In Naxos’ new transfer this 1950 recording sounds as if it were recorded 10 years later; of course it’s mono, but it’s clean and clear and it’s most welcome. The cast’s pedigree is undeniable, with Strauss expert Clemens Krauss in the pit, bringing out the composer’s rhythms–both obvious and hidden–and leading the wonderful VPO with a lilt that’s absolutely right.
And the whole cast is steeped in similar tradition. Hilde Gueden’s Rosalinde is lighter than we’re now accustomed to–in fact she sounds more like an Adele–but she sings with sparkle, wit, and a knowing dignity. Anton Dermota’s Alfred is truly glorious–the singing alone is good enough, but his sense of the role is just as captivating. Wilma Lipp’s Adele is typically Viennese perky-peppy and well sung, but Sieglinde Wagner’s Orlofsky is both joyless and uncomfortably sung. Julius Patzak’s Eisenstein is a mess–either he was going through a bad spell or this bari-tenor role simply defeats him. Purists will despise the fact that the dialogue is missing (what we get is 90 minutes of music!); I loved not being bothered by the chatter.
