Léhar: The Land of Smiles; The Merry Widow; The Count of Luxembourg (Highlights)

Léhar: The Land of Smiles; The Merry Widow; The Count of Luxembourg (Highlights)

Léhar: The Land of Smiles; The Merry Widow; The Count of Luxembourg (Highlights)

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CD Details

Performer: Denis Dowling
Performer: Leslie Fyson
Performer: Neilson Taylor
Composer: Franz Lehar
Conductor: Vilem Tausky
Conductor: William Reid
Performer: Janet Leggat
Orchestra: Sadler's Wells Opera Orchestra
Orchestra: Studio 2 Concert Orchestra
Performer: Angela Wheeldon
Performer: Deidree Thurlow
Performer: Dorothy Nash
Performer: Elizabeth Fretwell
Performer: Irene Carpenter
Performer: June Bronhill
Performer: Lily Gribbin
Performer: Marion Lowe
Performer: Charles Craig
Performer: James Lewington
Performer: John Kentish
Edition: Music CD
Format: Import
CD Release Date: 2003-09-02
Music Label: Class. for Pleas. Us

Music reviews of Léhar: The Land of Smiles; The Merry Widow; The Count of Luxembourg (Highlights)

Music Review: Arguably "The Best" English "Merry Widow "
Rating: 5 Stars

This is the "Merry Widow" with English translation by Christopher Hassel sung by June Bronhill. I loved this rendition ever since I first heard it in about 1960. What's to love? First the translation is the best I've heard. The language doesn't sound "stilted" as some others. And, you can understand almost every word sung. Plus, the famous song, "Vilja" has some wording that moves me every time I hear it: The soprano sings, "Love me and I'll DIE for you!" with the word "die" somewhat emphasized. I don't know, there's just something "powerful" about someone saying they'd "die" for love! AND, at the end of "Vilja" the chorus and soprano raise to a crescendo hitting a high note together. In many renditions the chorus is heard but not the soprano on the final high note. In THIS version, the soprano, June Bronhill, can be heard rising to the final high note with an incressing crescendo and fortissimo louder than the chorus and holding the final high note---which gives a very thrilling effect as she holds that final note, I assure you!

The "problem" is that this June Bronhill, Reid, and Hassel version is hard to find on CD. For example, this CD is made in Holland and "there is one left" so it says on Amazon. But, if you can find it, I think it would be very much worth a listen. Then, after hearing it, if you think there's a "better" Merry Widow, please let ME know! Thanks. Email:boland7214@aol.

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