Customer Reviews

Mozart - Zaide / Dawson · Blochwitz · Bär · Lippert · Purves · AAM · Paul Goodwin

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
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An overall beautiful effect, gracefully sung, unfortunately poor acting in the melodrama sections mar this album. But the lovely arias, each repeated variously, will make this an ethereal experience. Particularly charming is the aria "Ruhe Sanft".

TEXT UNFINISHED, BUT MUSIC UNDIMINISHED.
"Oh, Mozart, immortal Mozart, what countless images of a brighter and better world you have stamped upon our souls". Thus spake Franz Schubert of Mozart.

"Zaide" is one of Mozart's unfinished works- a Singspiel in two acts- original libretto by Johann Schachtner. Mozart never completed 'Zaide', although seventy minutes of beautiful music survive. Even more intriguing, although we know that the musical selections were connected by spoken text rather than sung recitative, none of the spoken text survives- the surviving manuscript is a cue score that contains only the final couple of words of text before each selection. The surviving sung text, while giving us a clear impression of the story, does not really tell us how the story ends.

Briefly, the plot: The Sultan is enamored of Zaide. Among the former's Christian slaves is Gomatz, who after performing his daily arduous work, falls asleep in Zaide's garden; Zaide upon seeing him, falls immediately in love wiht him, but she does not want to disturb his sleep, so she leaves her portrait beside him, and naturally he awakens and falls in love with her portrait. His friend Allazin procures oriental garb for both of them as a disguise, and they manage to escape, but are caught and brought back to the Sultan, who is determined to have them executed. It is at this point that the story stops!

No one really knows for certain why Mozart did not complete the opera because he had eleven more years of his life to do so. The fact that it is not complete does not however take away the pleasure of hearing this wonderful and glorious music by one of the world's greatest composers!

The soloists are of the best quality and thus we are privy to some superb singing. I especially liked Lynne Dawson's ability to sing dramatically and with a clear resonant voice. Olaf Bar (baritone) acquits himself well with flawless diction and a resonance without 'rumbling'. The Academy of Ancient Music adds its expertise to all of the above under the capable direction of Paul Goodwin. A most enjoyable listening treat!!!

Paul Goodwin conducts Mozart's Opera Zaide with the help of the Academy of Ancient Music on this Harmonia Mundi recording from 2004. Alas Zaide was never finished and no posthumous additions or dialogues have been added on this recording. Neal Zaslaw has written well-written music and the synopsis has been written by Linda Tyler. It also contains a list of all the musicians of The Academy of Ancient Music and what each plays. The lyrics are also included. These are available in German and English. Being a Harmonia Mundi recording the sound is impeccable and the performance of the singers likewise. Paul Goodwin truly understands the spirit of Mozart's music. Highly recommended. 5 out of 5.