Richard Strauss ( 1864 - 1949)
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Ljuba Welitsch, Herbert Janssen, Frederick Jagel
Kerstin Thorborg, Brian Sullivan, Herta Glaz
Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
dir: Fritz Reiner
Gebhardt (2003) 2 CDs - ADD 24 bit remastering
Live recording ,Metropolitan Opera House 12.03.1949
(Good sound for a live from 1949)
[flac & cue, cover, track list, disc scans]
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Kerstin Thorborg, Brian Sullivan, Herta Glaz
Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
dir: Fritz Reiner
Gebhardt (2003) 2 CDs - ADD 24 bit remastering
Live recording ,Metropolitan Opera House 12.03.1949
(Good sound for a live from 1949)
[flac & cue, cover, track list, disc scans]
I had read over the years in different publications that Ljuba Welitsch was synonymous with Salome. After listening to this recording I completely agree. There are singers and roles that achieve such symbiosis that one thinks that they are not performing but that they are the real character.
Wonderful without any doubt. Although it is a recording from 1949, in this remastering the voices are clearly heard and although the orchestra is in the background, you can perfectly appreciate the wonderful conducting of the maestro Reiner.
Unfortunately there isn't a booklet or any information about that opera evening nor the singers but a simple track list.
Review
"This recording of Richard Strauss' Salome is THE ONE. Ljuba Welitsch, without question the best Salome ever recorded, is in her prime, captured in a magical performance which is both beautifully sung and arresting in its commitment to the character. Paired with Fritz Reiner, one of the fieriest of opera conductors, and a terrific supporting cast, this 1949 live recording from the Met is beyond fabulous, it's legendary.
I mean, from the moment this recording starts, its seductive power draws you in. It's captivating. Welitsch gives a vocally impeccable performance which combines power, musicianship and madness in a way which makes Strauss' brutally difficult score sound natural and easy... divine! Incredible! Thrilling!
There are very few recordings that capture the best of what opera has to offer; this is one of them.
I have listened to many many recordings of Salome over the years, seen many performances; this is the ultimate. The sound quality is somewhat marginal by today's standards because of the imperfections of the source material, but who cares! If you want to hear Salome as it ought to be sung, GET THIS RECORDING! It's worth every penny.
Richard Strauss must have thanked his lucky stars when Ljuba Welitsch walked onto the scene, shortly before his death, and sang his Salome for him. Some say that there has never been a greater match between an artist and a role, and this recording captures that magic for posterity. In opera circles, people are STILL talking about this performance even though it happened so long ago that most of the people who saw it are dead. I'm not kidding, this is one of the greats. Enjoy!"www.amazon.com - M. Masumoto