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Fall: The Rose of Stambul / Chicago Folks Operetta
Naxos

Fall: The Rose of Stambul / Chicago Folks Operetta

$29.99 Only 1 left

Details

Composer
FALL, LEO
Artist
Chicago Folks Oper, Robert Morrissey, Gerald Frantzen, Alison Kelly, Kimberly Mccord, Erich Buchholz
Format
CD
Label
Naxos
Released
Mar 26, 2013
Catalog #
8660326-27
UPC
730099032674

About



FALL The Rose of Stambul • John Frantzen, cond; Kimberly McCord ( Kondja Gül ); Alison Kelly ( Midili Hanum ); Erich Buchholz ( Fridolin Müller ); Gerald Frantzen ( Achmed Bey ); Robert Morrissey ( Mr. Müller Sr. ); Chicago Folks Operetta • NAXOS 8.660326/27 (2 CDs: 120:20) Live: Chicago 8/8/2011


In 1916, Leo Fall’s latest operetta Die Rose von Stambul enjoyed a remarkable run of 422 performances at the Theater an der Wien, as the war brought rationing to Vienna, and as the cultures the story celebrated spiraled to their destruction. Though it eventually did come to the United States in 1922, the operetta was never performed here in anything like its original form. That occurred for the first time in the summer of 2011 when it was mounted by the Chicago Folks Operetta. This small but enterprising company—the brainchild and continuing passion of husband and wife team Gerald Frantzen and Alison Kelly—is dedicated to reviving neglected operettas from the early part of the 20th century. Die Rose von Stambul certainly qualifies. Fall never achieved the lasting success that rival composers Emmerich Kálmán (his daughter Yvonne is a CFO sponsor) and Franz Lehár did. And timing was simply against this creation. But there are lilting Viennese waltzes, charming if dated comedy centering on lovely women having their way with their foolish, chauvinistic, and/or love-sotted men, and exotic locales and musical flavoring befitting the ever popular setting of the Turkish seraglio. Only the most confirmed curmudgeon could resist the fun. Bravo CFO for bringing it back.


Unlike its earlier American production, where much of the score was replaced, we are assured, in translator Hersh Glagov’s informative essay, that Chicago Folks Operetta “has not changed a note of Fall’s marvelous music.” Though this is likely the 1917 Berlin revision, fair enough. Still, it would be nicer if those involved could have produced those notes with a bit more flair. Conductor John Frantzen, brother of artistic director Gerald, provides a reasonable impression of Viennese style, but his thin, often scrappy 19-piece orchestra works against the beauty of the music. The women’s chorus, harem sisters à la the Grisettes of The Merry Widow , is exuberant but also a bit rough. The waltzes need more schwung , the dances more refinement to go with the general vivacity, and some of the dialog needs more, well, acting.


The two sopranos are both strong vocalists. Kimberly McCord—who sings what I believe is the expanded version of the role created for Fritzi Massary in 1917—has nice control, range, and style, an appealingly warm tone, and some sparkle on top. Alison Kelly is an accomplished soubrette with excellent comic timing. Comic tenor Erich Buchholz has a strong lyric voice and a good feel for the idiom. In a part that is more spoken than sung, baritone Robert Morrissey sounds like he comes from Pittsburgh rather than Hamburg—he impersonates Wallace Shawn in The Princess Bride rather well—but he sings the short part of Müller agreeably. The players in the small spoken roles are community-theater league, but let that pass. It is, I’m sorry to say, tenor Gerald Frantzen who disappoints. He is stiff, can’t hold an extended note steadily little less swell it, and produces strangled sounds at the top of his range where Fall makes the greatest demands. The basic tone of the voice is decent enough in the middle reaches, and has some heft, but is not well equalized and shows clear signs of wear. (Perhaps recording live after the run was not a good idea.) He is shown at a particular disadvantage in his duets with McCord, who clearly has the voice and temperament to give the waltzes their due. Perhaps all would have been better if he and Buchholz had swapped parts, as the comic tenor here has the goods to sing the big numbers and has the looks, as well. If I seem harsh, simply listen to Frantzen and then to Fritz Wunderlich singing any of these arias. Or if that comparison seems unreasonably prejudicial, how about mere mortal Rudolf Schock, or almost any tenor currently recording operettas for Naxos or CPO?


But enough… Die Rose von Stambul is a major work by a neglected master of a musical genre that has too much fallen out of favor. Yes, the plot is silly. This one depends on an easily resolved love triangle with an “invisible rival” of the hero’s own devising, so perhaps it is sillier than most. And the early 20th-century attitudes toward women and Eastern culture can be cringe-inducing. However, the music is delightful, and the burlesque is generally not overdone. The English libretto is available as a download from the Naxos site. The dialog occasionally turns topical—the gay references and the bellhop speaking in rhymed couplet like Fezzik are contemporary—and a war-time reference like Fridolin’s offer to Midili of “two kilos of flour” is changed into “a hundred pairs of shoes.” Still, it seems fairly true to what I know of the original and is reasonably singable. The audio production, identified as a single live recording, is good, though my ears tell me that the dialog was recorded separately. The rather unsubtle sound effects—foot steps, doors opening, ice cubes clinking in glasses, etc.—support that impression. One last niggle: the production poster by Rose Frantzen—another family member, assumedly—reproduced on the cover of the CD, seems wildly out of keeping with the story and the times, eye-catching as it may be.


All reservations aside—and I’ve spent a lot of space enumerating them—this is something most Viennese operetta fanciers will want to hear. Recommended with the caveats cited.


FANFARE: Ronald E. Grames

Tracklist 29 tracks

  1. Disc 1
  2. 1 Act I Scene 1: May your dreams be filled with ecstasy (Bul-Bul, Women, Djamileh) - Scene 2: Is Kondja awake? (Desiree, Bul-bul) - Scene 3: My dear, lovely Mademoiselle Desiree (Kemal Pasha, Desiree) 05:36
    Track
    1
    Title
    Act I Scene 1: May your dreams be filled with ecstasy (Bul-Bul, Women, Djamileh) - Scene 2: Is Kondja awake? (Desiree, Bul-bul) - Scene 3: My dear, lovely Mademoiselle Desiree (Kemal Pasha, Desiree)
    Duration
    05:36
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Sarah Bockel, Nicole Hill, Michelle Buck, Chris Guerra, Kimberly McCord, Alison Kelly, Malia Ropp, Julia Tarlo, Khaki Pixely
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  3. 2 Act I Scene 4: Morning sun now beckons you to rise (Bul-bul, Women, Kondja) 05:33
    Track
    2
    Title
    Act I Scene 4: Morning sun now beckons you to rise (Bul-bul, Women, Kondja)
    Duration
    05:33
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Sarah Bockel, Kimberly McCord, Alison Kelly, Malia Ropp, Julia Tarlo, Nicole Hill, Khaki Pixely, Michelle Buck
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  4. 3 Act I Scene 5: Oh, good morning (Women, Kondja, Midili) 04:21
    Track
    3
    Title
    Act I Scene 5: Oh, good morning (Women, Kondja, Midili)
    Duration
    04:21
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Kimberly McCord, Alison Kelly, Sarah Bockel, Malia Ropp, Julia Tarlo, Nicole Hill, Khaki Pixely, Michelle Buck
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  5. 4 Act I Scene 5: Another heartfelt song (Kondja, Midili, Emine) 02:40
    Track
    4
    Title
    Act I Scene 5: Another heartfelt song (Kondja, Midili, Emine)
    Duration
    02:40
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Kimberly McCord, Alison Kelly, Julia Tarlo
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  6. 5 Act I Scene 6: A foreign gentleman is here! (Djamileh, Midili, Kondja, Fridolin) 03:42
    Track
    5
    Title
    Act I Scene 6: A foreign gentleman is here! (Djamileh, Midili, Kondja, Fridolin)
    Duration
    03:42
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Nicole Hill, Alison Kelly, Kimberly McCord, Erich Buchholz
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  7. 6 Act I Scene 6: Duet: A faithful daughter of tradition (Midili, Fridolin) 04:54
    Track
    6
    Title
    Act I Scene 6: Duet: A faithful daughter of tradition (Midili, Fridolin)
    Duration
    04:54
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Alison Kelly, Erich Buchholz
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  8. 7 Act I Scene 7: Girls, I'm so happy (Kondja, Desiree, Bul-bul, Midili) 02:07
    Track
    7
    Title
    Act I Scene 7: Girls, I'm so happy (Kondja, Desiree, Bul-bul, Midili)
    Duration
    02:07
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Kimberly McCord, Michelle Buck, Sarah Bockel, Alison Kelly
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  9. 8 Act I Scene 8: Fair daughters of Circassia (Bul-bul, Achmed) 04:08
    Track
    8
    Title
    Act I Scene 8: Fair daughters of Circassia (Bul-bul, Achmed)
    Duration
    04:08
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Sarah Bockel, Gerald Frantzen
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  10. 9 Act I Scene 9: A thousand greetings dear, young man (Kemal Pasha, Achmed) 02:30
    Track
    9
    Title
    Act I Scene 9: A thousand greetings dear, young man (Kemal Pasha, Achmed)
    Duration
    02:30
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Chris Guerra, Gerald Frantzen
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  11. 10 Act I Scene 10: My beloved Kondja (Kemal Pasha, Kondja, Achmed) 02:33
    Track
    10
    Title
    Act I Scene 10: My beloved Kondja (Kemal Pasha, Kondja, Achmed)
    Duration
    02:33
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Chris Guerra, Kimberly McCord, Gerald Frantzen
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  12. 11 Act I: Finale: Have you heard this little song (Kondja, Achmed) 07:26
    Track
    11
    Title
    Act I: Finale: Have you heard this little song (Kondja, Achmed)
    Duration
    07:26
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Kimberly McCord, Gerald Frantzen
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  13. Disc 2
  14. 1 Act II Scene 1: We are all here for a joyous occasion (Men, Women, Achmed, Fridolin) - Scene 3: My future son-in-law (Kemal Pasha, Achmed) 03:19
    Track
    1
    Title
    Act II Scene 1: We are all here for a joyous occasion (Men, Women, Achmed, Fridolin) - Scene 3: My future son-in-law (Kemal Pasha, Achmed)
    Duration
    03:19
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Gerald Frantzen, Erich Buchholz, Chris Guerra, Kimberly McCord, Alison Kelly, Robert Morrissey, Sarah Bockel, Malia Ropp, Julia Tarlo, Nicole Hill, Khaki Pixely, Michelle Buck, Eric Casady, Aaron Benham, Josh Prisching
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  15. 2 Act II Scene 4: Let me offer my warmest welcome (Achmed, Durlane, Fatme) - Daughters of tradition, delicate and quiet (Achmed, Women) 03:37
    Track
    2
    Title
    Act II Scene 4: Let me offer my warmest welcome (Achmed, Durlane, Fatme) - Daughters of tradition, delicate and quiet (Achmed, Women)
    Duration
    03:37
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Gerald Frantzen, Sarah Bockel, Malia Ropp, Kimberly McCord, Alison Kelly, Julia Tarlo, Nicole Hill, Khaki Pixely, Michelle Buck
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  16. 3 Act II Scene 5: I have to take a peek into the bridal chamber (Midili, Fridolin) 02:54
    Track
    3
    Title
    Act II Scene 5: I have to take a peek into the bridal chamber (Midili, Fridolin)
    Duration
    02:54
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Alison Kelly, Erich Buchholz
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  17. 4 Act II Scene 5: Duet: I've never kissed a man before (Midili, Fridolin) 04:49
    Track
    4
    Title
    Act II Scene 5: Duet: I've never kissed a man before (Midili, Fridolin)
    Duration
    04:49
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Alison Kelly, Erich Buchholz
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  18. 5 Act II Scene 6: Behold, the radiant and lovely bride draws near (Women, Men, Achmed, Kondja, Kemal Pasha) 04:27
    Track
    5
    Title
    Act II Scene 6: Behold, the radiant and lovely bride draws near (Women, Men, Achmed, Kondja, Kemal Pasha)
    Duration
    04:27
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Gerald Frantzen, Kimberly McCord, Chris Guerra, Alison Kelly, Erich Buchholz, Robert Morrissey, Sarah Bockel, Malia Ropp, Julia Tarlo, Nicole Hill, Khaki Pixely, Michelle Buck, Eric Casady, Aaron Benham, Josh Prisching
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  19. 6 Act II Scene 6: Sir, I am ready (Kondja, Achmed) 06:17
    Track
    6
    Title
    Act II Scene 6: Sir, I am ready (Kondja, Achmed)
    Duration
    06:17
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Kimberly McCord, Gerald Frantzen
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  20. 7 Act II Scene 7: I'm still a little bashful (Fridolin, Durlane, Women, Midili) 04:39
    Track
    7
    Title
    Act II Scene 7: I'm still a little bashful (Fridolin, Durlane, Women, Midili)
    Duration
    04:39
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Erich Buchholz, Sarah Bockel, Alison Kelly, Kimberly McCord, Malia Ropp, Julia Tarlo, Nicole Hill, Khaki Pixely, Michelle Buck
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  21. 8 Act II Scene 8: Kondja we are finally alone (Achmed, Kondja) 03:45
    Track
    8
    Title
    Act II Scene 8: Kondja we are finally alone (Achmed, Kondja)
    Duration
    03:45
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Gerald Frantzen, Kimberly McCord
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  22. 9 Act II Scene 8: Will you dance? (Kondja, Achmed) 06:03
    Track
    9
    Title
    Act II Scene 8: Will you dance? (Kondja, Achmed)
    Duration
    06:03
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Kimberly McCord, Gerald Frantzen
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  23. 10 Act II: Finale: Who thinks about time when you're happy? (Achmed, Kondja) 08:14
    Track
    10
    Title
    Act II: Finale: Who thinks about time when you're happy? (Achmed, Kondja)
    Duration
    08:14
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Gerald Frantzen, Kimberly McCord
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  24. 11 Act III Scene 1: Everything must go like clockwork tonight (Hotel Director, Band Leader) - Scene 2: Schatzi! (Fridolin, Midili) 02:17
    Track
    11
    Title
    Act III Scene 1: Everything must go like clockwork tonight (Hotel Director, Band Leader) - Scene 2: Schatzi! (Fridolin, Midili)
    Duration
    02:17
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Aaron Benham, Josh Prisching, Erich Buchholz, Alison Kelly
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  25. 12 Act III Scene 2: Goodness knows how much I've tried (Midili, Fridolin) 02:27
    Track
    12
    Title
    Act III Scene 2: Goodness knows how much I've tried (Midili, Fridolin)
    Duration
    02:27
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Alison Kelly, Erich Buchholz
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  26. 13 Act III Scene 3: Where on God's green earth am I? (Mr. Muller, Bell Hop) - Scene 4: Are Mr. and Mrs. Fridolin Muller staying here? (Kondja, Bell Hop, Midili) 04:07
    Track
    13
    Title
    Act III Scene 3: Where on God's green earth am I? (Mr. Muller, Bell Hop) - Scene 4: Are Mr. and Mrs. Fridolin Muller staying here? (Kondja, Bell Hop, Midili)
    Duration
    04:07
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Robert Morrissey, Eric Casady, Kimberly McCord, Alison Kelly
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  27. 14 Act III Scene 5: Attention please! (Hotel Director, Achmed) 01:23
    Track
    14
    Title
    Act III Scene 5: Attention please! (Hotel Director, Achmed)
    Duration
    01:23
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Aaron Benham, Gerald Frantzen
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  28. 15 Act III Scene 6: Two eyes full of yearning (Achmed) 04:15
    Track
    15
    Title
    Act III Scene 6: Two eyes full of yearning (Achmed)
    Duration
    04:15
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Gerald Frantzen
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  29. 16 Act III Scene 7: Unbelievable! - Scene 8: Now listen - Scene 9: Achmed has gone crazy - Scene 10: Fridolin! - Scene 11: Oh no - Scene 12: Oh no, here she is (Fridolin, Achmed, Mr. Muller, Midili) 06:30
    Track
    16
    Title
    Act III Scene 7: Unbelievable! - Scene 8: Now listen - Scene 9: Achmed has gone crazy - Scene 10: Fridolin! - Scene 11: Oh no - Scene 12: Oh no, here she is (Fridolin, Achmed, Mr. Muller, Midili)
    Duration
    06:30
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Erich Buchholz, Gerald Frantzen, Robert Morrissey, Alison Kelly
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  30. 17 Act III Scene 12: Trio: Oh daddy (Fridolin, Midili, Mr. Muller) 02:04
    Track
    17
    Title
    Act III Scene 12: Trio: Oh daddy (Fridolin, Midili, Mr. Muller)
    Duration
    02:04
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Erich Buchholz, Alison Kelly, Robert Morrissey
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen
  31. 18 Act III Scene 13: Your intimate, romantic dinner (Hotel Director, Achmed) - Scene 14: It's just as I told you (Hotel Director, Kondja, Achmed) 03:42
    Track
    18
    Title
    Act III Scene 13: Your intimate, romantic dinner (Hotel Director, Achmed) - Scene 14: It's just as I told you (Hotel Director, Kondja, Achmed)
    Duration
    03:42
    Composer
    Leo Fall
    Performer
    Aaron Benham, Gerald Frantzen, Kimberly McCord
    Ensemble
    Chicago Folks Operetta
    Conductor
    John Frantzen