Sunday, August 15, 2010

Sunday: Fidelio from Lucerne with Nina Stemme, Jonas Kaufmann, Peter Mattei... and Claudio Abbado

To cheer up your cloudy/rainy Sunday, you may wish to listen to the radio broadcast from the Lucerne Festival where the Mahler Chamber Orchestra conducted by a living legend, Claudio Abbado, will perform Beethoven's Fidelio (I don't know which version!) tonight [Sunday, August 15th] at 21:00 (cet).

A knockout cast includes: Nina Stemme, Jonas Kaufmann, Peter Mattei, Falk Struckmann, Christof Fischesser, Rachel Harnisch, and Christoph Strehl.


From the Lucerne Festival web-site: photo taken last Thursday during the first "Fidelio" concert


Even if you don't have bad weather today, I think this concert is worthy 2 hours of your time tonight. The press talks about the most unforgettable performance, so...

Here is the link to the Swiss radio DRS. Enjoy!

P.S. If you miss it tonight there will be a rerun on another radio station [link here] next September 4 at 20:05.

15 comments:

  1. I think there is a no more BORING opera than Fedelio. Aside from 4 overtures, and one big aria each for the soprano and tenor, there's nothing. This opera is a musicial desert with the occasional oasis of an aria.

    Why so many people pretend to go bonkers over it is beyond me.

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  2. I couldn't possibly disagree more - but hey, difft folks - difft strokes :)

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  3. You know, when I first saw Fidelio I was quite taken with it. I've heard it since and felt it sounded boring.



    Still can't seem to do an Open URL post.

    Lily

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  4. thank you for the update with the rerun date... I missed yesterday's broadcast... :-)

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  5. Thank you for posting this.
    This performance was a revelation - I think Fidelio is in a class by itself as far as opera goes.
    It got so little coverage anywhere else on blogs, so we are especially indebted to your "catching it"

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  6. I was there in Lucerne for both the thursday and sunday shows. This was a stellar cast on top form under a great conductor. The CD release of these shows will be the best Fidelio recording since Karajan 40 years ago. I can assure the previous poster that my enthusiasm for Fedelio (sic) isn't pretence, but based on having performed the opera more than a dozen times in pro choruses. If you don't like it, fine, but why not get the recording when i comes out? You might be converted ...

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  7. Do I understand from your post ( Anon who was there) that there are plans to release this CD, or is it just wishful thinking? It would be awesome - better than my lame attempt to record over the internet

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  8. I got a pretty good recording...not sure why yours is lame. E-mail ldarras103@gmail.com if you want a copy.

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  9. Thank you for your generosity, schmup53. I got "wobble" during the first act - but will try again when it is broadcast in September. If that fails, I may contact you then. Again, thanks for the generous offer!

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  10. Hi Schmup 53, I'd certainly like a recording: scarbery@mac.com ...

    ...CR, yes there is going to be a CD release, but no idea when. I also hear that the radio broadcast will be repeated sometime in september on DR2, I think. if I get any more info I'll post again.

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  11. ..sep 4, link below!
    (P.S. If you miss it tonight there will be a rerun on another radio station [link here] next September 4 at 20:05.)

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  12. Woe is me! My husband is suffering from cancer and music is our way of coping. I had DR2 all set up to listen last evening, early morning in Australia when Melbourne was hit with a tremendous storm, heavy rain and gale force winds. About 2.00 a.m. the power failed due to trees falling on the powerlines. I am so sad that I missed this second broadcast and wonder whether anyone knows if there will be another repeat. By al accounts this was a very special night. Loisbxtn@gmail.com

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  13. Hi lois!

    I've sent you an e-mail this morning (my time). It's certainly dry because I was in the middle of doing something work related, but it contains useful information ;)

    Sorry for all your troubles. Take care!

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  14. Dear Opera Cake..it has taken a few days but we have now had an opportunity to listen. My husband is a Beethoven fan and so was particularly keen to hear it and praised all the singers. I thought it was interesting to contrast "Gott, welch' Dunkel hier" with the Sehnsucht version. For all those who do not like Fidelio, that's fair enough - it would be a dull world.....but at least it has a happy ending! thanks O.C...Lois

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