Artist: Leonard Bernstein
Title: Verdi: Falstaff
Year Of Release: 2014
Label: Sony
Genre: Classical
Quality: FLAC {Tracks, 24bit/96kHz}
Total Size: 2,37 Gb
This review is from: Verdi: Falstaff (Audio CD)
Sony has been rescuing from their vaults and releasing in a newly mastered format a steady stream of venerable recordings of famous operas among which treasures such as Verdi Aida ,Verdi Il Trovatore , Bizet Carmen should bring back fond memories to those admirers of Zinka Milanov, Jussi Bjorling, Leontyne Price and Placido Domingo. However, one of those reissues stands out of the lot : Verdi Falstaff conducted by Leonard Bernstein.
Recorded back in 1966 by Gordon Parry and James Brown and lovingly restored and mastered by Andreas K. Meyer in glorious sound in 2014, this version takes its place right at the top of the discography alongside the legendary recordings by Toscanini and Karajan( the 1956 version). This sounds like a bold statement but in my humble opinion Bernstein has it all in terms of imaginative and inspired conducting, virtuoso and expressive playing from the Wiener Philharmoniker as well as beautiful and perfectly characterised singing from the soloists.
Starting with the conductor , Lenny is all fired up and shows real flair in dealing with the complex,subtle details of the score. His theatrical approach, typical of his style of conducting but perfectly suited to the spirit of the opera brings off a sense of drama,fun and excitement which has the listener glued to the edge of his/ her seat.
Unlike Toscanini who predictably creates an electrifying atmosphere by resorting to sharply defined tempi and applying strict discipline all round and Karajan who produces a memorable account of the work by paying meticulous attention to the overall architecture and structure of the opera, Bernstein manages to pull off a performance of an even superior calibre by allowing the action to unfold in a totally natural manner. The truth is that he has both orchestra and singers under his spell. In the opening scene, right from the start ,every section of the Wiener Philharmonic,fully energised and inspired by Lennie plays with an uncanny sense of timing and perfect understanding of the score requirements. Each instrument suddenly seems to become a living entity. The violins and the flutes sound as though they are killing themselves with laughter whilst the brass section seems to be chuckling along. You could swear you can hear doors being slammed. The whole opera is tranformed as it were into a huge laughter from beginning to end. In terms of operatic performance,this is the closest you will ever get to a Vaudeville or a Broadway musical in an atmosphere full of humour and comedy with that bitter sweet element of parody tinted by melancholy.
The effect is enhanced and magnified by first class singing and voice acting from the protagonists. Fischer Dieskau portrays a totally convincing Falstaff even though he may sound vocally challenged at times. He is very successful in showing all the facets of his character,sounding in turn buffoon like,sad,grand and jilted. The result, however cleverly calculated his approach may be , is simply irresistible. The rest of the cast make their equally valuable contribution to the performance. For example,Regina Resnik as Mrs Quickly and Hilde Röss-Majdan as Mrs Meg Page run riots,singing with consummate mastery and understanding of the score . Their characterisation is as mischievous and funny as one would expect in keeping with their respective role.
The listener is left in a state of exhilaration and euphoria. Rossini's alleged comment that Verdi was incapable of writing a comic opera is certainly proved wrong after listening to Bernstein's account. Verdi must have had fun composing Falstaff and the Bernstein team certainly had fun performing it.
Want an evening at the opera for little money? This version is just the ticket!
Disc: 1
1. Falstaff / Act I / Scene 1 / Falstaff!
2. Falstaff / Act I / Scene 1 / Sei Polli - Sei Scellini
3. Falstaff / Act I / Scene 1 / Ma È Tempo D'assottigliar L'ingegno
4. Falstaff / Act I / Scene 1 / L'onore! Ladri!
5. Falstaff / Act I / Scene 2 / Alice... Meg... Nannetta
6. Falstaff / Act I / Scene 2 / Fulgida Alice! Amor T'offro
7. Falstaff / Act I / Scene 2 / in Due Parole - L'enorme Falstaff
8. Falstaff / Act I / Scene 2 / PST, PST, Nannetta
9. Falstaff / Act I / Scene 2 / Udrai Quanta Egli Sfoggia
10. Falstaff / Act II / Scene 1 / Siam Pentiti E Contriti
11. Falstaff / Act II / Scene 1 / Va, Vecchio John
12. Falstaff / Act II / Scene 1 / Signore, V'assista Il Cielo!
13. Falstaff / Act II / Scene 1 / C'e a Windsor Una Dama
14. Falstaff / Act II / Scene 1 / È Sogno? O Realtà?
Disc: 2
1. Falstaff / Act II / Scene 2 / Presenteremo Un Bill
2. Falstaff / Act II / Scene 2 / Gaie Comari Di Windsor!
3. Falstaff / Act II / Scene 2 / Alfin T'ho Colto, Raggiante Fior
4. Falstaff / Act II / Scene 2 / Quand'ero Paggio Del Duca Di Norfolk
5. Falstaff / Act II / Scene 2 / Mia Signora!
6. Falstaff / Act II / Scene 2 / C'É! C'É!
7. Falstaff / Act III / Scene 1 / Ehi! Taverniere!
8. Falstaff / Act III / Scene 1 / Reverenza - la Bella Alice
9. Falstaff / Act III / Scene 1 / Brava! Quelle Corna Saranno la Mia Gioia!
10. Falstaff / Act III / Scene 2 / Dal Labbro Il Canto
11. Falstaff / Act III / Scene 2 / Una, Due, Tre, Quattro
12. Falstaff / Act III / Scene 2 / Ninfe! Elfi! Silfi!
13. Falstaff / Act III / Scene 2 / Alto LÀ! - Chi Va LÀ?
14. Falstaff / Act III / Scene 2 / Ogni Sorta Di Gente Dozzinale
15. Falstaff / Act III / Scene 2 / Tutto Nel Mondo É Burla
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