Lehar: The Merry Widow

Lehar: The Merry Widow

Lehar: The Merry Widow
List Price: $16.98
Our Price: $9.80
You Save: $7.18 (42%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $2.24 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details
Listen soundtracks from this album


(Click here)
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store

CD Details

Composer: Franz Lehar
Conductor: John Eliot Gardiner
Orchestra: Wiener Philharmoniker
Orchestra: The Monteverdi Choir
Performer: Cheryl Studer
Performer: Bo Skovhus
Performer: Barbara Bonney
Performer: Rainer Trost
Performer: Bryn Terfel
Performer: Donna Deam
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 1995-02-14
Music Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Soundtracks:
  1. The Merry Widow - Act 1: Introduction
  2. The Merry Widow - Act 1: Ball Music And Dialogue
  3. The Merry Widow - Act 1: Duet
  4. The Merry Widow - Act 1: Dialogue
  5. The Merry Widow - Act 1: Entrance Song & Ensemble
  6. The Merry Widow - Act 1: Ball Music
  7. The Merry Widow - Act 1: Entrance Song
  8. The Merry Widow - Act 1: Dialogue
  9. The Merry Widow - Act 1: Duet
  10. The Merry Widow - Act 1: Dialogue And Finale 1
  11. The Merry Widow - Act 2: Introduction
  12. The Merry Widow - Act 2: Dialogue
  13. The Merry Widow - Act 2: Duet
  14. The Merry Widow - Act 2: Dialogue & Septet
  15. The Merry Widow - Act 2: Dialogue & Duet
  16. The Merry Widow - Act 2: Dialogue & Duet
  17. The Merry Widow - Act 2: Dialogue
  18. The Merry Widow - Act 2: Finale 2
  19. The Merry Widow - Act 3: Intermezzo
  20. The Merry Widow - Act 3: Dans scene
  21. The Merry Widow - Act 3: Dialogue & Chanson
  22. The Merry Widow - Act 3: Dialogue
  23. The Merry Widow - Act 3: Duet
  24. The Merry Widow - Act 3: Dialogue
  25. The Merry Widow - Act 3: Finale

Music reviews of Lehar: The Merry Widow

Music Review: Sparkling, Brilliant Production
Rating: 5 Stars

First a disclaimer: I am a teenage music student and not a "qualified," per se, music critic. I think, though, that I fairly represent many lay opera fans in my opinions, so I hope my review will be worthwhile.

The only recording I have compared this to is the Schwarzkopf recording & the video with Joan Sutherland. I prefer this to both because, although I am aware that the Schwarzkopf version is acclaimed, I found the comic aspect of it overdone...it seemed they focused more on that than the beauty of the voices. John Eliot Gardener's productions (at least, the many I have heard) always seem to be compiled of the most gorgeous voices of the century. The Sutherland performance was good, but I thought that the lack of the charm of the original German made it sparkle less. So onto the pros and cons of this recording.

Bryn Terfel as Zita! Usually the Gilbertian, patter-baritone comic man gets this role; now we have it with someone who can actually sing! I never realized how beautiful his first solo is...Terfel can make any tune attractive. His acting is admittedly, a little over-the-top, but isn't that expected in an operetta?

Barbara Bonney as Valancienne! Bonney is not suited for every role, but she is flawless in this one. Her pristine, light voice brings out all the flirtasiousness of her character, and she plays off a lovely Camille.

Cheryl Studer...I have utmost respect for this great singer, but, let's face it, she can be annoying as Hanna. Her vocal acting seems to consist mainly (in this role) of reaching high notes and getting quieter, almost whiney, on them. It makes me want Joan Sutherland to get back on the scene. She's not bad, and the voice itself is lovely, but she can get monotinous in the comical aspects.

Bo Skovhus...a good, in-character Danilo...I was never really a big Danilo fan, so I'm no real crtitic. His aria ("Lolo, Dodo, Jou-jou, Clou-clou, Margot, Frou-Frou") was entertaining if not brilliant.

Aside from the cast - and they are all good, though Valancienne, Camille, and Zita will likely be most memorable - I adore Gardener's conducting. The tempos, to my unqualified ear, are never too fast or two slow, and the orchestra and chorus are clear and clean. The chorus number before "Viljia" is just chilling in its loveliness.

Personally, I wouldn't own any other recording! Highly recomended.
More Lehar: The Merry Widow free music reviews:
1

Description of Lehar: The Merry Widow

All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

Classical CDs
Music Genres
Bestsellers in Classical CDs
Winterscapes ImageWinterscapes
by London Philharmonic
Prophetic Voice; Published: 2000-07; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $2.75
Price in other shops: $6.99
The Queen, the Bear, & the Bumblebee ImageThe Queen, the Bear, & the Bumblebee
by Dini Petty
Children's Group; Published: 2001-03; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $13.38
Price in other shops: $13.98
Beethoven Lives Upstairs Cdr ImageClassical Kids - Beethoven Lives Upstairs Cdr
Release date: 2000-04-05; Music CD
Best price: $24.98
Tchaikovsky (Life and Works (Naxos)) ImageTchaikovsky (Life and Works (Naxos))
by Malcolm Sinclair, Jeremy Siepmann
Naxos; Published: 2003-11; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $35.99
Jose Carreras - Jubileum Concert [VHS] ImageJose Carreras - Jose Carreras - Jubileum Concert [VHS]
Sling Shot; Release date: 2000-04-18; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $5.86
Price in other shops: $9.99
Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Nureyev, Park, Royal Ballet [VHS] ImageTchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Nureyev, Park, Royal Ballet [VHS]
Kultur Video; Release date: 1997-09-09; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.89
Price in other shops: $29.95
Lonely Town Lonley Street / Sergeant's Early Dream [VHS] ImageRambert Dance Company - Lonely Town Lonley Street / Sergeant's Early Dream [VHS]
Kultur Video; Release date: 1997-10-28; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops: $29.95
Winter Music: Composing the North ImageWinter Music: Composing the North
by John Luther Adams
Wesleyan; Published: 2004-11-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $25.21
Price in other shops: $25.95
Puccini - La Fanciulla del West / Santi, Domingo, Neblett, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] ImagePuccini - La Fanciulla del West / Santi, Domingo, Neblett, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS]
Kultur Video; Release date: 1999-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $6.38
Price in other shops: $29.95
Verdi - Falstaff / Giulini, Bruson, Ricciarelli, Nucci, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] ImageVerdi - Falstaff / Giulini, Bruson, Ricciarelli, Nucci, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS]
Kultur Video; Release date: 1999-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $12.95
Price in other shops: $29.95
Similar CDs
The Bartered Bride ImageThe Bartered Bride
Release date: 1998-11-01; Music CD
Best price: $9.72
Price in other shops: $11.98
Bruckner: 9 Symphonies [Box Set] ImageBruckner: 9 Symphonies [Box Set]
Release date: 2008-11-18; Music CD
Best price: $22.35
Price in other shops: $32.98
Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus ImageJohann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus
Release date: 2009-11-17; Music CD
Best price: $9.63
Price in other shops: $23.98
Lehar: Die lustige Witwe ImageLehar: Die lustige Witwe
Release date: 2005-07-19; Published: 2005-07-08; DVD
Best price: $20.96
Price in other shops: $29.99
Lehar - Merry Widow / Kenny, Skovhus, Kirchschlager, Turay, Kunzel, San Francisco Opera ImageLehar - Merry Widow / Kenny, Skovhus, Kirchschlager, Turay, Kunzel, San Francisco Opera
Naxos OF America INC; Release date: 2003-08-19; DVD
Best price: $20.82
Price in other shops: $29.99
Overtures & Waltzes ImageOvertures & Waltzes
Release date: 2003-08-26; Music CD
Best price: $8.47
Price in other shops: $16.99
The Best Of Franz Lehár [Australia] ImageThe Best Of Franz Lehár [Australia]
Release date: 2005-03-31; Music CD
Best price: $12.98
Lehár: The Merry Widow ImageLehár: The Merry Widow
Release date: 2004-03-23; Music CD
Best price: $2.96
Price in other shops: $7.98
Lehár: The Merry Widow (Highlights) (Sung In English) ImageLehár: The Merry Widow (Highlights) (Sung In English)
Release date: 2002-01-28; Music CD
Best price: $4.35
Price in other shops: $10.98
The Merry Widow Image1964 Music Theater of Lincoln Center Cast Recording - The Merry Widow
Release date: 2011-05-17; Music CD
Best price: $10.93
Price in other shops: $11.98
Books | DVD Video | VHS Video | Health and Personal Care | Digital Cameras and Photo | Kitchen and Housewares | Tools and Hardware | Sports Equipment | Dresses shirts shoes apparel pants
Copyright © 2004-2007 music-hills.com
Google
 
Web music-hills.com
Compare prices and find music notes for more than one million Music CD titles