Weber: Der Freischutz
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CARL MARIA von WEBER
Weber: Der Freischutz
Christine Brewer, Sally Matthews, & Simon O'Neill / London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis
[ LSO Live SACD / 2 Hybrid SACD ]
Release Date: Monday 29 April 2013
This item is currently out of stock. It may take 6 or more weeks to obtain from when you place your order as this is a specialist product.
Sir Colin Davis conducts the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and a stellar cast of soloists in a concert performance of Weber's eerily fantastical opera, 'Der Freischütz'.
'Der Freischütz' is heralded as one of the cornerstones of Romantic opera, drawing on traditional German folk tunes and elements of Romanticism for the first time in the history of opera. The evocative and colourful orchestration is particularly impressive in the ''Wolf's Glen' scene: often considered the most gruesomely expressive rendering of evil to be found in a musical score!
All three main soloists are well established on LSO Live: Opera News declared the Verdi Requiem (LSO00683), featuring Christine Brewer, as "one of the finest recordings the work has ever received". Sally Matthews, who has performed regularly with Sir Colin Davis, was praised in her role in Haydn's 'Creation' (LSO0628). Simon O'Neill's previous appearance on the label, in the title role of Verdi's 'Otello' (LSO0700) saw much critical acclaim, and confirmation that "he is the best heroic tenor to emerge over the last decade" The Telegraph.
"This is a sincere reading of the work, but sincerity should not be confused with a lack of sophistication. The orchestral textures are pristine, the tempos and colours bracing and plaintive, with faultless work from clarinettist Chris Richards." (BBC Music Magazine, Aug 2013)
"If Davis's handling of the score lacks the dramatic punch of the Kleibers' readings, there are some fine things here - his phrasing of the score's many lyrical moments, the playing of the orchestra and the careful and exciting casting. Simon O'Neill is virtually perfect for Max, not too über-Heldentenor and not too light"
(Gramophone, Aug 2013)
"the love [Davis] felt toward Der Freischütz can be felt in almost every bar...there is nothing galumphing here, and the LSO make themselves happily rustic whenever the music swings that way...The vocal cast? Always decent, sometimes compelling." (The Times, May 2013)
