Customer Reviews

Berg: Lulu

5 star:		(3)
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Berg's Lulu has always been one of my favorite 20th century operas. Act three was completed years after Berg's death, had it's premier in Paris in 1979, with Boulez conducting and Teresa Stratas as Lulu. After years of listening to the two act version with it's act three filler (a musical Venus without arms) this was a revelation. I was thrilled. This version, done in English is a real page turner... the music, it's just wonderful... Have our ears adjusted at last to 12 tone music? Who knew Berg's music would sound so beautiful, so accessible when mated with the english language... this text really communicates. It's so multi-layered. This version sits well along side Boulez's DGG recording of Lulu with Teresa Stratas. In my dreams, Berg's Lulu has always been on my "opera in English" wish list. My hats off to Chandos for bringing it forward, to the English National Opera Orchestra, to the singer's for their tight knit ensemble work and to Lisa Saffer as Lulu.

After seeing Lisa portray Lulu at ENO, I wondered how much of the strength of the production was due to the fact that she was the perfect Lulu on stage. This CD did not disappoint. Her interpretation shines on disc along with the rest of the fine cast.

The production quality is superb. The orchestration is superb. The singing is superb. The performance is not only excellent but pretty cheap as opera goes with a full libretto!

Since listening to this performance, I was so impressed that I ordered the Boulez Lulu (the more expensive one with Libretto) because I want to have one that is in the original language. I don't know how good the Boulez recording and performance is, but if it is on par with this one I will be very happy.