Peter Schreier tenor
Edith Mathis soprano
Hermann Prey baritone
Theo Adam baritone
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau tenor
Rundfunkchor Berlin
Staatskapelle Berlin
Otmar Suitner conductor
Format
3 CD
Cat. number
94689
EAN code
5028421946894
Release
October 2013
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Franz Schubert was a prolific composer, perhaps best known for his symphonies and chamber music, but he also turned his hand to Romantic opera. Despite having no experience of seeing his theatrical works performed on stage, Schubert’s enthusiasm for the genre was not dampened. In 1821, in close collaboration with librettist Franz von Schober, the composer began work on Alfonso und Estrella. He would never see the opera performed during his lifetime, and although it was premiered by Franz Lizst in Weimar in 1854, the work – criticised for its lack of dramatic action – would never make it into the core repertoire.
While the opera would not necessarily triumph onstage from a dramatic point of view, a recording is the perfect medium in which to revel in the charming lyricism of the work. This special recording from 1978 brought the opera out of neglect, boasting an impressive list of singers. Schreier is praised for his ‘elegant tones and graceful phrasing’ (Gramophone) in the role of Alfonso, and Mathis brings warmth and sensitivity to the role of Estrella. The cast list also boasts internationally acclaimed baritone, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, whose duet with Herman Prey – in which their voices unite ‘in consummate artistry’ (Gramophone)– is undoubtedly a highlight of the recording.
Other information:
- This 1978 recording is the first issue of the opera, presenting the strongest cast possible: Edith Mathis, Hermann Prey, Peter Schreier, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Eberhard Büchner, Theo Adam, voices in their full glory and bloom, expertly supported by the Staatskapelle Berlin conducted by Otmar Suitner.
- During his whole (short) life Franz Schubert tried to gain public success by writing operas in the then popular Italian style of Rossini. Sadly his breakthrough never came, and his operas, many of which were not completed, were never performed during his lifetime.
- Alfonso und Estrella contains vintage Schubert: lyricism, charm, and his godly melodic gift, more than compensating a certain lack of dramatic action.
- Contains liner notes and synopsis.
- Libretti available at www.brilliantclassics.com.
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella: Overture. Andante – Allegro
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 1: No. 1 Introduction “Still noch decket uns die Nacht” (Chorus, Alto, Tenor)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 1: No. 2 Aria “Sei mir gegrüßt, o Sonne!” (Froila)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 1: No. 3 Chorus and Ensemble “Versammelt Euch, Brüder” (Chorus, A maiden, A youth, Froila)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 1: No. 4 Duet “Geschmückt von Glanz und Siegen” (Froila, Alfonso)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 1: No. 5 Recitative “Es ist dein streng Gebot” (Alfonso, Froila)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 1: No. 5 Aria “Schon, wenn es beginnt zu tagen” (Alfonso)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 1: No. 6 Recitative “Du rührst mich, Teurer, sehr” (Froila, Alfonso)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 1: No. 6 Duet “Schon schleichen meine Späher” (Froila, Alfonso)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 1: No. 7 Chorus “Zur Jadg, zur Jagd!” (Women’s chorus)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 1: No. 7 Aria with Chorus “Es schmückt die weiten Säle” (Estrella, Women’s chorus)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 1: No. 8 Recitative “Verweile, o Prinzessin!” (Adolfo, Estrella)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 1: No. 8 Aria “Doch im Getümmel der Schlacht” (Adolfo)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 1: No. 9 Duet “Ja gib, vernimm mein Flehen” (Adolfo, Estrella)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 1: No. 10 Finale “Glänzende Waffe den Krieger erfreut” (Chorus, Adolfo, Mauregato, Estrella)
Disk 2
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 2: No. 11, Recitative “O sing mir, Vater” (Alfonso, Froila)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 2: No. 11, Aria “Der Jäger ruhte hingegossen” (Froila)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 2: No. 12, Recitative “Wie rühret mich dein herrlicher Gesang” (Alfonso, Froila)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 2: No. 12, Duet “Von Fels und Wald umrungen” (Estrella, Alfonso)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 2: No. 13, Recitative “Wer bist du, holdes Wesen” (Alfonso, Estrella)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 2: No. 13, Aria “Wenn ich dich Holde sehe” (Alfonso)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 2: No. 14, Duet “Freundlich bist du mir erschienen” (Estrella, Alfonso)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 2: No. 15, Aria “Könnt ich ewig hier verweilen” (Estrella)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 2: No. 16, Duet “Laß dir als Erinnrungszeichen” (Alfonso, Estrella)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 2: No. 17, Chorus and Ensemble “Stille, Freunde, seht euch vor!” (Men’s Chorus, Adolfo)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 2: No. 18, Chorus and Aria “Wo ist sie, was kommt ihr zu künden?” (Mauregato, Men’s Chorus)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 2: No. 19, Ensemble “Die Prinzessin ist erschienen!” (Men’s Chorus, Mauregato, Estrella)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 2: No. 20, Duet and Chorus “Darf ich dein Kind umarmen?” (Estrella, Mauregato, Men’s Chorus)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 2: No. 21, Aria “Herrlich auf des Berges Höhen” (Estrella)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 2: No. 22, Finale “Sag, wo ist er hingekommen” (Mauregato, Estrella, Chief bodyguard, Chorus)
Disk 3
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 3: No. 23, Introduction. Allegro
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 3: No. 24, Duet and Chorus “Hörst du rufen, hörst du lärmen?” (A maiden, A youth, Women’s Chorus)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 3: No. 25, Duet “Du wirst mir nicht entrinnen!” (Adolfo, Estrella)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 3: No. 26, Trio and Chorus “Hilfe! – Welche Stimme!” (Estrella, Alfonso, Adolfo, Men’s Chorus)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 3: No. 27, Duet “Doch nun werde deinem Retter” (Alfonso, Estrella)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 3: No. 28, Recitative “Ja ich, ich bin gerettet” (Estrella, Alfonso)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 3: No. 28, Duet “Schön und herrlich seh ich’s tagen” (Alfonso, Estrella)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 3: No. 29, Duet and Chorus “Wehe, meines Vaters Scharen” (Estrella, Alfonso, Men’s Chorus)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 3: No. 30, Ensemble “Sie haben das Rufen vernommen” (Men’s Chorus, Alfonso)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 3: No. 31, Recitative and Ensemble “Was geht hier vor” (Froila, Alfonso, Estrella, Men’s Chorus)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 3: No. 32, Aria “Wo finde ich nur den Ort” (Mauregato)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 3: No. 33, Duet “Kein Geist, ich bin am Leben” (Froila, Mauregato)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 3: No. 34, Trio and Finale “Empfange nun aus meiner Hand” (Froila, Mauregato, Estrella)
Franz Schubert: Alfonso und Estrella, Act 3: No. 34, Was hör ich, welche Klänge?” (Mauregato, Froila, Estrella, Alfonso, Adolfo, A Maiden, A Youth, Chorus)
