GLUCK ORFEO ED EURIDICE FERRIER BRUCK 2LP BOX RLS 725

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BOX SET Two (2) Records Complete live performance recorded 1951 GLUCK ORFEO ED EURIDICE FERRIER KOEMAN DUVAL AND OTHERS BRUCK CONDUCTS Chorus & Orchestra Netherlands Opera On HMV Brown white band Postage stamp Label English Pressed First Issued 1977 MONO Catalogue No RLS 725 Critics Opine From the very first cries of "Euridice", we know that we are in the presence of an artist who could drain tears from a stone; they are urgent, pleading. The tragedy of Orpheus's plight is then movingly conveyed throughout the generously phrased "Chiamo ii ben cos!", the tone dark, yet tender. Then in the recitative, "Voi delle ombre oscura", you sense the bitterness as Orpheus rails against Pluto and the inmates of Hell, "Implacabile tiranni", Ferrier makes you feel, indeed, and after Amor's intervention (a sadly feeble performance of the part, I'm afraid), you share "l'insoffribili de' mali"—the unbearable pain of the hero's life without his love as you do the "mile pene" in Ferrier's vibrant account of the great appeal to the Furies. In Elysium, "Che puro ciel" has an unforgettable sense of yearning behind the seemingly calm, tenderly supple legato, and the start of Act 3, where the lovers are reunited, is a moment of palpitating emotion. "Che farô", paced at almost an ideal tempo (and how hard that is to find) is infinitely superior to either the hurried Stiedry version or the oratorio-like English reading (mono ACL308, 10/68), the rubato and variety of timbre now nicely reflecting the changes in the music. Then, after the aria, at "M'aspetta, ombra adorata", Ferrier shows that she had learnt to fine away her large tone to a controlled and effective pianissimo. This is a memorable portrayal. I urge those who have thought of Ferrier as a fine but undramatic, even a plummy singer to hear it. There is another hero here besides the Orpheus and that is the conductor Charles Bruck who draws excellent playing from the orchestra, integrates the dances into the drama, has a natural feeling for Gluck subtle scoring (listen to the wind chords in the "Dance of the Furies") and above all judges rightly the pulse of each movement. He is not so well seconded by a tremolo-ridden chorus or by the tearful, ineffectual Eurydice, who also vitiates Ferrier contribution to their duets by singing in so uncertain a fashion. The version used is the Italian translation of the Berlioz edition, in other words the one current on most stages until recent revivals of the French or Vienna originals. There are inevitably some changes in level, but the sound overall is adequate, the voices never distorted and always lifelike, even when the orchestra isnt always clear. The occasional cough from the audience is not disturbing, and a small price to pay for hearing a real-life performance and further proof that such events so often yield a truer sense of theatre than anything that can be contrived in the studio. Visual and Audio Condition The records are in near mint condition there are no stylus scratches or scuffs. The labels are bright and clean with no stickers or writing and no spindle marks. The records have not been cleaned with any mechanical or chemical cleaners. I only use an anti- static cloth prior to checking their condition visually under halogen lights or bright sunshine. Then playing complete through, this is a LIVE recording and as such background noise can be heard occasionally there is some distortion on the high / loud notes. Please remember that this is a 33 year old vinyl record box set. The Box The textured box is in near mint condition. There are no tears, writing, stains, stickers or splits. The Inners / Libretto The inners and the 12 page full sized Libretto are the originals in near mint condition no writing or tears. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THESE ARE LONG PLAYING RECORDS THEY ARE NOT CDS The maximum I charge for shippi... read more

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