Montserrat Caballé, Nicolai Ghiaurov & Leonard Bernstein – R. Strauss: Selections From “Salome”, 5 Songs; Boito: Mefistofele (Prologo) (1978/2017) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Montserrat Caballé, Nicolai Ghiaurov & Leonard Bernstein – R. Strauss: Selections From “Salome”, 5 Songs; Boito: Mefistofele (Prologo) (1978/2017)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:06:40 minutes | 1,20 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Deutsche Grammophon (DG)

This album offers Leonard Bernstein in some quite rare (at least for him, on disc) operatic repertoire. Given his flair for the dramatic, it’s not surprising that Bernstein would take so winningly to Strauss’s Salome. The Dance of the Seven Veils is full of color, sparkle, and cloying sensuality […] Montserrat Caballé sings with solid, beautifully produced tone and communicates a sense of unbearable longing […] She’s also very good in the lighter, sweeter Strauss songs that follow. There hardly could be a more extreme contrast with Salome than Boito’s Mefistofele, yet Bernstein – never one to shy away from the grandiose – pulls out all the stops in conjuring up the heavenly realm, with its clarion trombones and angelic choirs. Bass Nicolai Ghiaurov gives an arresting portrayal of the title character.” (Classicstoday)

“[The Boito] was recorded in Vienna, with Ghiaurov once again putting on diabolical style to admiration, with glorious Viennese choirs, the world’s most lovable orchestra, and a sumptuous, broadly spread acoustic and wide range of dynamics.” (Gramophone)

“I think that Strauss himself would have relished the warmth and sensuality of [Caballé’s] finely controlled soprano. In this performance, which begins at Es ist kein Laut zu vernehmen, Caballé receives thrilling support from the French National Orchestra under Bernstein, who also contribute an insinuating and full-blooded account of the Dance of the Seven Veils and then accompany the singer in Strauss’s own orchestral arrangements of five of his bestloved songs. These orchestrated versions suit Caballé’s rather grand style better, I feel, than the more intimate, pianoaccompanied originals […]. I warmly recommend this firstrate recording both to Strausslovers and to bel canto enthusiasts.” ( Records and Recording)

Tracklist:
1-01. Montserrat Caballe – Salome, Op.54, TrV 215 / Scene 4 – ‘Es ist kein Laut zu vernehmen’ (17:19)
1-02. Orchestre National de France – Salome, Op.54, TrV 215 / Scene 4 – Salome’s Dance Of The Seven Veils (09:43)
1-03. Montserrat Caballe – 4 Lieder, Op.27, TrV 170 – 2. Cacilie (02:01)
1-04. Montserrat Caballe – 5 Lieder, Op.41, TrV 195 – 1. Wiegenlied (04:20)
1-05. Montserrat Caballe – Sechs Lieder, Op.37, TrV 187 – 2. Ich liebe dich (02:16)
1-06. Montserrat Caballe – 4 Lieder, Op.27, TrV 170 – 4. Morgen (03:48)
1-07. Montserrat Caballe – 8 Gedichte aus ‘Letzte Blatter’, Op.10, TrV 141 – 1. Zueignung (01:44)
1-08. Nicolai Ghiaurov – Mefistofele – original version / Prologue – Preludio (09:50)
1-09. Nicolai Ghiaurov – Mefistofele – original version / Prologue – Ave, Signor degli angeli e dei santi! (04:13)
1-10. Nicolai Ghiaurov – Mefistofele – original version / Prologue – T’e noto Faust? (03:14)
1-11. Nicolai Ghiaurov – Mefistofele – original version / Prologue – Siam nimbi volanti dai limbi (02:03)
1-12. Nicolai Ghiaurov – Mefistofele – original version / Prologue – Salve Regina! (06:02)

Personnel:
Montserrat Caballe, soprano
Nicolai Ghiaurov, bass
Orchestre National de France
Chor der Wiener Staatsoper
Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen
Wiener Philharmoniker
Leonard Bernstein, conductor

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