Customer Reviews

Handel: Julius Caesar

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a very good recording for those who don't mind that it is in german (not italian) and that it is relativly old (recorded live in 1965). That means, it was recorded even before the well known american "revival" of the opera at the New York City Opera with Sills and Treigle 1967. The performers are excellent, some of the best german opera singers of this time. It should be remarked, however, that Julius Caesar is performed by a basso, W. Berry - the countertenor wasn't "a la mode" in this times.

Very enjoyable singing, and I personally prefer a baritone as Caesar. But buyers be warned - the sound is really very poor. It sounds like someone recorded a radio broadcast. The final chorus of the opera actually fades out - I'm not sure why they did this, but it certainly makes for a great disappointment. Can you imagine "fading out" of a Handel opera, like some second rate pop song. This is a recording for a true connosseur of opera, who can overlook these glaring defects for the excellent music-making beneath.

This is a brilliant recording, performed by a 'modern size' orchestra and a cast of Wagner singers. What you get is an energetic, high spirited performance. The singers, lead by a superstar cast of Walter Barry, Lucia Popp, Fritz Wunderlich and Christa Ludwig, all displayed great technical and emotional skill that brings out the best in the music. With a big orchestra, every little detail (especially the oft neglected bass continuos) can be heard loud and clear.

Despite a few 'authentic' boo-boos, this CD performance is by no means out-dated even judging by today's standards. Ornamentation is sparse, and at times the odd aria is a little slow or fast, and the show is in German, but based on the overall performance I recommend this set nonetheless.

Plus, this is the probably the only full recording (at 3 CDs) that you can find at budget price, so this the de-facto 'definitive' budget price recording!

This recording is the same as Handel: Julius Caesar - only that, despite the image suggesting otherwise, the other one has been digitially remastered. We ended up being so disappointed by this version that we bought the other one too - and what a difference! Even though this one costs significantly less, it is still a waste of money. Unfortunately, both recordings have no libretto.

This is a fantastic performance of one of Handel's greatest operas. How can you go wrong? This work stars four of the greatest German singers of the 20th century--Walter Berry as Caesar, Christa Ludwig as Cornelia, Fritz Wunderlich as Sextus and Lucia Popp as Cleopatra, not to mention that the Munich Philharmonic is conducted by Ferdinand Leitner. In a word this work is fantastic. For an Opera D'Oro the sound is first-rate. I think the fact that it is sung in German adds authenticity to the music. But the clincher is having these four absolutely outstanding singers together in this work. If you love the music of Handel (is there someone in the world who does not?) buy this today.