Wagner - The Flying Dutchman , recordings

[umslopogaas]

I like the version conducted by Konwitschny, with Staatskapelle Berlin. Daland, Gottlob Frick; Senta, Marianne Schech; Erich, Rudolf Schock; Mary, Sieglinde Wagner; Steersman, Fritz Wunderlich; Dutchman, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. First published on HMV stereo LPs in 1962, I also have a CD issue on Berlin Classics, from 1994. Neither the Rough Guide to Opera nor the 2010 Penguin Guide mention it, so either they dont like it, or it is currently unavailable. The 1982 Penguin Guide liked it, though they did comment that Marianne Schech emits sounds more reminiscent of the Flying Scotsman than the Flying Dutchman. Overall, its a very impressive cast.

[Richard Tarleton]

Neither the Rough Guide to Opera

Off-thread - the Rough Guide. if I recall, does not mention the Giulini Don Carlo . It happened to be the first thing I looked up in the index when I picked the book up in the bookshop, several years ago now, to gauge its reliability. I swiftly put it back on the shelf. Apologies if this has subsequently changed.

[Beef Oven]

I have Karajan's 1980s recording with BPO, Van Dam et al.

By the by, I am at the ENO tomorrow night for a performance of said opera. Anyone else going?

[Pianorak]

. . . You might also be interested in this DVD:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Der-Fliegend...5542757&sr=1-3

Now you are talking!

[ostuni]

By the by, I am at the ENO tomorrow night for a performance of said opera. Anyone else going?

Yes, but not for a couple of weeks: 12th May. Do let us know what you think of it!

[Mandryka]

Hollander has not fared as well as some other Wagner operas on record.

If you're not too bothered about sound quality, there is an excellent Met off-air broadcast on Naxos, conducted by Reiner, and featuring Hans Hotter in (what I would say was) his finest Wagnerian role.

If sound quality IS important, you might like to try the Karajan, which I rate higher than most people seem to.

The linked Bayreuth DVD with Simon Estes and Lisabeth Balslev is, I reckon, superb.

I was not disappointed in Solti's Chicago version but, again on this, I'm in the minority.

I find the playing on the London/Rysanek Decca set a bit too restrained, though the performances are good.

Klempere's set is disappointing, I'd say, and his principals are unattractive

There are a lot of sets mentioned that I don't know: the Zuckerberg, the Konwitschny, the von Dohnanyi.

There is a very good mono set conducted by Fricsay which can be had for one euro on CMM.

[amateur51]

Welcome back, Mandryka!

[Barbirollians]

Andre Rieu ? - An albatross around the neck of classical music ?

[Beef Oven]

Hollander has not fared as well as some other Wagner operas on record.

If you're not too bothered about sound quality, there is an excellent Met off-air broadcast on Naxos, conducted by Reiner, and featuring Hans Hotter in (what I would say was) his finest Wagnerian role.

If sound quality IS important, you might like to try the Karajan, which I rate higher than most people seem to.

The linked Bayreuth DVD with Simon Estes and Lisabeth Balslev is, I reckon, superb.

I was not disappointed in Solti's Chicago version but, again on this, I'm in the minority.

I find the playing on the London/Rysanek Decca set a bit too restrained, though the performances are good.

Klempere's set is disappointing, I'd say, and his principals are unattractive

There are a lot of sets mentioned that I don't know: the Zuckerberg, the Konwitschny, the von Dohnanyi.

There is a very good mono set conducted by Fricsay which can be had for one euro on CMM.

I agree on the Karajan. not sure why this recording isn't appreciated more. And yes, Der Fliegende has not fared well. Disagree with you on the old stick waver (Solti)!

[Mandryka]

I agree on the Karajan. not sure why this recording isn't appreciated more. And yes, Der Fliegende has not fared well. Disagree with you on the old stick waver (Solti)!

Karajan was himself dissatisfied with Peter Hofmann's performance as Erik. Others have disliked the glassy, early digital sound; personally, I think this is an instance of the flaws of early digital actually enhancing a performance, as Karajan's conception of this opera is decidedly chilly.