Wagner: Tannhäuser ~ Domingo, Studer, Baltsa, Salminen, A. Schmidt; Sinopoli [Original recording remastered, Box set]

Plácido Domingo (Artist), Cheryl Studer / Agnes Baltsa (Artist), Matti Salminen (Artist), Andreas Schmidt (Artist), Barbara Bonney (Artist), Clemens Bieber (Artist), Richard Wagner (Composer), Giuseppe Sinopoli (Conductor), Philharmonia Orchestra (Orchestra), C.G. Royal Opera House Chorus (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: C.G. Royal Opera House Chorus
• Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra
• Conductor: Giuseppe Sinopoli
• Composer: Richard Wagner
• Audio CD (September 27, 1989)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Original recording remastered, Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GB0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,648 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #9 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Voices > Baritones
  • #11 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Bonney, Barbara

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Another Paris Tannhäuser recording, this one seeing the adaptable Placido Domingo take a break from the world of Italianate opera to try on the mantle of Heldentenor. Domingo's clear, manly voice is well suited to the transformation--precisely why Italians usually don't think of him as a bella voce. Agnes Baltsa approaches the role of Venus in a less shrill and more human manner than often is heard in portrayals of the excitable goddess. The sound is exceptionally clear in the recording, a comparatively newer digital mastering from the late 1980s. The chorus work is good, though not quite on the sublime plane reached in the Georg Solti recording. Maestro Giuseppe Sinopoli conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra and the Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in a measured, stately manner. --Christian C. Rix

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars First choice, by a small margin, September 3, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (Cambridge, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wagner: Tannhäuser ~ Domingo, Studer, Baltsa, Salminen, A. Schmidt; Sinopoli (Audio CD)

Tannhäuser has been recorded surprisingly rarely: I believe the only studio recordings are Solti's from 1971, and this Sinopoli from 1988. Neither recording is ideal, but I believe this recordings virtues are slightly greater than those of the Solti.

First and foremost is Plácido Domingo, whose silvery, ringing voice is ideal for the title role. His German is eccentric, but he is forgiven for the excellence of his voice. He is far superior to Kollo for Solti. Cheryl Studer sings a beautiful, well-characterized Elisabeth, but is not always ideally steady and is no match for the radiant Helga Dernesch (Solti). Agnes Baltsa characterizes well, but similarly does not have an ideal voice and is inferior to Christa Ludwig. Andreas Schmidt, though, is a beautiful, velvety Wolfram, singing beautifully in his Act III solo. Matti Salminen sings well but is rather uneven. The rest of the cast is excellent, and the Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden contributes inspired choral work. Sinopoli directs the Philharmonia Orchestra warmly and lyrically; his interpretation is more flexible than Solti's sometimes stiff, cold account. Sinopoli takes the Overture rather more slowly than usual, which is a little strange at first, but gradually gets better. Sinopoli also controls the transitions excellently. Superb liner notes and a libretto are included. The digital sound is fabulously clear and rich. In the end, the virtues of this recording outweigh the drawbacks. This is as fine a recording as the work has yet received.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Tannhauser out there, January 11, 2007

By 

M. Severs - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wagner: Tannhäuser ~ Domingo, Studer, Baltsa, Salminen, A. Schmidt; Sinopoli (Audio CD)

This is probably the best recording of Tannhauser that is out there, of which there are a fair number. First the positives. Domingo's voice is excellent for the title role with very smooth and with clear annuciation (impressive, considering it is not one of his main languages). He also inparts his professional sense of passion to all of his music, Italian or German. He also does not "overdo" his singing of the role as some do (specifically Kollo's in Solti's recording). Sinopoli's direction of the Philharmonia Orchestra is very good. I actually enjoy the Overture at a slower pace, such that it is not rushed as in some recordings (i.e. Levine with the MET on DVD). He also makes sure that the orchestra does not overwhelm the singers at any point. The Philharmonia is always technically excellent as well. Andreas Schmidt is also wonderful as Wolfram. Now for the negatives. Neither of the female leads (Studer or Baltsa) are as impressive as the male characters. The other complaint that I would have is that the Chorus of the Royal Opera House as they are technically okay, but don't seem to have much passion for the music. I can't recall a Pilgrim's chorus that was tame as this one. However, all in all, this recording is probably the best that is out there because of the orchestra and male leads.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Dreamy, Beautiful, Golden Tannhauser, February 8, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Wagner: Tannhäuser ~ Domingo, Studer, Baltsa, Salminen, A. Schmidt; Sinopoli (Audio CD)

This 80's studio recording of Wagner's Tannhauser is not largely considered "Wagnerian" because all the talents behind it are not German, but it is a beautifully rendered opera and very moving. It stars Placido Domingo as Tannhauser, Cheryl Studer as Elisabeth, Agnes Baltsa as Venus, Matti Salminen as Hermann, Andreas Schmidt as Wolfram Von Eschenbach and Barbara Bonney as a Young "hirt". Italian conductor Giuseppe Sinopoli conducts. Other than the principal singers, the rest are German singers. Sinopoli conducts with great texture and subtleties. Dramatic climaxes are all in their respective place and most importantly of all, the music never drowns out the singers but, like bel canto, accompanies them well. Placido Domingo sings with passion, elegance and wonderful dramatic abilities. He has portrayed Tannhauser on stage and he fits the character well. The poet-musician who has lived with Venus, renouncing his Christian faith and love- Elisabeth- only to realize the folly of his ways is a wonderful vehicle for Domingo. Domingo is a versatile singer and one whose voice is glorious, simply beautiful and energetic. Sure, let the critics have their field days about how he can't sing Wagner. I say he can and best of all he is not "bitten" by the Bayreuth bark and is a welcome change from all the Wolfang Windgassens, Jon Vickers, Rene Kollos and James Kings on studio recordings. Mezzo soprano Agnes Baltsa as Venus is sensual, mellow and calculating. She sings with great beauty and never sounds edgy or erratic. She is wonderful and proves her own versatility as she has sung a number of roles from Dona Elvira in Mozart's Don Giovanni, La Cenerentola from Rossini's opera to Verdi's wicked heroine Eboli in Don Carlo and Queen Elisabeth in Donizetti's Maria Stuarda among many other roles. Matti Salminen's voice is noble and grand and Wagner goes well on him. It is a gorgeous voice, with a healing quality to it. I've seen Matti on stage and he has a regal presence. The only weak link in this cast is, unfortunately, Cheryl Studer as Elisabeth. There is no sense of true Wagnerian musicality here. Even Domingo has that. Studer sings the role with no real emotion or warmth, and sounds as if she were singing Marguerite in Faust or Donizetti's Lucia. She has a beautiful voice but it's not suited to Wagner. It's an experiment from her part to sing the role of Elisabeth. Also, she takes the "sweet and dull girlfriend" approach to the part. I like to think that Elisabeth had some spine. Yes, she represents the Christian woman, but she should be seen as a fighter, she is fighting to save Tannhauser's soul. She is a warrior of God, an angel with the weapon of love. But very few sopranos sing her as a fighter. Normally, Elisabeth is mellow, sweet and lackluster next to the more fiery and passionate Venus. But Elisabeth ought to have some passion too. I have enjoyed Studer in other roles but she does not impress as Elisabeth. But not even this is a drawback. This is a fine recording with great moments of beauty and drama.