Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #98199 in Digital Music Album
• Published on: 1989-10-10
• Released on: 1989-10-10
• Running time: 0 seconds

Customer Reviews

First choice, by a small margin
Tannhäuser has been recorded surprisingly rarely: I believe the only studio recordings are Solti's from 1971, and this Sinopoli from 1988. Neither recording is ideal, but I believe this recordings virtues are slightly greater than those of the Solti.

First and foremost is Plácido Domingo, whose silvery, ringing voice is ideal for the title role. His German is eccentric, but he is forgiven for the excellence of his voice. He is far superior to Kollo for Solti. Cheryl Studer sings a beautiful, well-characterized Elisabeth, but is not always ideally steady and is no match for the radiant Helga Dernesch (Solti). Agnes Baltsa characterizes well, but similarly does not have an ideal voice and is inferior to Christa Ludwig. Andreas Schmidt, though, is a beautiful, velvety Wolfram, singing beautifully in his Act III solo. Matti Salminen sings well but is rather uneven. The rest of the cast is excellent, and the Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden contributes inspired choral work. Sinopoli directs the Philharmonia Orchestra warmly and lyrically; his interpretation is more flexible than Solti's sometimes stiff, cold account. Sinopoli takes the Overture rather more slowly than usual, which is a little strange at first, but gradually gets better. Sinopoli also controls the transitions excellently. Superb liner notes and a libretto are included. The digital sound is fabulously clear and rich. In the end, the virtues of this recording outweigh the drawbacks. This is as fine a recording as the work has yet received.

A sonic and vocal winner!
For a recording over ten years old, the small number of reviews here is surpising. I think Domingo and Studer make this a superb recording, singing with full, sonorous voices without a hint of strain. Their voices ring. Domingo triumphs in acts one and three and Studer owns Act two. The sound is rich and full and Sinopoli brings passion and drama a plenty to the recording. I fail to see how this is an "awful recordng". But we listeners all come with our own expectations. The recording certainly deserves to be heard and it is the only recording of Tannhauser tha I own and plan to own. I hope more people will at at least hear the recording and review it. I think that this recording in particular makes more lamentable Sinopoli's recent death. Balsta definitely falls short of Ludwig's peformance. Schmidt sings well doing justice to his song in act three and the chorus is top notch. Gramophone, Opera Now, Penguin Guide, Opera News, Stereo Review (in the olf format) gave the recording good to raving reviews. That many peole can't be totally wrong. Give the recording its due.

Best Tannhauser out there
This is probably the best recording of Tannhauser that is out there, of which there are a fair number. First the positives. Domingo's voice is excellent for the title role with very smooth and with clear annuciation (impressive, considering it is not one of his main languages). He also inparts his professional sense of passion to all of his music, Italian or German. He also does not "overdo" his singing of the role as some do (specifically Kollo's in Solti's recording). Sinopoli's direction of the Philharmonia Orchestra is very good. I actually enjoy the Overture at a slower pace, such that it is not rushed as in some recordings (i.e. Levine with the MET on DVD). He also makes sure that the orchestra does not overwhelm the singers at any point. The Philharmonia is always technically excellent as well. Andreas Schmidt is also wonderful as Wolfram. Now for the negatives. Neither of the female leads (Studer or Baltsa) are as impressive as the male characters. The other complaint that I would have is that the Chorus of the Royal Opera House as they are technically okay, but don't seem to have much passion for the music. I can't recall a Pilgrim's chorus that was tame as this one. However, all in all, this recording is probably the best that is out there because of the orchestra and male leads.