Reznicek: Donna Diana / Windfuhr, Et Al

$36.99
Label
CPO
Release Date
February 22, 2005
Format
Added to Cart! View cart or continue shopping.


    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      VON REZNICEK
    • ORCHESTRA / ENSEMBLE
      Kiel Opera Chorus, Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra
    • PERFORMER
      Simon, Sad, Susanne, Pauly, Matthias, Kreusch, Klein
    Product Details ⌄
    Works ⌄

    1. Overture

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    2. Act I: Prelude

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    3. Act I Scene 1: O tönt, o tönt nur, fröhliche Drommetten! (Don Cesar)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Roman Sadnik

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    4. Act I Scene 2: Er ist verliebt (Perin)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Simon Pauly

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    5. Act I Scene 3: Aus ist's Turnier! (Floretta)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Anne-Carolyn Schlüter

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    6. Act I Scene 3: Wie hübsch sie ist (Perin)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Simon Pauly

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    7. Act I Scene 4: Fanfaren

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    8. Act I Scene 4: Auftritt der Bürger, Ritter, Edlen und ihren Damen

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    9. Act I Scene 4: Ach wie herrlich, ach wie prächtig (Chorus)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Opera Chorus, Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    10. Act I Scene 5: Seid mir gergrüsst, Ihr edlen Damen all' (Don Diego)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Max Wittges

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    11. Act I Scene 5: Und nun der Herrscher hat gesprochen (Don Diego)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Max Wittges

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    12. Act I Scene 5: Verzeiht, mein Vater (Donna Diana)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Manuela Uhl

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    13. Act I Scene 5: Ensemble und Gebet

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    14. Act I Scene 6: Vortrefflich, Freund (Don Diego)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Max Wittges

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    15. Act I Scene 6: Nur dies, Prinzessin (Don Gaston)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Matthias Klein

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    16. Act I Scene 6: Erfahrung lehrt, die Liebe rächt sich (Don Louis)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Hans-Jürgen Schöpflin

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    17. Act I Scene 6: Lass uns in heit'rer Fehde dir begegnen (Don Louis)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Hans-Jürgen Schöpflin

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    18. Act I Scene 6: Doch fast vergass ich Euch! Nun? (Donna Diana)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Manuela Uhl

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    19. Act I Scene 6: Was meint Ihr? (Donna Diana)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Manuela Uhl

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    20. Act I Scene 6: Kommt heraus (Chorus)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Opera Chorus, Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    21. Act II Scene 1: Prelude

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    22. Act II Scene 1: Ballet

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    23. Act II Scene 2: Ich hab das Glücksrad so gedreht (Donna Diana)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Manuela Uhl

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    24. Act II Scene 3: Die Hoffnung ist's, die mich hierher geführt (Don Louis)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Hans-Jürgen Schöpflin

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    25. Act II Scene 3: Es ist die Liebe die Meisterin des Glücks (Don Gaston)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Matthias Klein

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    26. Act II Scene 4: Nun halte fest, mein Herz! (Don Cesar)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Roman Sadnik

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    27. Act II Scene 4: Prinzessin! Ist das nun Scherz oder Ernst? (Don Cesar)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Roman Sadnik

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    28. Act II Scene 5: Ist's möglich? Was muss ich erfahren? (Donna Diana)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Manuela Uhl

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    29. Act II Scene 6: Was ist das? Hoheit? Warum kommt Ihr nicht? (Perin)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Simon Pauly

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    30. Act II Scene 6: Nun hör, Perin! (Donna Diana)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Manuela Uhl

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    31. Act II Scene 7: Ei, seht doch, fein, vortrefflich ausgedacht! (Perin)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Simon Pauly

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    32. Act II Scene 7: Interlude

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    33. Act II Scene 8: Noch niemand hier? (Floretta)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Anne-Carolyn Schlüter

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    34. Act II Scene 8: Mütterchen, wenn's in Schlaf mich sang (Floretta)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Anne-Carolyn Schlüter

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    35. Act II Scene 9: Und kommt er, meldet mir's (Donna Diana)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Manuela Uhl

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    36. Act II Scene 9: Nur Mut! Voraus gewarnt ist halb gewonnen! (Perin)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Simon Pauly

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    37. Act II Scene 9: Mohr Alcaide, Mohr Alcaide (Donna Diana)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Manuela Uhl

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    38. Act II Scene 9: Don Cesar, habt Ihr nicht gehört? (Floretta)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Anne-Carolyn Schlüter

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    39. Act II Scene 10: Ist's wahr? Wie konnte dies geschehen? (Donna Diana)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Manuela Uhl

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    40. Act III: Prelude

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    41. Act III Scene 1: Gesetzt, dies hier wäre eine Komödie (Perin)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Simon Pauly

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    42. Act III Scene 1: Die Narrenglocken klingen tagsüber mir ins Ohr (Perin)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Simon Pauly

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    43. Act III Scene 2: Soll ich meine Liebe zeigen? (Don Louis)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Hans-Jürgen Schöpflin

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    44. Act III Scene 2: Ist es wohl auszuhalten? (Donna Diana)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Manuela Uhl

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    45. Act III Scene 2: Lasst Fenisens Ruhm ertönen! (Don Gaston)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Matthias Klein

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    46. Act III Scene 3: Das Glück war heut mir hold (Don Louis, Perin, Don Gaston)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Hans-Jürgen Schöpflin, Simon Pauly, Matthias Klein

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    47. Act III Scene 4: Prelude

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    48. Act III Scene 4: Ich will das Letzte noch an ihm versuchen (Donna Diana)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Manuela Uhl

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    49. Act III Scene 4: Die Gründe, die so lange mich bekämpft (Donna Diana)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Manuela Uhl

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    50. Act III Scene 4: Ha! (Don Cesar)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Roman Sadnik

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    51. Act III Scene 4: Erstaunt, Prinzessin, das bin ich in der Tat! (Don Cesar)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Roman Sadnik

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    52. Act III Scene 5: Ist dieses Feuer in der Brust die Liebe? (Donna Diana)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Manuela Uhl

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    53. Act III Scene 6: Dreimal hoch, Prinz Karneval (Chorus)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Opera Chorus, Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    54. Act III Scene 6: Nichts in der Welt kann mich so sehr erfreu'n (Don Diego)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Max Wittges

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    55. Act III Scene 6: Ich kam an diesen Hof … (Don Cesar)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Roman Sadnik

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    56. Act III Scene 6: Wohlan! Es sei! (Donna Diana)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Manuela Uhl

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr

    57. Act III Scene 6: Heil dem Herrscherhaus! (All)

      Composer: Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek

      Ensemble: Kiel Opera Chorus, Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Hans-Jürgen Schöpflin, Matthias Klein, Max Wittges, Simon Pauly, Roman Sadnik, Susanne Kreusch, Anne-Carolyn Schlüter, Heike Wittlieb, Manuela Uhl

      Conductor: Ulrich Windfuhr


As I felt when I encountered and reviewed Reznicek's Ritter Blaubart (type Q6627 in Search Reviews), this all-but-hidden composer has a great deal to offer. The overture to Donna Diana is well-known and absolutely charming; Ritter Blaubart surprised me with its darkness and atmospheric gloom. What else does this composer have up his sleeve? Well, hearing the beautifully crafted and well-scored opera that follows its famous overture, a listener can only be amazed. Alternating between the tone of a witty operetta and a grand work in the Wagnerian mold (but with clearly emotive arias and duets that would not be out of place in Italian opera), this story of Donna Diana (daughter of Don Diego) and Don Cesar (a prince), who refuse to acknowledge their mutual love out of sheer arrogance, unfolds with wit, a distinctly Spanish flavor, complex ensembles, plenty of tunes, and never a dull moment. This seems like great theater (it is set against the background of a tournament in Barcelona)--a comic opera whose inhabitants, despite being "types", react the way people react, sometimes howling with rage, sometimes looking gently inward.

Perin--a wonderful role for high baritone--is a wise-fool figure, Don Cesar's friend, who gives advice, puts the play in action, and is more-or-less omnipresent. About a half-hour before the opera's close (the whole work is just short of two hours long) he lets us know that he'd also like a lady friend for himself. He's a delightfully three-dimensional character, and Simon Pauly sings him with remarkable "face" and engaging tone. His duet with Don Cesar near the beginning of the show is splendid, and both he and tenor Roman Sadnik paint indelible portraits of themselves right then and there. The duet, which is grand and grandly orchestrated, ending with a blazing high-C from Sadnik against a slightly too-loud orchestra, sets the tone for the work's forward propulsion and great energy. They and the other players sing off the text brilliantly, and while there are few beautiful voices to be heard, each is distinctive and is used with great theatricality. This live performance really moves.

There are three other pairs of lovers: Don Louis and Donna Laura, Don Gaston and Donna Fenisa, and a surprise in the very sharp Floretta, Diana's foster-sister, who turns out to be just right for Perin. Including Don Diego, then, there are nine characters, and Reznicek writes for them all individually and in ensemble, and always with specificity. The vaguely goofy tone that tends to be present in the comic operas of the earlier Italian composers is entirely missing here, and to very good effect.

The entire cast, well-rehearsed and utterly committed, does itself proud. In addition to Sadnik and Pauly, most impressive is Manuela Uhl as Donna Diana. She captures the girl's haughtiness, while in asides she exhibits a softer side. And as pure singing, she shines as well: in recent recordings of Alfano's Cyrano de Bergerac and Strauss' Die Liebe der Danae she has moments of rawness, but here she seems more frequently at home, and her Moorish Romanza in Act 2 is lovely. Max Wittges has just the commanding bass for Don Diego and mezzo Anne-Carolyn Schlüter presents a self-contained portrait of the standing-back-from-the-crowd Floretta. The rest of the cast, chorus, and Kiel Orchestra--the latter with a brass section any orchestra would be proud of--are polished and should be pleased with their fine work. The sound is excellent despite the intermittent tendency of conductor Ulrich Windfuhr to throw the balance toward the orchestra. It wouldn't surprise me if this recording (and the earlier one of Ritter Blaubart) began a Reznicek rediscovery. Seeing either opera live must be a real treat. [2/8/2005]
--Robert Levine, ClassicsToday.com