J. Strauss - Die Fledermaus / Varady, Popp, Prey, Rebroff, Kollo, Weikl, Bayerischen Staatsorchester, Kleiber at Music Hills.com

Music CD 1

Die Fledermaus: Overture
Die Fledermaus: Act 1 - No. 1 Introduction: 'Taubchen, Das Entflattert Ist'
Die Fledermaus: Act 1 - Dialog: 'Taubchen, Das Entflattert Ist'
Die Fledermaus: Act 1 - No. 1a (Duettino): 'Ach, Ich Darf Nicht Hin Zu Dir!'
Die Fledermaus: Act 1 - Dialog: 'Die Arme Tante'
Die Fledermaus: Act 1 - No. 2 Terzett: 'Nein, Mit Solchen Advocaten'
Die Fledermaus: Act 1 - Dialog: 'Sal Mal, Also Statt Funf Musst Du Acht Tage Sitzen?'
Die Fledermaus: Act 1 - No. 3 Duett: 'Komm Mit Mir Zum Souper'
Die Fledermaus: Act 1 - Dialog: 'Seid Ihr Verruckt Geworden?'
Die Fledermaus: Act 1 - No. 4 Terzett: 'So Muss Allein Ich Bleiben'
Die Fledermaus: Act 1 - Dialog: 'Ach...Diese Manner'
Die Fledermaus: Act 1 - No. 5 Finale: 'Trinke, Liebchen, Trinke Schnell...Mit Mir So Spat Im Tete-a-tete...Mein Schones, Grosses Vogelhaus'

Music CD 2

Die Fledermaus: Act 2 - No. 6 Introduktion: 'Ein Souper Heut Uns Winkt'
Die Fledermaus: Act 2 - Dialog: 'Adele, Wer Hat Denn Dich Hierher Eingeladen?'
Die Fledermaus: Act 2 - No. 7 Couplets: 'Ich Lade Gern Mir Gaste Ein'
Die Fledermaus: Act 2 - Dialog: Durchlaucht, Hier Ist Ihre Brieftasche Wieder'
Die Fledermaus: Act 2 - No. 8 Ensemble Und Couplets 'Ach, Meine Herr'n Und Damen'
Die Fledermaus: Act 2 - 'Mein Herr Marquis'
Die Fledermaus: Act 2 - Dialog: 'Hoheit, Ein Chevalier Chagrin Ist Da'
Die Fledermaus: Act 2 - No. 9 Duett: 'Dieser Anstand, So Manierlich'
Die Fledermaus: Act 2 - Dialog: 'Ah, Da Ist Ja Die Schone Unbekannte!'
Die Fledermaus: Act 2 - No. 10 Csardas: 'Klange Der Heimat'
Die Fledermaus: Act 2 - Dialog: 'Bravo! Bravissimo!'
Die Fledermaus: Act 2 - No. 11 Finale: 'Im Feuerstrom Der Reben'
Die Fledermaus: Act 2 - 'Herr Chevalier, Ich Grusse Sie! ... Merci, Merci, Merci!... Bruderlein Und Schwesterlein'
Die Fledermaus: Act 2 - Dialog: 'Wir Werden Jetzt Schen Das Ballet'
Die Fledermaus: Act 2 - Polka: Unter Donner Und Blitz
Die Fledermaus: Act 2 - 'Genug Damit, Genug!'
Die Fledermaus: Act 3 - No. 12 Entr'acte
Die Fledermaus: Act 3 - Dialog: 'Taubchenm das entflattert ist'
Die Fledermaus: Act 3 - No. 13 Melodram: 'So, D War'n Wir Ja Zu Hause Im Vogelhaus'
Die Fledermaus: Act 3 - Dialog: 'Ah, Der Herr Direktor Ist Entschlafen'
Die Fledermaus: Act 3 - No. 14 Couplets: 'Speil' ich Die Unschuld Vom Lande'
Die Fledermaus: Act 3 - Dialog: 'Herr Direktor!'
Die Fledermaus: Act 3 - No. 15 Terzett: 'Ich Stehe Voll Zagen'
Die Fledermaus: Act 3 - Dialog: 'Also, Du Willst Mir Vorwufe Machen?'
Die Fledermaus: Act 3 - No. 16 Finale: 'O Fledermaus, O Fledermaus'

Music reviews of J. Strauss - Die Fledermaus / Varady, Popp, Prey, Rebroff, Kollo, Weikl, Bayerischen Staatsorchester, Kleiber

Music Review: Prey and Popp are perfect
Rating: 5 Stars

First, the version with Te Kanawa, Brendel, Fassbaender, Gruberova et al. This is a very good version, but with some exceptions though. There are added sound effects such as people laughing, partying, clinking glasses, etc. To some, this detracts from the recording. I think it's fine though. But, my main reservation is Edita Gruberova. If you like her, you'll love the recording... hands down. For me though, I can't stand her singing coloratura for which the role of Adele demands. And that is the main reason why I can't force myself to get this recording. However, Dame Kiri is wonderful in the role of von Eisenstein's wife and does a superb job. The other singers do a fine job as well. Andre Previn and the Vienna Philharmonic speak for themselves... world-class. However, my main reservation again is Gruberova. If you've never heard her... I advise you to stay away from this recording. A final note: It's 30+ dollars.

Second is the recording with Karajan, Schwarzkopf, Gedda, Streich, et al. Although I haven't heard anything from this recording, I do know it was recorded in the 50's and the sound is not quite up to par. Streich as I understand it, is playing the role of Adele, which at least guarantees us that Schwarzkopf won't be doing any coloratura, thank god. Her voice was more suited to lyric roles such as von Eisenstein's wife which she does play in this recording. Gedda is a matter of taste. I personally don't like the whininess of his tenor voice, but that's just my preference. He certainly is well known though. The price is 20+ dollars and there are no samples for you to listen to.

And finally, for this recording. I already told you that I love it, claiming "Prey and Popp are perfect." The other roles are well sung though as well, even though the people singing them may be lesser-knowns. Ms. Varady does a fine job. People object to this recording for having a man sing the part of Prinz Orlofsky and having a baritone sing the traditionally tenor part of von Eisenstein. Ivan Rebroff plays the part of the Prinz and in my opinion does the role justice. Hermann Prey isn't the only baritone to have sung the part of von Eisenstein too. I recently heard the baritone Thomas Allen in the Lyric Opera of Chicago's performance of this opera playing von Eisenstein. I actually prefer a baritone in the role now. And Mr. Prey does a wonderful job with it. And now for Popp. I have to admit, I'm in love with her voice. Her tone, technique, and everything about her is just wonderful in my mind. She had the skills to do both lyric AND coloratura roles. It's unfortunate that she died long before her time, she could have done so much more. Here, she does a fantastic job with the role of Adele and is the final reason why I love this recording. And the price... 20+ dollars.

So which one to pick? Well, if you are in love with Edita Gruberova, it's the Previn version hands down, and you probably haven't read this far due to your disgust with my dislike of her anyways. For me, it's this recording... obviously! A good price, and with two well-known principles, Prey and Popp with a good cast all-around. The Karajan, Schwarzkopf, Gedda recording would be my second choice, although some people don't like Karajan's conducting, and even though it's by EMI, the fact that it was recorded a while ago means not top-notch sound quality.

J. Strauss - Die Fledermaus / Varady, Popp, Prey, Rebroff, Kollo, Weikl, Bayerischen Staatsorchester, Kleiber