Credits:

Verdi (1813-1901)

Description:

An explosion of Maazel's brilliance! Falstaff" during his tenure as Music Director of the Vienna State Opera! And a superb cast! Lorin Maazel was appointed as the director of the Vienna State Opera in 1982 (the first conductor since Karajan) and earned a high reputation for his energetic activities. However, for various reasons, he was forced to resign after only two years. As a result, there are few recordings of operas from this period, and the true value of Maazel's work in Vienna has not been well known. This live recording of "Falstaff," made on February 2, 1983, is a marvel, with music of such a high degree of perfection that it is hard to believe that it was recorded live on a single recording. The orchestra handles Verdi's intricate music with the sharpness of Maazel's first-rate conducting, and at times the sweet melodies are sung enrapturedly. As is typical of Mazère, he also does an excellent job of bringing to life the music that Verdi wrote so meaningfully here and there. Listening to this, it seems as if Maazel was about 20 years ahead of his time and was rebuffed by the conservative Viennese. The singers are also very gorgeous. The singers include the great Viennese veteran, Berry's grand Falstaff, Zancanaro, Alaisa, Lorenger, Ludwig, and many other great singers. Nannetta is joined by Weisz, who was very successful as a daughter at the Vienna State Opera in the 1980s, and Caius, who is well known to the audience as Zednik.Of course, the lustrous sound of the Viennese orchestra is also a treat to hear and can be enjoyed in an excellent stereo recording. Please enjoy this rare live performance of an opera from Maazel's peak period! ［Comment courtesy of King International.

Tracklisting:

1.Falstaff: Act 1. Part 1. Falstaff! - Ola! - Sir John Falstaff!
2.Falstaff: Act 1. Part 1. Sei polli: sei scellini... So che se andiam, la notte
3.Falstaff: Act 1. Part 1. L'onore! Ladri!
4.Falstaff: Act 1. Part 2. Alice - Meg - Nannetta
5.Falstaff: Act 1. Part 2. "Fulgida Alice! amor t'offro"... Quell'otre, quel tino
6.Falstaff: Act 1. Part 2. E un ribaldo, un furbo, un ladro
7.Falstaff: Act 1. Part 2. Pst, pst, Nannetta
8.Falstaff: Act 1. Part 2. Falstaff m'ha canzonata... Torno all'assalto
9.Falstaff: Act 1. Part 2. Udrai quanta egli sfoggia
10.Falstaff: Act 2. Part 1. Siam pentiti e contriti
11.Falstaff: Act 2. Part 1. Reverenza!
12.Falstaff: Act 2. Part 1. Alice e mia! Va', vecchio John
13.Falstaff: Act 2. Part 1. Signore, V'assista il cielo!
14.Falstaff: Act 2. Part 1. C'e a Windsor una dama
15.Falstaff: Act 2. Part 1. E sogno? o realta?
16.Falstaff: Act 2. Part 2. Presenteremo un bill... Giunta all'albergo della Giarrettiera
17.Falstaff: Act 2. Part 2. Fra poco s'incomincia la commedia!
18.Falstaff: Act 2. Part 2. "Alfin t'ho colto, raggiante fior"
19.Falstaff: Act 2. Part 2. "Quand'ero paggio del Duca di Norfolk"... Signora Alice!
20.Falstaff: Act 2. Part 2. Egli scavalca le siepi del giardino... Vien qua - Che chiasso
21.Falstaff: Act 2. Part 2. Al ladro!