A 20th Century Opera Collection - Henze - Die Bassariden - Dohnányi

Die Bassariden
Opera seria with Intermezzo in One Act
Libretto: W.H. Auden & C. Kallman after Euripides's The Bacchae

Dionysos: Loren Driscoll
Pentheus: Kostas Paskalis
Kadmos: Peter Lagger
Teiresias: Helmut Melchert
Agaue: Kerstin Meyer

Wiener Philharmoniker
Christoph von Dohnányi

Rec. Live 1966

The August 6, 1966, premiere of Hans Werner Henze's opera "Die Bassariden" at the Salzburg Festival has, over time, become regarded as a justly famous event. It isn't often that you can travel back in time and take a front row seat for such a show, but in the case of Orfeo's first-time release of the recording of this event, you can. This production also proved an early triumph for its 36-year-old conductor, Christoph von Dohnányi.

"Die Bassariden" is nowhere near as difficult a listen now as it may have been in 1966. While there are occasional dramatic stings that go a little over the top, most of it is no more difficult than average current-day movie music. The operatic and dramatic components of the work are seamlessly developed, and the action is easy to follow even without an English-language libretto (an English summary is included). Also included is the intermezzo "Das Urtell der Kalliope," originally presented as a centerpiece within the opera, but since 1966 withheld from most productions of "Die Bassariden" at the request of the composer. The singing, acting, and orchestral playing are all just great – what an amazing night this must've been at the Salzburg Festival!

The master tape plays with a somewhat shrill top, a weak bottom end, and a tiny bit of hiss. Fanciers of historic opera recordings will regard the sound as more than satisfactory; others may take exception. If you have a strong interest in opera as it developed in the turbulent scene of the 1960s, this Orfeo disc is one you can't afford to miss.

Uncle Dave Lewis, All Music Guide




Tracklist:

Disc: 1

1. The Bassarids, opera in 1 act: Movement 1. Pentheus ist unser Herr.
2. The Bassarids, opera in 1 act: Movement 1. Ayayalya! Der Gott Dionysos zieht ein in Boiotial
3. The Bassarids, opera in 1 act: Movement 1. Auch mich verlockt der Tanz
4. The Bassarids, opera in 1 act: Movement 1. Warum? - Dionysos… - Preiset Dionysos!
5. The Bassarids, opera in 1 act: Movement 1. Der König! - Zu frei war das Gesetz.
6. The Bassarids, opera in 1 act: Movement 2. Wart, Pentheus. Keine Befehle.
7. The Bassarids, opera in 1 act: Movement 2. Treue Beroe! Nur dir allein
8. The Bassarids, opera in 1 act: Movement 2. Mutter. Agaue. Sprich.
9. The Bassarids, opera in 1 act: Movement 2. Dionysos; du hast ihn gesehn?
10. The Bassarids, opera in 1 act: Movement 3. Part 1. Näher nach Delphi die Sonne sinkt
11. The Bassarids, opera in 1 act: Movement 3. Part 1. Intermezzo. Auf dem alten Waldweg, am Hang vorbei…

Disc: 2

1. The Bassarids, opera in 1 act: Movement 3. Part 1. Gebt mir den Hammer. / Das Urteil der Kalliope. Kalliope hält, von Zeus bestell
2. The Bassarids, opera in 1 act: Movement 3. Part 2. Hätte ich doch die nackte Tat gesehn
3. The Bassarids, opera in 1 act: Movement 3. Part 2. Und das ist der König?
4. The Bassarids, opera in 1 act: Movement 3. Part 2. …Nacht öffnet weit, was Tag verschloß
5. The Bassarids, opera in 1 act: Movement 3. Part 2. Ich sah in Augen, die waren meine.
6. The Bassarids, opera in 1 act: Movement 4. Heil dem Dionysos, der gesegnet das Jagen
7. The Bassarids, opera in 1 act: Movement 4. Unaya! - Nacht und wieder Nacht.
8. The Bassarids, opera in 1 act: Movement 4. Ja, ich bin er: Ich bin Dionysos

Pass: leverkuhn

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