5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A CLASSIC VERSION OF A BEAUTIFUL OPERETTA, Jan 31 2006
By L. Mitnick - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: V3 Schwarzkopf/Ackermann Opere (Audio CD)
EMI recorded these, their "Champagne Operettas" from 1953 to 1955 ("The Merry Widow", "The Land of Smiles" of Franz Lehar, and "A Night in Venice", "Weiner Blut", and "Der Zigeunerbaron" of Joanne Strass) and ALL of them, though cut to essentials in the performing tradition of the time, have yet to be bettered. With a conductor like Otto Ackermann, who possesed all the fizz and panache necessary for ideal execution of the Vienese operetta, success was a pretty safe bet. The "safe bet" became a foregone triumph by the pairing of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and Nicolai Gedda in all five of the operettas. Who, I ask, in this repertoire, has even come within miles of them? As it happens, this performance of "Zigeunerbaron" may be the best of the lot (although the same thing could be said of the others also!) These operettas are a joy to listen to, and perhaps BECAUSE of the cuts, are that much more listener-friendly and accessible. I don't know how long these classic recordings are going to be around, though I imagine that they'll always be available in SOME form, but as a set of five, and at these prices, they're a real steal. Buy all of them!
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
¡Perfect!, April 28 2005
By Ludwig Rain "Louis" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: V3 Schwarzkopf/Ackermann Opere (Audio CD)
I'm mexican, and I hope write in english a little review of this great recording. This is my second favorite opereta of Johann Strauss,-the first is "Die Fladermaus"- because there are a many freshing, inteligent, e intense melodic moments. Also, there are an excelent structure's unity, and no only a lot numbers of "arias" and "dialogs". The style "narrative" is used with inteligence and the orchestration is more eloquence.
About the performance, I can say that the singers are excellents, specially, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and Nicolai Gedda. Just listen the first love dueto of the second act. The orchestra, perfect: emocionally and technically. This is the last volume of the collection "Ackermann/Schwarzkopf", and this is my favorite: almost is complete -because in others, like the Volume I, there are many cuts-, and the performance is sublime. Just buy'it.
5.0 out of 5 stars
J. Strauss: Der Zigeunerbaron (The Gypsy Baron) / Schwarzkopf · Gedda · Kunz · Prey · Koth · PO · Ackermann, May 20 2012
By Bjorn Viberg - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: V3 Schwarzkopf/Ackermann Opere (Audio CD)
J. Strauss: Der Zigeunerbaron (The Gypsy Baron) / Schwarzkopf · Gedda · Kunz · Prey · Koth · PO · Ackermann is a 1958 EMI Classics recording starring Elisabeth Schwarzkopf in the role of Saffi. Otto Ackermann leads the Philharmonia Orchestra & Chorus. The booklet contains well-written music notes, a short synopsis, all the lyrics and photographs from the time of the recording. Ms Schwarzkopf is truly amazing in the role as Saffi. Highly recommended. 5/5.