Renée Fleming - Strauss: Daphne

Richard [1] Strauss (Composer), Semyon Bychkov (Conductor), WDR Sinfonie Orchester Köln (Orchestra), WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln (Orchestra), Anna Larsson (Performer), Carsten Wittmoser (Performer), Cosmin Ifrim (Performer), Eike Wilm Schulte (Performer), Gregory Reinhart (Performer), Johan Botha (Performer), Julia Kleiter (Performer), Kwangchul Youn (Performer), Michael Schade (Performer), Renée Fleming (Performer), Twyla Robinson (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Anna Larsson, Carsten Wittmoser, Cosmin Ifrim, Eike Wilm Schulte, Gregory Reinhart, et al.
• Orchestra: WDR Sinfonie Orchester Köln, WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln
• Conductor: Semyon Bychkov
• Composer: Richard [1] Strauss
• Audio CD (September 13, 2005)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000A3VTS4
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #175,651 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This rarely performed one-act opera dating from 1938 is not one of Strauss's great works, but its 100 minutes has some ravishingly beautiful music. However, the story of a simple nature-girl who rejects the advances of the god Apollo and is turned into a laurel tree is uniquely enchanting, handsomely orchestrated, and contains some wonderful vocal writing for soprano and a pair of tenors--the latter being very rare in Strauss. Renée Fleming sings the title role beautifully, although some might argue that her voice is too ripe and slightly too big for the part of a very young, virginal girl. But she certainly has all the notes and her silvery tone is irresistible. Johann Botha's Apollo is note-perfect: no mean feat given how high and loud the role is. But he sings with less passion than, say, James King in the same role on DG. Michael Schade, as Leukippos, Daphne's innocent suitor, is ardent and also copes well with Strauss's sometimes cruel writing--one phrase begins on a high C! The rest of the cast is very good. Semyon Bychkov leads a clear, well-paced performance and the WDR Symphony and Chorus play and sing expertly. The number one choice may still be the DG recording under Böhm, but Fleming fans will be very pleased to hear her in this beautiful, strange work. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Richard Strauss's Daphne, February 24, 2006

By 

St. Beuve "Claudel" (Pasadena, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Renée Fleming - Strauss: Daphne (Audio CD)

Both Mlle. Fleming and Richard Strauss are favorites of mine. I have heard Mlle. Fleming in Rosenkavalier as well as Arabella on stage. This recording does not disappoint devotees of either the soprano or the composer. And the supporting cast -- particularly Johan Botha as Apollo -- provides glorious singing.
The Cologne WDR symphony orchestra does full justice to Strauss's heavy demands.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful Strauss recording., September 25, 2005

By 

T. C. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Renée Fleming - Strauss: Daphne (Audio CD)

Maybe this is not one of R. Strauss greatest stage works, but it contains much ravishingly beautiful music. Obviously, there are those who don't like Fleming voice or singing, so it is beyond my comprehension why they buy a recording of an artist they dislike so much... I find Fleming singing here very beautiful and idiomatic. Strauss music really suits her voice admirably.

25 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravíssima "Daphne" !, October 6, 2005

By 

Guntram (PR,Brazil) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Renée Fleming - Strauss: Daphne (Audio CD)

For years I was waiting for a modern recording of this Strauss' precious little jewel;just like in Gaea's words;"-This is your dream come true,perennial dreamer!".All these singers are great,the fabulous WDR crew,especially this amazing principal flute and horn section shine,Bychkov is a clever straussian conductor,Fleming has her Stradivarius throat to sing fast and delicate notes piano and pianíssimo that I just can't heard before by Güden and a special "bravíssimo" to this very well done Botha's Apollo;amazing "Jeden,heiligen Morgen",when Apollo reveals himself and humbles Leukippos."Bravi" to all of you,guys!Really,this set is a victorious,very desirable one.