Strauss: Die Frau ohne Schatten [Original recording reissued]

Richard Strauss (Composer), Georg Solti (Conductor), Wiener Philharmoniker (Orchestra), Julia Varady (Performer), Plácido Domingo (Performer), Hildegard Behrens (Performer), José van Dam (Performer), Sumi Jo (Performer), Reinhild Runkel (Performer), Gerhard Eder (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Julia Varady, Plácido Domingo, Hildegard Behrens, José van Dam, Sumi Jo, et al.
• Orchestra: Wiener Philharmoniker
• Conductor: Georg Solti
• Composer: Richard Strauss
• Audio CD (April 14, 1992)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00000420D
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #140,567 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Light now cast on Strauss' glorious "Shadow", December 16, 1999

By 

Brian M. Kulesza (Joliet, Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Strauss: Die Frau ohne Schatten (Audio CD)

Critical opinion has been consistently divided over this work, which first premiered in October 1919. As a Chicagoan, I waited until 1984 to see the premiere at Lyric Opera of Chicago, and it was worth the wait.

This glorious performance under Solti's direction has firmly cemented my opinion that this is one of the greatest operas ever penned and should be standard repertoire by now.

To have Placido Domingo branch out and sing the role of the Emperor in this recording is another benefit of the performance.

I also appreciated very much that most of the music that had customarily been cut from performances [a practice apparently initiated by Karl Boehm] have been restored.

This is a work that succeeds musically even though the plot is at times encumbered by esoteric symbolism.

However, it is the best performance I have ever heard and I highly recommend it.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A magical performance of an under-appreciated opera, October 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Strauss: Die Frau ohne Schatten (Audio CD)

When I bought this opera, I didn't know what to expect. Frau is largely ignored in the American repetoire, which is a tragedy now that I know how marvellous this work is. True, the story is lofty with a lucid message that is unpopular in today's culture. More importantly though, the music is thrilling from start to finish. The music keeps one's attention throughout, unlike Rosenkavalier and many of Strauss' later works. Solti's orchestra has some unforgetable moments -- the descent of the Princess into the human world in Act I,for example. All the singers are incredible, even if they have no stage experience in these roles. (Where would they get the opportunity in America, anyway?) Of note is the always fascinating Hildegard Behrens. Her transition from the surly and selfish woman who sells her shadow to gain "manly" powers to a loving wife could be pulled off convincingly by few others. The finale unleashes all the soloists, orchestra, and chorus in a Straussian climax equalled only by Salome's final scence and the Rosenkavalier trio.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnetic, December 15, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Strauss: Die Frau ohne Schatten (Audio CD)

In a magnetic reading from the first note to the last note, Solti gives a ravishingly beautiful yet dramatic fulfilment of this most diverse and fascinating of Strauss' operas. And the sound is extraordinarily fantastic - full and sumptuous with breathtaking playing by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. All the 5 principal singers are in superlative form. This is an instant classic if there was ever one.