Wagner: Tristan und Isolde - Naxos Historical Great Opera Recordings 3-CD Set

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• UPC: 636943106822
• Product Type: Audio CD (3-Disc Set)
• Brand Name: Naxos Historical
• MPN: 8.110068-70
• Genre: Classical / Opera
• Style: Romantic / Wagnerian Opera
• Composer: Richard Wagner
• Conductor: Fritz Reiner
• Main Performers: Kirsten Flagstad (Isolde), Lauritz Melchior (Tristan), Sabine Kalter (Brangäne), Herbert Janssen (Kurwenal), Emanuel List (King Marke)
• Orchestra & Chorus: London Philharmonic Orchestra / Chorus of the Royal Opera, Covent Garden
• Release Year: 2000 (Original recordings from 1936)

Overview

Immerse yourself in the ultimate interpretation of Wagnerian passion with this Naxos Historical release of Tristan und Isolde. Recorded live at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, on May 18 and June 2, 1936, this performance captures the "Dream Team" of Wagnerian opera: soprano Kirsten Flagstad and tenor Lauritz Melchior. Under the fiery and precise baton of Fritz Reiner, this recording is widely cited by critics as one of the most thrilling and vocally superior accounts of the opera ever captured on disc.

As part of the Great Opera Recordings series, this 3-CD set preserves a monumental moment in musical history. The production values of the time combined with the sheer power of Flagstad and Melchior at the peak of their careers create a transcendent listening experience. This set has been meticulously restored by archivist Ward Marston to provide the clearest possible window into this legendary 1936 season.

Interesting Facts

• The Flagstad-Melchior Partnership: Kirsten Flagstad and Lauritz Melchior are often considered the greatest Wagnerian duo in history. Their vocal chemistry and power were so immense that they defined these roles for generations.
• Fritz Reiner's Rare Wagner: While Reiner is famous for his later Chicago Symphony recordings, this live 1936 performance shows his incredible command of opera, delivering a reading that is both intensely dramatic and symphonically tight.
• Historical Significance: These recordings were made during the "Golden Age" of Wagnerian singing at Covent Garden. The restoration used high-quality test pressings provided by experts to ensure archival accuracy.
• Ward Marston’s Mastery: The audio restoration was handled by Ward Marston, a multi-award-winning engineer specializing in historical transfers, ensuring that the 1930s sound is presented with maximum fidelity and minimum surface noise.

Track Listing

CD 1 (78'23")

• Act I
• Prelude (11:24)
• Scene I (5:36)
• Scene II (9:20)
• Scene III (18:24)
• Scene IV (27:15)
• Scene V (6:21)

CD 2 (63'54")

• Act II
• Prelude (1:53)
• Scene I (11:34)
• Scene II (29:19)
• Scene III (21:05)

CD 3 (68'03")

• Act III
• Prelude (4:30)
• Scene I (40:46)
• Scene II (8:29)
• Scene III (14:12)

Publishers

Archivist and Restoration Producer: Ward Marston. Music Notes by Paul Campion. ℗ 2000 HNH International Ltd. © 2000 HNH International Ltd. Distributed by MVD Music and Video Distribution GmbH.

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