Mozart - Don Giovanni / Fischer-Dieskau, Fricsay [Original recording remastered]

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Artist), Ferenc Fricsay (Artist), Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (Artist), Sena Jurinac (Artist), Karl Christian Kohn (Artist), Ivan Sardi (Artist), Irmgard Seefried (Artist), Maria Stader (Artist), RIAS-Kammerchor (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 8, 2001)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000058BGU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #269,164 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Don Giovanni, opera, K. 527: Ouverta

2. Don Giovanni, opera, K. 527: Act 1: 'Notte e giorno faticar'

3. Don Giovanni, opera, K. 527: Act 1: 'Leporello, ove sei?'

4. Don Giovanni, opera, K. 527: Act 1: 'Ah! del padre in periglio'

5. Don Giovanni, opera, K. 527: Act 1: 'Ma qual mai s'offre, oh Dei'

6. Don Giovanni, opera, K. 527: Act 1: 'Fuggi, crudele, fuggi!'

See all 20 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Don Giovanni, opera, K. 527: Act 1: 'Io deggio ad ogni patto'

2. Don Giovanni, opera, K. 527: Act 1: 'Fin ch'han dal vino'

3. Don Giovanni, opera, K. 527: Act 1: 'Masetto: senti un po'!'

4. Don Giovanni, opera, K. 527: Act 1: 'Batti, batti, o bel Masetto'

5. Don Giovanni, opera, K. 527: Act 1: 'Guarda un po'

6. Don Giovanni, opera, K. 527: Act 1: 'Presto, presto pria ch'ei venga'

See all 17 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Don Giovanni, opera, K. 527: Act 2: 'Di molte faci il lume'

2. Don Giovanni, opera, K. 527: Act 2: 'Sola, sola, in buio loco'

3. Don Giovanni, opera, K. 527: Act 2: 'Dunque quello sei tu'

4. Don Giovanni, opera, K. 527: Act 2: 'Ferma, perfido, ferma'

5. Don Giovanni, opera, K. 527: Act 2: 'Il mio tesoro intanto'

6. Don Giovanni, opera, K. 527: Act 2: 'In quali eccessi, o numi'

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars not perfect, but still the best I've heard, September 10, 2003

By 

vladb "vladb" (Brighton, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mozart - Don Giovanni / Fischer-Dieskau, Fricsay (Audio CD)

Being a Mozart Opera fanatic at times can be quite a daunting task, especially faced with such a multitude of available choices :) Of Don Giovanni, which is my favorite of all (thematically speaking, at least), it has been much harder to find the most flawless recording. I was able to zero in on the perfect Figaro (Bohm), Zauberflote (Klemperer) and Cosi (Bohm again), but the Don has proved ever so elusive. Gullini, Davis and Krips, among others, were all lacking something, IMHO. Luckily, I have enough public libraries in my area to be able to sample before purchasing...

The Opera itself a cautionary tale for adults, so to speak, a tale of extreme hubris and its consequences. My own interpretation of DG was always that of a dark, demonic, almost DeSadian personification of the unbridled male id. In other words, the Don is no softie - he is a beast, just as the other characters refer to him, and if he is sung by a light, tenor-like voice, it just doesn't ring true to me. Dieskau's casting is as close to the DG I envision as it gets. I find his voice powerful and nuanced - he can be sinister, arrogant, falsely and seductively romantic all at the same time, an astounding range. Just listen to his delivery of "La Ci Darem la Mano", and you'll understand exactly what I mean. The only (minor) issue here is that he sings so boomingly that he almost drowns out the Commendatore in the final scene, making it seem like a meeting of equals. Still, when Dieskau stands up to the big guy with his unrelenting "Parla, parla", it never ceases to produce goosebumps.

Another great advantage of Fircsay's version over others is the absolutely superb mix , loud and clear. All the minute subtleties of the music can be heard - not muddled at all - and as a result we get the most spine-tingling Overture I've ever heard. Thus, I fully concur with the previous reviewer on the merits of the orchestra here. It keeps the listeners on the edge of their seats at all times, transports them right into the heart of the story.

Allright, now for the less sublime: Maria Stader does sound a bit less graceful than other famous Donna Elviras, but she embodies the hurt and slight madness of her character so well that I don't mind that much. If only Kiri Te Kanawa was present, this recording would indeed be absolutely flawless... And yes, the German cast often pronounces their "qua's" as "kva's", etc, and Kohn, as Leoprello, even manages to glitch up the Catalog aria by one syllable (incidentally, in a reference to his native country :)). But that can be easily overlooked, given the other merits of this undeniably fantastic recording.

So if you've been dissatisfied with the Don Giovannis you've heard or own, or are simply curious to explore some interesting and compelling alternatives - I encourage you to seek the Fricsay out - if anything, you will be pleasantly surprised.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Me The Second Best Don Giovanni, December 3, 2004

By 

Rudy Avila "Saint Seiya" (Lennox, Ca United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mozart - Don Giovanni / Fischer-Dieskau, Fricsay (Audio CD)

Conductor Ferenc Fricsay has made a terrific Don Giovanni, by far my favorite opera. Although I own several recordings, this one is for me the second best. Coming in at Number 1 is Lorin Maazel's version with Ruggero Raimondi and Kiri Te Kenawa, while Erich Leindorf's version starring Cesare Siepi, Birgit Nilsson and Leontine Price is my third choice. This one is the second best for me. It is right on the money as far as how the opera should sound if you prefer the traditional Don Giovanni. Usually, the "tradition" of Don Giovanni is to have a melodrama sung to beautiful music that can be just at home in a comedy. Mozart's greatest opera is supposed to be Don Giovanni. The shameless, unrepentent libertine is an Enlightenment anti-hero, refusing to change his ways even when the threat of being sent to Hell.

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau is regarded as the greatest bass-baritone singers. Without a doubt, he has a beautiful and lyric baritone voice. There is no snarl or sinister note to his portrayal of Don Giovanni, but he gets into the "anti-hero" mood. The Don is after all, only being himself. We as an audience should not root for him because all he does throughout the opera is to attempt to seduce and steal other men's fiancees. But we should admire his spirit and freedom. His greatest flaw is excess and hedonism, which he took too far and abused. This is what I feel Dieskau has in his voice and interpretation, from every recitative to his "Finch'al del vino" aria to his serenade "Vieni Ala Finestra"- everything is sung with a hedonistic pleasure. It is a great portrayal that no one should miss. And that Commandatore/Dinner Scene is incredible !

Meet the women in Don Giovanni's life- Dona Ana, engaged to Don Ottavio, an aristocratic lady whose father is a Commander of the navy. As the opera begins, it's suggested that the Don has attempted to rape Dona Ana. He had sneaked into her bedroom, she confused him for her fiance Don Ottavio. Screaming for help, her father the Commandatore arrives only to duel with the Don and is killed. This very dark deed will come back to haunt the Don and bring him to hell. Dona Ana is distraught and seems never to stop mourning her father, even postponing her marriage to Ottavio. Dona Ana should be sung by a dramatic soprano, with lyric ability or a spinto soprano. It is a diva role and many sopranos have taken it under their belt- Maria Callas, Birgit Nilsson, Leontine Price, Anna Tomosawa Sintow, Edda Moser, Carol Vanness, Beverly Sills and Renee Fleming among others. Sena Jurinac has an astoundingly dramatic and high voice. She gets into the tortured character very well. I really love her performance. Sena Jurinac has had success as the Composer in Strauss Ariadne of Naxos and as Leonora in Fidelio. Zerlina is a peasant girl that the Don attempts to seduce and steal from her fiance Masetto. She is usually a light soprano/soubrette or mezzo soprano, a performance that is light-weight, sweet, clever and charming is suitable. Dona Elvira by far is the most colorful of the women. The soprano singing Elvira on this version is awesome, and by far the greatest interpretor. She is furious, she is vengeful, emotional, torn between her love for the Don and for the hate she has of his wild and reckless life. Dona Elvira has moments that are both dramatic, hysterical as well as beautiful. "Me Tradita Il Ilma Ingrata" you may note is soft and melancholy in comparison to the tirade that is "Fuggi Il Traditore". This is a great album with the perfect cast.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for Don Giovanni lovers., June 20, 2006

By 

YASAR "HI-FI & Music lover" (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mozart - Don Giovanni / Fischer-Dieskau, Fricsay (Audio CD)

This is the best amongst the 5 Don Giovanni recordings I have.

It is in Stereo. A rarity in Maria Stader's opera recordings.

Probably Because of Maria Stader I think this is just wonderful.

Do not miss it. Even if you are not a Do Giovanni fan this recording will make you one.