Christoph Willibald Gluck – Operatic Scenes & Arias

UPC: SUA 10789 (Mono) / SUA ST 50789 (Stereo)

Product Details: 

• Label: Supraphon
• Format: Vinyl LP, Mono / Electronically Simulated Stereo
• Country: Czechoslovakia
• Released: 1966
• Genre: Classical / Opera

Product Features

• Excerpts from Gluck’s six reform operas: Orphée et Eurydice, Alceste, Armide, Iphigénie en Aulide, Iphigénie en Tauride
• Performed by the Soloists & Orchestra of the Prague National Theatre, with the Czech Philharmonic Chorus (Chor. Josef Veselka)
• Conducted by Peter Maag
• Featuring top Czech soloists: Helena Tattermuschová, Věra Soukupová, Naděžda Kniplová, Gwendolin Walters, Lothar Ostenburg
• Recorded at Supraphon Studios, Prague; Recording director: Dr. Ladislav Šíp; Sound & cut: Miloslav Kulhan

Overview

Gluck’s operatic reforms—simplifying drama, enhancing orchestral expression, and focusing on human emotion—are on full display. From the plaintive “Cet asile aimable” to Orpheus’s mournful “Quel nouveau ciel,” his French masterpieces paved the way for later operatic evolution. Alceste’s stirring plea at Hades, Armide’s magisterial dialogue, and the two Iphigenias’ moral dilemmas showcase Gluck’s dramatic breadth. Peter Maag leads the Prague forces in a vibrant recording that balances period drama with 20th-century clarity.

Track Listing

Orphée et Eurydice

1. “Cet asile aimable” (Eurydice, Act II)
2. “Quel nouveau ciel” (Orphée, Act II)
3. “Viens dans ce séjour paisible” (Chorus, Act II)
4. “Fortune ennemie” (Eurydice & Orphée, Act III)
5. “J’ai perdu mon Eurydice” (Orphée, Act III)

Iphigénie en Aulide 6. “Peuvent-ils ordonner” (Agamemnon, Act I) 7. “L’ai-je bien entendu ?” (Iphigénie, Act I)

Alceste 8. “Divinités du Styx” (Act I)

Armide 9. “Arrêtons-nous ici ?” (Armide & Hidraot, Act II)

Iphigénie en Tauride 10. “Le calme rentre dans mon cœur” (Orestes & Chorus, Act II) 11. “Ô malheureuse Iphigénie” (Iphigénie, Act II)

Key Credits

• Conductor: Peter Maag
• Eurydice / Armide: Helena Tattermuschová / Věra Soukupová
• Alceste: Naděžda Kniplová
• Iphigénie: Gwendolin Walters
• Hidraot / Agamemnon / Orestes: Lothar Ostenburg
• Orchestra: Prague National Theatre Orchestra
• Chorus: Czech Philharmonic Chorus (Choirmaster: Josef Veselka)

BOX #153