dieskau and Wolfgang Sawallish.
I dare say most singers were terrified of ELEKTRA and SALOME...
Agree with that! My reason for mentioning vocally demanding....while he understood the voice he didn't make it easy to pull it off!
Pauline could always try for him; believe me.
And Maria Jeritza in Newark was there for him too
Such beautiful singing, beautiful music, different delivery from both singers but both did the job of reminding me how much of a difference music and singing can make to my day. I so needed this today and it did its magic wonderfully. Thank you Michele