Kurt Weill: Die Dreigroschenoper (The Threepenny Opera) — A Legendary German Musical Play CD

Product Information

• UPC: 4006408600589
• Catalog Number: 60 058-1
• Product Type: Music CD (Musical Theatre / Opera)
• Composer: Kurt Weill (1900–1950)
• Title: Die Dreigroschenoper / The Threepenny Opera / L’Opéra de Quat’sous
• Performers: Walter Raffeiner (Macheath), Ulrike Steinsky (Polly Peachum), Peter Nikolaus Kante (Peachum), Jane Henschel (Frau Peachum), Gabriele Ramm (Spelunken-Jenny), Rolf Wollrad (Brown), Jolanta Teresa Kuznik (Lucy), Reinhard Firchow (Ausrufer)
• Ensemble: Händel Collegium Köln (prepared by Dieter Gutknecht), The König Ensemble
• Conductor: Jan Latham-König
• Label: Capriccio
• Format: Digital Recording (DDD)
• Release Year: 1997
• Language: German (with English and French title translations)

Overview

Kurt Weill’s Die Dreigroschenoper (The Threepenny Opera), based on John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera and adapted by Bertolt Brecht with translation by Elisabeth Hauptmann, is a seminal work of 20th-century musical theatre. This Capriccio release presents a digitally recorded performance by The König Ensemble and the Händel Collegium Köln under the direction of Jan Latham-König.

The recording includes all three acts of this darkly satirical musical play, featuring iconic songs such as “Moritat von Mackie Messer” (Mack the Knife), “Seeräuber-Jenny,” and “Ballade von der sexuellen Hörigkeit.” This edition captures the drama, irony, and revolutionary spirit of Brecht and Weill’s masterpiece, with a stellar cast delivering compelling vocal performances.

Product Features

• Format: Audio CD, Digital Recording (DDD)
• Length: Full three-act performance

• Cast Highlights:

  Ensemble: Händel Collegium Köln, The König Ensemble
  • Walter Raffeiner as Macheath
  • Ulrike Steinsky as Polly Peachum
  • Peter Nikolaus Kante as Peachum
  • Jane Henschel as Frau Peachum
• Conductor: Jan Latham-König
• Label: Capriccio, a Delta Music GmbH product, Germany
• Packaging: Standard jewel case with libretto and notes in German

Selected Musical Numbers

• Overture
• Moritat von Mackie Messer (Mack the Knife)
• Morgenchoral
• Seeräuber-Jenny
• Kanonen-Song
• Ballade von der sexuellen Hörigkeit
• Eifersuchts-Duett
• Arie der Lucy
• Various Dreigroschen-Finale scenes

Interesting Facts

• The Threepenny Opera was revolutionary for its time, combining sharp social critique with memorable music that has influenced theatre and popular culture worldwide.
• Bertolt Brecht’s German adaptation introduced a new political dimension, blending drama and song in a way that challenged audiences’ perceptions.
• The song “Mack the Knife” has become a jazz and pop standard, recorded by numerous artists beyond the opera stage.
• This recording is noted for its clear diction, dramatic intensity, and authentic interpretation by a seasoned ensemble and conductor Jan Latham-König.
• The collaboration with Westdeutscher Rundfunk Köln (WDR) highlights the production’s high artistic standards.

Publishers

Capriccio, a Delta Music GmbH product, Frechen, Germany. Produced in cooperation with Westdeutscher Rundfunk Köln.

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