February: Featured Classical Music

Der Ring Des Nibelungen
OP1635. Live Performance, 1955, w.Keilberth Cond. Bayreuth Festival Ensemble; Hans Hotter, Wolfgang Windgassen, Ramón Vinay, Astrid Varnay, Gré Brouwenstijn, Hermann Uhde, Josef Greindl, Ludwig Weber, Paul Kuën, etc. (England) 14-Testament Stereo SBT14 1412, from Unpublished Decca recording. Outstanding sound! Specially priced at $199.90, the Set.

“There are three, equally compelling, reasons to acquire this set of Wagner’s ‘Ring’ cycle. The first is the leadership of Joseph Keilberth….An equally important reason…is the quality of the cast, both individually and collectively. The spearhead of many live RINGs, the soprano Astrid Varnay here surpasses her numerous other recordings as Brünnhilde and leads the female side with great distinction. She is finely matched by Hans Hotter and Wolfgang Windgassen, both of whom are in notably fresher voice – as indeed is Varnay – than in many other versions caught on disc. Special mention should also be made of Brouwenstijn and Vinay….In fact, the depth of casting is impressive throughout….The final ‘plus’ factor is the extraordinarily lifelike quality of the early Decca recording….Testament’s digital remastering by Paul Baily may also be a significant factor here. No praise can be too high…."

- David Patmore, CLASSIC RECORD COLLECTOR, Summer, 2007

I Vespri Siciliani
OP1598. Live Performance, 26 May, 1951, Firenze, w.Kleiber Cond. Maggio Musicale Ensemble; Maria Callas, Giorgio Kokolios-Bardi, Enzo Mascherini, Boris Christoff, Bruno Carmassi, Mario Frosini, etc. (Austria) 2-Testament SBT2 1416. From new masters (Walter Legge tape) - never before released. $43.90, the Set.

“Erich Kleiber is not usually associated with the 19th-century Italian repertory but he leads a vigorous performance….For Callas and Christoff admirers, of course, this is an essential document….Giorgio Kokolios-Bardi…had been one of Callas’ leading men at the National Opera in Athens, and she particularly requested him for this part.”

- Patrick O’Connor, GRAMOPHONE, Jan., 2008

Aksel Schiøtz
V1319. Aksel Schiøtz – Complete Recordings, 1933-46. (Denmark) 11-Danacord 451/60, in Boxed Set, w.Elaborate 334pp. Book. Specially priced at $49.90, the Set.

“This comprehensive collection of the tenor Aksel Schiøtz’s recordings, from the prime period before illness affected his voice, was originally issued ten years ago. Now the ten volumes have been stoutly boxed….the booklets have been gathered into a 334-page book which rivals those of Opera Rara….the voice emerging clearly, the set is a model compilation of the most attractive recordings of a stylish singer….Predominant among the 270 tracks are Danish songs, with the last CD devoted to Carl Nilsen, some of whose songs are gorgeous….It is a pity that Schiøtz recorded so few operatic arias: six by Mozart, one each by Gounod and Tchaikowsky and four from Danish operas….In 1940, there were three ranking Danish tenors. The oldest, Lauritz Melchior, was regaling American audiences in opera; the next, Helge Roswaenge, was singing before the swastikas of the nation that had overrun his native land, while the third, Aksel Schiøtz, remained with the subjected people of that land, trying to lift their spirits.”

- John T. Hughes, CLASSIC RECORD COLLECTOR, Winter, 2007

Frano Corelli
B0126. René Seghers. Franco Corelli – Prince of Tenors. New York, Amadeus, 2008. 526pp. Index; Bibliography; Exhaustive Chronology;
Photos; DJ. Newly Published. $34.90

“His exceptional good looks made him a matinee idol, and Franco Corelli—the Prince of Tenors—was dubbed “Mr. Soldout” for 20
consecutive years. In 1958, just seven years after beginning his career, he was already the highest paid tenor in Italy. Following his Met debut in 1961, he was celebrated as the greatest tenor in the world, a position that he retained until his departure from the Met in 1975. His charismartic performances in such operas as La Vestale and Fedora (both in collaboration with Maria Callas), coupled with a formidable mystique, as well as a number of notorious and colorful incidents, including his real-life sword fight with Boris Christoff in Rome, the Callas walkout there, the beating up of a spectator in Naples, and the alleged biting of Brigit Nilsson on a Boston tour of Turandot, created a mania for Corelli. Nearly a decade in the making, this definitive biography is based on the author’s extensive research of theater archives and interviews with the opera star’s numerous friends, family members, colleagues (Nilsson, Pavarotti, and many others), as well as the management of some of the world’s leading opera houses.”

- Amadeus Press