BaL 21.11.20 - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte, K620

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

9.30 Building a Library
Flora Willson chooses her favourite recording of Mozart’s opera, Die Zauberflöte.

Mozart’s masonic opera is a wonderful but challenging combination of the high moral seriousness of the two young lovers Tamino and Pamina with the low knockabout comedy of Papageno and his feathered girlfriend, Papagena. It can be difficult to bring off in the theatre and recording studio because of these different levels which need to be brought together. And some of the female and racial stereotypes haven’t aged well. But this quintessential piece of late Mozart distils all the humanity and beauty that people love in his operas.

Available versions:-

René Pape, Erika Miklósa, Dorothea Röschmann, Christoph Strehl, Hanno Müller-Brachmann, Julia Kleiter, Georg Zeppenfeld, Kurt Azesberger, Caroline Stein, Heidi Zehnder, Anne-Carolyn Schlüter, Alexander Lischke, Frederic Jost, Niklas Mallmann, Danilo Formaggia, Sascha Borris, Andreas Bauer, Danilo Formaggia, Tobias Beyer, Matthias Bernhold, Martin Olbertz, Tobias Beyer, Mahler Chamber Orchestra & Arnold Schoenberg Chor, Claudio Abbado

Maximilian Schmitt, Christina Landshamer, Thomas Oliemans, Brindley Sherratt, Íride Martínez,, Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke, Nina Lejderman, Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, Chorus of Dutch National Opera, Marc Albrecht (DVD/Blu-ray)

Wilhelm Strienz, Helge Roswaenge, Walter Grossman, Ernst Fabbry, Erna Berger, Tiana Lemnitz, Hilde Scheppan, Elfriede Marherr, Rut Berglund, Gerhard Hüsch, Irma Beilke, Heinrich Tessmer, Carla Spletter, Favres Soloisten Vereinigung, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham

Günther Groissböck, Saimir Pirgu, Albina Shagimuratova, Genia Kühmeier, Ailish Tynan, Alex Esposito, Peter Bronder, Orchestra of Teatro alla Scala & Choir of the Accademia del Teatro alla Scala, Roland Böer (DVD/Blu-ray)

Peter Anders, Maria Reining, Alfred Poell, Lea Piltti, Ludwig Weber, Dora Komarek, Kurt Böhme, Karl Wesseley, Hilde Konetzni, Dora With, Elena Nicolaidi, Erika Pirschl, Elfride Trötschel, Anny Schneller, Willy Franter, Franz Normann, Wiener Philharmoniker, Chor des Wiener Staatsoper, Karl Böhm *

Wilma Lipp, Walter Berry, Leopold Simoneau, Vienna Philharmonic, Karl Bohm *

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Roberta Peters, Friedrich Lenz, Franz Crass, Hildegard Hillebrecht, Rosl Schwaiger, Fritz Wunderlich, Sieglinde Wagner, Martin Vantin, Hans Hotter, Manfred Röhrl, Lisa Otto, Martti Talvela, Cvetka Ahlin, Hubert Hilten, Evelyn Lear, James King, Raili Kostia, Antonia Fahberg, Hubert Hilten, Berliner Philharmoniker, RIAS Kammerchor, Karl Böhm


Rosa Mannion, Hans-Peter Blochwitz, Natalie Dessay, Anton Scharinger, Reinhard Hagen, Willard White, Steven Cole, Linda Kitchen, Les Arts Florissants, William Christie

Dodi Protero, David Read, Richard Lewis, Heather Harper, Catherine Wilson, Monica Sinclair, Geraint Evans, Margareta Hallin, Gywn Griffiths, Emily Maire, Elizabeth Harwood, Theresia Bester, Pilar Lorengar, Carlos Feller, Mihály Székely, James Conrad, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Glyndebourne Festival Chorus, Sir Colin Davis

Friedemann Klos, Hanna Schwarz, Mikael Melbye, Heinz Reeh, Joachim Zschocke, Hans Klima, Robert Tear, Justus Fritsch, Elke Wieditz, Ann Murray, Michael Diedrich, Ellen Hellwig, Marylou Poolmann, Reiner Goldberg, Theo Adam, Maria Venuti, Luciana Serra, Jochen Kretschmer, Bodo Wolf, Regina Jeske, Peter Schreier, Frank Höher, Hans-Joachim Loschnitz, Astrid Bloß, Gerhard Paul, Joachim Albrecht Goette, Dame Margaret Price, Marie McLaughlin, Wolfgang Kühne, Barbara Trommer, Kurt Moll (bass), Rudolf Donath, Michael Tellcke, Hans Jörn Weber, Wolfgang Dehler, Staatskapelle Dresden, Leipzig Radio Choir, Dresdner Kreuzchor, Sir Colin Davis *

Will Hartmann, Dorothea Röschmann, Diana Damrau, Franz-Josef Selig, Simon Keenlyside, Ailish Tynan, Adrian Thompson, Thomas Allen, Gillian Webster, Christine Rice, Yvonne Howard, Alan Oke, Graeme Broadbent, Matthew Beale, Richard Van Allan, Zico Shaker, Tom Chapman, John Holland-Avery, Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Sir Colin Davis (DVD/Blu-ray)

Martin Summer, Yasmin Özkan, Martin Piskorski, Fatma Said, Till von Orlowski, Sascha Emanuel Kramer, Theresa Zisser; Teatro alla Scala, Ádám Fischer (DVD/Blu-ray)

Josef Greindl, Walter Franck, Rita Streich, Maria Stader, Ruth Hellberg, Ernst Haefliger, Sebastian Fischer, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Walter Bluhm, Lisa Otto, Kim Borg, Wilhelm Borchert, RIAS-Kammerchor, RIAS Symphonie -Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Friscsay

Anton Dermota, Karl Schmitt-Walter, Erich Kunz, Walther Ludwig, Peter Klein, Josef Greindl, Ernst Haefliger, Hermann Gallos, Hermann Uhde, Irmgard Seefried, Karl Donch, Elisabeth Höngen, Wilma Lipp, Ruthilde Boesch, Paul Schöffler, Sieglinde Wagner,, Polly Batic, Gertrud Grob-Prandl, Edith Oravez, Elisabeth Rutgers, Vienna State Opera Chorus, Wiener Philharmoniker, Wilhelm Furtwängler *

Josef Greindl, Walther Ludwig, Paul Schöffler, Hermann Gallos, Karl Dönch, Wilma Lipp, Irmgard Seefried, Gertrude Grob-Prandl, Sieglinde Wagner, Elisabeth Höngen, Karl Schmitt-Walter, Edith Oravez, Peter Klein, Ernst Haefliger, Hermann Uhde, Wiener Philharmoniker, Chor der Wiener Staatsoper, Wilhelm Furtwängler

Michael Schade, Gerald Finley, Christiane Oelze, Cyndia Sieden, Harrie Peeters, Uwe Peper, Constanze Backes, Susan Roberts, Carola Guber, Maria Jones, Monteverdi Choir, John Eliot Gardiner *

Deon van der Walt, Ulrike Sonntag, Cornelius Hauptmann, Andrea Frei, Thomas Mohr, Patricia Rozario, Chor und Orchester der Ludwigsburger Schlossfestspiele, Wolfgang Gönnenwein (DVD)

Fritz Wunderlich, Albert van Naasteren, Maria van Dongen, Jan Derksen, Juliane Farkas, Nel Duval, Reinier Schweppe, Albert van Haasteren, Netherlands Radio Choir, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Bernard Haitink

Felicity Lott, Leo Goeke, Benjamin Luxon, Thomas Thomaschke, May Sandoz, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Bernard Haitink (DVD)

Wolfgang Brendel, Erich Kunz, Siegfried Jerusalem, Edita Gruberova, Roland Bracht, Lucia Popp, Brigitte Lindner, Waldemar Kmentt, Wolfgang Brendel, Heinz Zednik, Klaus V. Wildemann, Sinfonie-Orchester Des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Mitglieder Des Tölzer Knabenchors, Bernard Haitink *

Wilifried Gahmlich, Hellen Kwon, Lotte Leitner, Budapest Failoni Chamber Orchestra, Hungarian Festival Chorus, Michael Halasz

Anton Scharinger, Pamela Coburn, Gertraud Jesserer, Edita Gruberova, Peter Keller, Marjana Lipovsek, Waldemar Kmentt, Stefan Gienger, Hans Peter Blochwitz, Alexander Maly, Barbara Bonney, Thomas Hampson, Delores Ziegler, Thomas Moser, Matti Salminen, Markus Baur, Andreas Fischer, Antti Suhonen, Edith Schmid, Orchester der Oper Zürich, Philharmonia Zurich, Zürich Opera Orchestra, Zürich Opera Choir, Chor der Oper Zürich, Nikolaus Harnoncourt

Barbara Bonney, Edita Gruberová, Hans-Peter Blochwitz, Anton Scharinger, Matti Salminen, Vienna Singverein, Zurich Opera House Chorus & Orchestra, Nikolaus Harnoncourt *

Daniel Behle, Marlis Petersen, Daniel Schmutzhard, Sunhae Im, Anna-Kristiina Kaappola, Marcos Fink, Kurt Azesberger, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, René Jacobs

José van Dam, Karin Ott, Edith Mathis, Anna Tomowa-Sintow, Janet Perry, Gottfried Hornik, Victor von Halem, Claudio Nicolai , Francisco Araiza, Gottfried Hornik, Hanna Schwarz, Heinz Kruse, Agnes Baltsa, Volker Horn, Leopold Valenta, Heiner Hopfner, Berliner Philharmoniker, Tölzer Knabenchor, W.Bünten, Chr.Schulz, T. Pfülb, Chor der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Herbert von Karajan *

Wilma Lipp, Sena Jurinac, Irmgard Seefried, Hermine Steinmassl, Ludwig Weber, Erich Kunz, Annelies Stuckl, George London, Anton Dermota, Erich Majkut, Else Schürhoff, Emmy Loose, Peter Klein, Eleonore Dörpinghans, Harald Proglhoff, Ljubomir Pantscheff, Friedl Riegler, Wiener Philharmoniker, Wiener Singverein, Herbert von Karajan

Ermanno Lorenzi, Graziella Sciutti, Frederick Guthrie, Nicolai Gedda, Gerda Scheyrer, Grace Hoffman, Hilde Rössel-Majdan, Erich Kunz, Ingeborg Hallstein, Paul Kuen, Wilma Lipp, Kostas Paskalis, Gottlob Frick, Eberhard Wächter, Wiener Philharmoniker, Chor der Wiener Staatsoper, Herbert von Karajan *

Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Nicolai Gedda, Rita Streich, Mario Petri, Alda Noni, Giuseppe Taddei, RAI Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan *

Schock, Stich-Randall, Lipp, Grei, Kölner Rundfunk Sinfonie-Orchester, Joseph Keilberth

Gottlob Frick, Fritz Wunderlich, Eberhard Wächter, Erich Majkut, Ljubomir Pantscheff, Erika Köth, Lieselotte Folser, Lisa Otto, Hetty Plumacher, Sieglinde Wagner, Graziella Sciutti, Walter Berry, Kurt Marschner, Robert Charlesbois, Alois Pernerstorfer, Wiener Sängerknaben, Wiener Staatsoper, Wiener Philharmoniker, Joseph Keilberth *

Walter Berry, Pilar Lorengar, Waldemar Kmentt, Roberta Peters, Walter Kreppel, Paul Schöffler, Renate Holm, Renato Ercolani, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Chorus of the Vienna State Opera, Istvan Kertesz (DVD)

Mihaly Szekely, Laszlo Nagypal, Julia Osvath, Pal Fekete, Odon Mindszenti, Edina Pavlanszky, Budapest State Opera Orchestra, Budapest State Opera Choir, Otto Klemperer *

Ruth-Margret Pütz, Gottlob Frick, Karl Liebl, Lucia Popp, Gerhard Unger, Franz Crass, Christa Ludwig, Gundula Janowitz, Agnes Giebel, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Nicolai Gedda, Anna Reynolds, Josephine Veasey, Anna Reynolds, Walter Berry, Marga Hoeffgen, Philharmonia Orchestra, Philharmonia Chorus, Otto Klemperer

Richard Lewis, Geraint Evans, Joan Sutherland, Hans Hotter, Joan Carlyle, David Kelly, Robert Bowman, Jenifer Eddy, Edgar Evans, Victor Godfrey, Judith Pierce, Josephine Veasey, Monica Sinclair, Margaret Neville, Ann Hood , Marian Roberts, John Dobson, Ronald Lewis, Royal Opera House Covent Garden Opera, Otto Klemperer

(continued in Post 2)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

(continued from Post 1)


Isolde Siebert, Suzie Leblanc, Christoph Genz, Cornelius Hauptmann, Stephan Genz, Marie Kuijken, Philip Defrancq, Stephan Schreckenberger, Inge Van De Kerkhove, Patrizia Hardt, Petra Noskaiová, Chor und Orchester La Petite Bande, Sigiswald Kuijken

Zdislawa Donat, Horst Hiestermann, Elisabeth Kales, Christian Spatzek, Horst Nitsche, Tibor Tóth, Peter Weber, Martti Talvela, Karl Terkal, Wolfgang Scheider, Helge von Bomches, Fritz Peschke, Eric Tappy, Ileana Cotrubas, José van Dam, Christian Boesch, Thomas Paulsen, Rachel Yakar, Gerhard Eder, Ingrid Mayr, Trudeliese Schmidt, Gerhard Panzenböck,, Markus Huber,, Christian Baumgartner, Wiener Philharmoniker, James Levine *

Peter Schreier, Christian Boesch, Edita Gruberova, Ileana Cotrubas, Martti Talvela, Walter Berry, Horst Hiestermann, Gudrun Sieber, Wiener Philharmoniker, James Levine (DVD/Blu-ray)

Kathleen Battle, Luciana Serra, Francisco Araiza, Manfred Hemm, Kurt Moll, Barbara Kilduff, Heinz Zednik, Andreas Schmidt, Metropolitan Opera Chorus and Orchestra, James Levine.(DVD)

Kiri Te Kanawa, Peter Hofmann, Edita Gruberova, Kurt Moll, Kathleen Battle, Philippe Huttenlocher, Norbert Orth, Helena Döse, Ann Murray, Naoko Shara, Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg, Alain Lombard


Gottfried Hornik, Peter Svensson, Barbara Hendricks, June Anderson, Ulrike Steinsky, Petra Maria, Gabriele Sima, Daniel Ison, Nathan Watts, Julia Bernheimer, John Dawson, Jerry Hadley, Helmut Wildhaber, Thomas Allen, Robert Lloyd, Alastair Miles, Scottish Chamber Orchestra & Chorus, Sir Charles Mackerras

Barry Banks, Rebecca Evans, Elizabeth Vidal, Simon Keenlyside, John Tomlinson, Lesley Garrett, John Graham-Hall, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras (in English)

Kiri Te Kanawa, Cheryl Studer, Francisco Araiza, Samuel Ramey, Olaf Bär, José van Dam, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Neville Marriner *

René Pape, Genia Kühmeier, Paul Groves, Diana Damrau, Inga Kalna, Karine Deshayes, Ekaterina Gubanova, Christian Gerhaher, Irena Bespalovaite, Franz Grundheber, Burkhard Ulrich, Franz Grundheber, Simon O’Neill, Peter Loehle, Xavier Mas, Members of the Vienna Boys Choir, Wiener Staatsopernchor & Wiener Philharmoniker, Riccardo Muti (DVD)

Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Andreas Schmidt, Dawn Upshaw, Guy de Mey, Beverley Hoch, Olaf Bär, Catherine Denley, Catherine Pierard, Cornelius Hauptmann, Nancy Argenta, Eirian James, Tessa Bonner, London Classical Players, Sir Roger Norrington *

Håkan Hagegård, Kurt Streit, Gilles Cachemaille, Robert Worle, Sumi Jo, Dennis Naseband, Kai Suzuki, Kristinn Sigmundsson, Arman Tonsol, Ruth Ziesak, Petteri Salomaa, Barbara Bonney, Simon Schnorr, Karl Mottaw, Pia Hansen, Hans Randsholdt, Iris Vermillion, Lilian Watson, Helmuth Wogh, Johanes U. Vorbloem, Martin Petzold, Drottningholm Court Theatre Chorus, Drottningholm Theatre, Arnold Östman

Pavol Breslik, Kate Royal, Dimitry Ivashchenko, Ana Durlovski, Michael Nagy, Regula Mühlemann, Annick Massis, Magdalena Kofiená, Nathalie Stutzmann, José van Dam, James Elliott, Benjamin Hulett, Jonathan Lemalu, Andreas Schager, David Jerusalem, Berliner Philharmoniker, Sir Simon Rattle (DVD/Blu-ray)

Münchner Philharmoniker, Fritz Rieger

Klaus Florian Vogt, Christiane Karg, Rolando Villazón, Regula Mühlemann, Franz-Josef Selig, Albina Shagimuratova, Paul Schweinester, RIAS Kammerchor, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Yannick Nézet-Séguin

Kurt Moll, Francisco Araiza, Edita Gruberova, Lucia Popp & Wolfgang Brendel, Orchester der Bayerischen Staatsoper, Wolfgang Sawallisch (DVD)

Anneliese Rothenberger, Edda Moser, Peter Schreier, Walter Berry, Kurt Moll, Theo Adam, Chor & Orchester der Bayerischen Staatsoper, Wolfgang Sawallisch *

Iris de Koomen, Karin ten Cate, Joost van der Linden, Pieter Hendriks, Wendy Roobol, Jan Polak, Steven van Gils, Amsterdam Marionetten Theater Instrumental Ensemble, Vaughan Schlepp *

Elisabeth Grümmer, Ernst Kozub, Erika Köth, Gottlob Frick, Willy Wolf, Günther Ambrosius, Frankfurt Radio, Georg Solti

Stuart Burrows, Cristina Deutekom, Wolfgang Zimmer, René Kollo, Gerhard Stolze, Renate Holm, Yvonne Minton, Hermann Prey, Herbert Lackner, Hanneke Van Bork, Hans Sotin, Pilar Lorengar, Martti Talvela, Kurt Equiluz, Hetty Plumacher, Wiener Philharmoniker, Wiener Sängerknaben, Wiener Staatsoper, Sir Georg Solti

Uwe Heilmann, Ruth Ziesak, Michael Kraus, Sumi Jo, Kurt Moll, Wiener Philharmoniker, Sir Georg Solti

Matthias Goerne, Mauro Peter, Albina Shagimuratova, Christiane Karg, Adam Plachetka, Maria Nazarova, Michael Porter, Tareq Nazmi, Wiener Staatsopernchor, Wiener Philharmoniker, Constantinos Carydis, Lydia Steier (DVD/Blu-ray)

Hans Sotin,, Nicolai Gedda, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Cristina Deutekom, Edith Mathis, William Workman, Carol Malone, Franz Grundheber,, Hamburg State Philharmonic Orchestra, Horst Stein (DVD)

Peter Schreier, Gunther Lieb, Helen Donath, Sylvia Geszty, Theo Adam, Harald Neukirch, Siegfried Vogel, Renate Hoff, Staatskapelle Dresden, Rundfunkchor Leipzig, Otmar Suitner *

Renate Hoff, Andreas Illgen, Günther Leib, Sylvia Geszty, Olaf Bär, Leipzig Radio Choir, Gisela Schröter, Annelies Burmeister, Andreas Göhler, Harald Neukirch, Hanne-Lore Kuhse, Siegfried Vogel, Peter Schreier, Helen Donath, Theo Adam, Staatskapelle Dresden, Otmar Suitner *

Alfred Reiter, Norman Reinhardt, Ana Durlovski, Bernarda Bobro, Daniel Schmutzhard, Denise Beck, Prague Philharmonic Choir, Wiener Symphoniker, Patrick Summers (DVD)

Erich Majkut, Erika Köth, Alfred Jerger, Graziella Sciutti, Robert Charlebois, Friederike Sailer, Alois Pernerstorfer, Hetty Plumacher, Sieglinde Wagner, Leopold Simoneau, Walter Berry, Lisa della Casa, Karl Donch, Hans Hotter, Kurt Böhme, Wiener Philharmoniker, Wiener Sängerknaben, Wiener Staatsoper, George Szell *

Helge Rosvaenge, Willi Domgraf-Fassbaender, Julie Osvath, William Wernigk, Dora Komarek, Alexander Kipnis, Hilde Konetzni, Stefania Fratnikova, Kerstin Thorborg, Kurt Pech, Albert Fuehl, Fritz Mascha, Jarmila Novotna, Anton Dermota, Carl Bissuti, Wiener Philharmoniker, Arturo Toscanini *

Laurel Hurley, Lucine Amara, Brian Sullivan, Theodor Uppman, Roberta Peters, Jerome Hines, George London, Paul Francke, Metropolitan Opera, Bruno Walter *

David Portillo, Sofia Fomina, Björn Bürger, Brindley Sherratt, Caroline Wettergreen, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Glyndebourne Chorus, Ryan Wigglesworth (DVD/Blu-ray)


* = download only

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

To get the ball rolling:
I've had many recordings of this work over the years, starting with the Vienna Karajan, followed by the Vienna Bohm on Decca Ace of Diamonds. Then the first Vienna Solti (with an incredible line-up soloists), Beecham on the Nimbus reissue, Furtwangler, Fricsay and the Staatskapelle Dresden Colin Davis. One I've never had is the EMI/Warner Klemperer recording, as I'm not a great fan of O.K., but I'd like to hear that line-up of singers, including Lucia Popp as Queen of the Night.

I'm very interested in this BaL, and I suspect that Jacobs will feature in the shortlist.

[Barbirollians]

To get the ball rolling:
I've had many recordings of this work over the years, starting with the Vienna Karajan, followed by the Vienna Bohm on Decca Ace of Diamonds. Then the first Vienna Solti (with an incredible line-up soloists), Beecham on the Nimbus reissue, Furtwangler, Fricsay and the Staatskapelle Dresden Colin Davis. One I've never had is the EMI/Warner Klemperer recording, as I'm not a great fan of O.K., but I'd like to hear that line-up of singers, including Lucia Popp as Queen of the Night.

I'm very interested in this BaL, and I suspect that Jacobs will feature in the shortlist.

Heavens above Alpie - the Klemperer is sensational by miles my favourite .

[mikealdren]

My first CD recording was the much hyped Östman which never quite won my heart. Since then I've added Fricsay, Halász, Karajan VPO and Beecham. The Halász is a bit bland, the others are all good but, for me, the Beecham brings that magic to the flute.

Must have another listening session.

[Darloboy]

To get the ball rolling:
I've had many recordings of this work over the years, starting with the Vienna Karajan, followed by the Vienna Bohm on Decca Ace of Diamonds. Then the first Vienna Solti (with an incredible line-up soloists), Beecham on the Nimbus reissue, Furtwangler, Fricsay and the Staatskapelle Dresden Colin Davis. One I've never had is the EMI/Warner Klemperer recording, as I'm not a great fan of O.K., but I'd like to hear that line-up of singers, including Lucia Popp as Queen of the Night.

I'm very interested in this BaL, and I suspect that Jacobs will feature in the shortlist.

The Vienna Karajan was my first recording as well. Funnily enough, I had just ordered the Klemperer when this programme was announced. It was John Steane's and John Deathridge's first choice in 1976 and 2004 respectively. Steane also made Karajan 1950 his runner-up and Bohm 1964 was his choice with dialogue. He also recommended Beecham. Incidentally, I see that Beecham has been remastered by Pristine Classical - does anyone know how this sounds?

Otherwise in December 1982 Rodney Milnes chose Haitink and in March 1994 Steane (again) chose Solti's 1990 recording with the VPO; Ostman as period choice; and Karajan 1950 as mid-price choice.

Deathridge's Jan 2004 programme was the last time BaL covered this work. Curiously he spent about the 1st 15 mins covering the period recordings by Ostman, Gardiner and Norrington in some depth before dismissing all of them as too fast and then completely ignoring them for the rest of the programme. In addition to Klemperer, he recommended Fricsay as first choice with dialogue and Bohm as stereo choice with dialogue.

I have the Jacobs recording as well. I don't know whether Flora Willson is a fan of HIPP though. Just had a look and I can see that most of the operas she's covered on BaL have been from a later period. However, she does tend to make a DVD recommendation - and that's something I'd be interested to add to my collection.

Since the Deathridge programme in 2004, in addition to the Jacobs, there has also been the 2006 Abbado which was very highly rated at the time of its release plus last year's Nezet-Seguin.

Even as late as 1982 there were only 8 versions available when the programme was broadcast and even then Rodney Milnes reduced it to 6 by excluding the 2 without dialogue (Klemperer and Karajan). Recordings have growed like Topsy since - especially in the late 80s and early 90s - so I'd imagine we'll be getting a fairly short shortlist again.

[Panda]

Well I love this one : René Pape, Genia Kühmeier, Paul Groves, Diana Damrau, Inga Kalna, Karine Deshayes, Ekaterina Gubanova, Christian Gerhaher, Irena Bespalovaite, Franz Grundheber, Burkhard Ulrich, Franz Grundheber, Simon O’Neill, Peter Loehle, Xavier Mas, Members of the Vienna Boys Choir, Wiener Staatsopernchor & Wiener Philharmoniker, Riccardo Muti (DVD)


With the scenery of Karel Appel - it's a bit wacky, but personally I think it suits the opera I'm looking at it in a totality, not in a superiority of the quality of the singers/orchestra/conductor ( though they are no slouches) above the staging and general musicality. I love it because it theatrically hints at so many other things and I think that is what opera should do.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Talking of DVD recordings of the work, I also have Levine's Met Opera version (just added to the list ).

[Lordgeous]

And Beecham for me, but its time I heard some others, so looking forward to the BAL (with all the usual reservations!!!).

[CallMePaul]

Many years ago I was given the Haitink set on LP.which I still have although I hardly ever play vinyl LPs now. My CD version is Christie on Erato, which I find fine. I will listen to this with interest although I wish that the reviewer (not sure that I have come accross her before) makes a not-so-short list and is not as dismissive of HIPP versions as some reviewers have been in recent programmes.
Of modern instrument rrecordings, the Nézet-Séguin has an interesting cast and given good reviews of his othe Mozart opera recordings may be worth a listen. I am not put off by the casting of a Heldentenor as Tamino, even though Mozart might have preferred a lighter voice for this role.

[gurnemanz]

Well I love this one : René Pape, Genia Kühmeier, Paul Groves, Diana Damrau, Inga Kalna, Karine Deshayes, Ekaterina Gubanova, Christian Gerhaher, Irena Bespalovaite, Franz Grundheber, Burkhard Ulrich, Franz Grundheber, Simon O’Neill, Peter Loehle, Xavier Mas, Members of the Vienna Boys Choir, Wiener Staatsopernchor & Wiener Philharmoniker, Riccardo Muti (DVD)


With the scenery of Karel Appel - it's a bit wacky, but personally I think it suits the opera I'm looking at it in a totality, not in a superiority of the quality of the singers/orchestra/conductor ( though they are no slouches) above the staging and general musicality. I love it because it theatrically hints at so many other things and I think that is what opera should do.

Your description made me keen to get to know this version with a number of singers I like in the cast. (I only recently got to know its Pamina, Genia Kühmeier, via a lovely album Dvorák Songs & Duets with Bernarda Fink). I haved no DVD at the moment, only an ancient VHS of the Ingmar Bergman 1975 TV version which I remember loving but haven't seen for ages.

My current CD versions are Böhm BPO (with Fritz Wunderlich as Tamino), the classic Beecham -also BPO, and Östman. All recommendable but I suspect they all have reasons not to be BaL winners.

[BBMmk2]

Well, this one I won’t be listening too.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I watched the Met/Levine DVD last night, feeling slightly uncomfortable during the overture, in view of the allegations made about the conductor, but the superb voice of Kathleen Battle as Pamina made it a most satisfying evening. I even liked the Hockney-designed scenery.

[visualnickmos]

I watched the Met/Levine DVD last night, feeling slightly uncomfortable during the overture, in view of the allegations made about the conductor, but the superb voice of Kathleen Battle as Pamina made it a most satisfying evening. I even liked the Hockney-designed scenery.

Why would you possibly NOT like it, more than any other-designed scenery?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Why would you possibly NOT like it, more than any other-designed scenery?

Hockney's art ranges from utterly brilliant to something rather mundane. In this case it was the former.