Description:

Fidelio is an opera that lives in both the Classical and Romantic periods.  Wagner was very influenced by a performance he saw as a young man and Beethoven was starting to increase the size of the orchestra and add new instruments.  This performance represents both of those worlds well.  Both Maud Cunitz as Leonora and Ernst Kozub as Florestan sing with Mozartian grace and control and then let it loose when the moment calls for it.  Listen to the sample to get an idea of what I am talking about.  They are joined by Gottlob Frick as Rocco and Erika Köth.  The sound is slightly muffled and the overture is missing but don’t let that stand in your way of enjoying this wonderfully intimate performance.

OD 10187-2