Beethoven - Fidelio / Benacková · Rolfe Johnson · Vogel · I. Raimondi · Ainsley · Wilson-Johnson · Sir Charles Mackerras

Ludwig van Beethoven (Artist), Charles Mackerras (Artist), Gabriela Benacková (Artist), Anthony Rolfe Johnson (Artist), Scottish Chamber Orchestra (Artist), Edinburgh Festival Chorus (Artist), Siegfried Vogel (Artist), Franz-Josef Kapellmann (Artist), Ildikó Raimondi (Artist), John Mark Ainsley (Artist), David Wilson-Johnson (Artist), Elaine Martone (Artist), Erica Brenner (Artist), Martin Atkinson (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 24, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B0000064U4
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #424,998 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Fidelio, opera, Op. 72: Overture

2. Fidelio, opera, Op. 72: Act 1. No. 1.: 'Jetzt, Schätzchen, jetzt sind wir allein'

3. Fidelio, opera, Op. 72: Act 1. No. 1.: 'Der arme Jaquino dauert mich'

4. Fidelio, opera, Op. 72: Act 1. No. 2.: 'O wär ich schon mit vereint'

5. Fidelio, opera, Op. 72: Act 1. No. 2.: 'Marzelline! Ist Fidelio noch nicht zurück?'

6. Fidelio, opera, Op. 72: Act 1. No. 3.: 'Mir ist so wunderbar'

7. Fidelio, opera, Op. 72: Act 1. No. 3.: 'Höre, Fidelio'

8. Fidelio, opera, Op. 72: Act 1. No. 4.: 'Hat man micht auch Gold beineben'

9. Fidelio, opera, Op. 72: Act 1. No. 4.: 'Ihr könnt das leicht sagen, Meister Rocco'

10. Fidelio, opera, Op. 72: Act 1. No. 5.: 'Gut, Söhnchen, gut'

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Fidelio, opera, Op. 72: Act 2. No. 11.: 'Gott! Welch Dunkel hier!'

2. Fidelio, opera, Op. 72: Act 2. No. 12.: 'Wie kalt ist es in diesem'

3. Fidelio, opera, Op. 72: Act 2. No. 12a.: 'Nur hurtig fort, nur frisch gegraben'

4. Fidelio, opera, Op. 72: Act 2. No. 12a.: 'Er erwacht!'

5. Fidelio, opera, Op. 72: Act 2. No. 13.: 'Euch werde Lohn in bessern Welten'

6. Fidelio, opera, Op. 72: Act 2. No. 13.: 'Alles ist bereit'

7. Fidelio, opera, Op. 72: Act 2. No. 14.: 'Er sterbe! Doch er soll erst wissen'

8. Fidelio, opera, Op. 72: Act 2. No. 14.: 'Vater Tocco, der Herr Minister kommt an!'

9. Leonore Overture No. 3 in C major, Op. 72b

10. Fidelio, opera, Op. 72: Act 2. No. 14.: 'Meine Lenore, was hast du für mich getan!'

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful!, March 19, 2006

By 

Opera Diva - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven - Fidelio / Benacková · Rolfe Johnson · Vogel · I. Raimondi · Ainsley · Wilson-Johnson · Sir Charles Mackerras (Audio CD)

This has to be one of the best recordings of Beethoven's only opera. The cast is superb, with perhaps the exception of Czech soprano Benackova, but she gets the job done. Ildiko Raimondi sings a charming Marzelline, though her voice often overpowers and outshines Benackova's Leonore. Vogel is a convincing Rocco. The baritone who sings the villainous role of Don Pizarro gives an outstanding performance. His act I aria sends chills down my spine every time I listen to it! You can hear the absolute hatred in his voice as he reflects on his plan to murder Florestan. Definitely one of the highlights of this recording! Florestan is sung very well, however, there are moments in his act II aria where it seems as though the role is too demanding on his voice. The other, smaller roles are also well sung.

I love Mackerras' conducting in this recording. His tempi are as close to perfect as I have found. This is particularly noticeable in the opening duet, which is often taken far too slowly. The music moves along smoothly, bringing out the drama in the story line, rather than hindering it, as in other recordings I have heard.

The balance between the orchestra and the singers is wonderful, and the sound quality in general is excellent. A must buy for any lover of opera!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clarity, May 30, 2005

By 

Stephan Fay (Panamá City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beethoven - Fidelio / Benacková · Rolfe Johnson · Vogel · I. Raimondi · Ainsley · Wilson-Johnson · Sir Charles Mackerras (Audio CD)

This recording reproduces everything with clarity and strong presence, thanks to the smaller forces of the orchestra and the period brass instruments.