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15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A valuable second choice, December 29, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: J. Strauss - Die Fledermaus / Te Kanawa, Gruberova, Fassbaender, Bär, Vienna Philharmonic, Previn (Audio CD)
This performance of Die Fledermaus is no doubt beautifully performed, especially Fassbaenders aria is a jewel. However, the atmosphere is somehow cool and artificial, Te Kanawa and Gruberova have difficulties with the operetta setting of the plot. Previn does not serve the "champagne", his conducting is somehow a little too operatic. If you like to have a second version of the "bat" in your collection, choose this one or the live performance of the Vienna Volksoper in Japan (Denon). If you only need one version, the choice second to none is the Carlos Kleiber version with Varady / Prey - even if it was only for the quality of the orchestral interpretation (although assigning the role of the prince to a basso singing falsetto - Ivan Rebroff - is a question of taste).
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Enjoyable Version But Not The Finest, September 16, 2002
This review is from: J. Strauss - Die Fledermaus / Te Kanawa, Gruberova, Fassbaender, Bär, Vienna Philharmonic, Previn (Audio CD)
Everyone has their own opinions regarding recordings of operas and operettas. Die Fledermaus, being the most famous operetta, is subject to numerous interpretations. This particular version has Andre Previn conducting the Vienna State Opera (Staatsoper in German) which has the time-honored tradition of performing the classic operetta every New Years Eve. The chorus and party noises (glass tinkling, laughter, conversations,etc) adds to the realism and liveliness of the ball scene. Previn is a great conductor of classical music, but as for Johann Strauss' Die Fledermaus, whose score features waltz-like, serenades and often French-style cabaret music, is not his cup of tea. The overture is not the finest interpretation. The singers are an ecclectic but formidable bunch. Kiri Te Kenawa, whom I had previously underestimated, sings an excellent Rosalinde, Fassbaender (spelled incorrectly, a woman) sings the role of Prince Orlofsky in a very comedic, brilliant manner and true to the original woman-in-trousers roles that were featured in Opera-buffas of Mozart times. Edita Gruberova, a coloratura soprano, although not at her best, sings a fair Adele and her "Mein Herr Marquis" aria is not as good as her other arias and trio roles. The waltzes and the drinking songs, the intimate dinner scenes and the maddening confusion that happens in Act 2 are all very well made. However, if you wish to buy a less darker, less restrained Die Fledermaus, get the Lucia Popps, Julia Varady version with Carlos Kleiber, noted German conductor who has more of a flair for this sort of music.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This bat can fly!, March 31, 2003
This review is from: J. Strauss - Die Fledermaus / Te Kanawa, Gruberova, Fassbaender, Bär, Vienna Philharmonic, Previn (Audio CD)
This is a collection of highlights, not the entire operetta. The first five reviews I've read had mixed reactions, but all seemed pleased with this performance. I found Edita Gruberova's Adele superlative. Just to hear her sing "Spiel' ich die Unschuld vom Lande," is worth the price of the CD. In the "Laughing Song" (Mein Herr Marquis), she smoothly, yet precisely, sings each note, unlike so many sopranos who seem to bark the laughs. Only Janet Perry approaches Gruberova in the quality of singing in this role. For me, Kiri Te Kanawa practically owns the role of Rosalinde. Few can equal her in any of the arias. You'll believe she's really Hungarian. Overall, I think you'll find this a beautifully-performed, spirited Fledermaus, where all the performers seem to be having a very good time.
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