Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Ein Sommernachtstraum (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) – 2CD Set

Complete German-Language Recording with WDR Rundfunkorchester Köln Narrated by Leslie Malton, Felix von Manteuffel, and Martina Gedeck Conducted by Helmuth Froschauer

Product Information

• UPC: 4006408601258
• Product Type: Classical Music 2CD Set (Musical Drama / Spoken Drama with Mendelssohn’s Music)
• Genre: Romantic Classical / Dramatic Orchestral Music
• Language: German (Complete spoken drama and music)

• Artists:

  Ensembles: WDR Rundfunkorchester Köln, WDR Rundfunkchor Köln (Choral Preparation: Anton Marik)
  • Leslie Malton (Narrator / Hippolyta / Titania)
  • Felix von Manteuffel (Theseus / Oberon)
  • Martina Gedeck (Hermia)
  • Peter Lohmeyer (Demetrius)
  • Philipp Schepmann (Lysander)
  • Lisa Adler, Thomas Anzenhofer, Hermann Lause, Paul Fassnacht, Michael Habeck, Anke Hoffmann (Soprano), Mechthild Gecrg (Mezzo-soprano), and others
• Conductor: Helmuth Froschauer
• Label: Capriccio / Westdeutscher Rundfunk Köln (WDR)
• Recording: Digital
• Release Year: 2006 (original recording 2001)
• Format: 2 Audio CDs
• Catalog Number: 60 125
• Cover Design: sowiesodesign.de
• Photography: AKG / Bertin
• Made in: Germany

Overview

This distinguished 2CD set offers a complete German-language recording of William Shakespeare’s Ein Sommernachtstraum (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), adapted by August Wilhelm Schlegel and enhanced with the enchanting music of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy.

Narrated by acclaimed actors Leslie Malton, Felix von Manteuffel, Martina Gedeck, and others, this production merges dramatic storytelling with Mendelssohn’s evocative incidental music, including the famous Overture and Wedding March. The WDR Rundfunkorchester Köln and Rundfunkchor Köln, under the sensitive direction of Helmuth Froschauer, bring Mendelssohn’s score to life with vibrant energy and refined artistry.

This recording is a must-have for lovers of Shakespeare, Mendelssohn, and German Romantic music, providing a richly immersive experience of one of literature’s most beloved comedies accompanied by some of the finest orchestral music of the 19th century.

Product Features

• Format: 2 CDs, complete spoken drama and Mendelssohn music
• Language: German, adapted by August Wilhelm Schlegel, with additional text editing by Renato Grünig and Thomas Leutzbach
• Narrators and Cast: Featuring Leslie Malton (Titania / Hippolyta), Felix von Manteuffel (Theseus / Oberon), Martina Gedeck (Hermia), and others
• Orchestra & Choir: WDR Rundfunkorchester Köln and WDR Rundfunkchor Köln (Choreography by Anton Marik)
• Conductor: Helmuth Froschauer
• Sound Quality: Digitally recorded for clear, balanced sound
• Packaging: Detailed liner notes with credits and production information

Interesting Facts

• Complete German Adaptation: This is a full spoken and musical German adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, combining theatrical narration with Mendelssohn’s original score.
• Famous Music: Mendelssohn’s Overture and Wedding March are among the most famous pieces of Romantic orchestral music, here integrated seamlessly with the drama.
• Star Cast: The narration features well-known German actors delivering the characters’ roles with warmth and nuance.
• WDR Excellence: The WDR Rundfunkorchester and Choir are renowned for their precision and rich sound, bringing Mendelssohn’s music to vibrant life.
• Production Quality: The recording, produced by WDR and Capriccio, is noted for its clarity and faithful representation of Mendelssohn’s musical textures.

Track Listing Highlights

• Complete narration of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in German
• Mendelssohn’s incidental music including: Overture, Wedding March, and other orchestral interludes
• Vocal performances by Anke Hoffmann (Soprano), Mechthild Gecrg (Mezzo-soprano), and others

Publishers

Produced by Westdeutscher Rundfunk Köln (WDR) and released by Capriccio / Delta Music GmbH, Frechen, Germany. All rights reserved.

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Hashtags

• English: #Mendelssohn #AMidsummerNightsDream #Shakespeare #WDR #HelmuthFroschauer #GermanClassicalMusic #Capriccio #WDRRundfunkorchester #ClassicalNarration #RomanticMusic