COMPOSERS: Beethoven
LABELS: Sony
WORKS: Fidelio
PERFORMER: Altmeyer, Jerusalem, Meven, Nimsgern, Nossek, Wohlers, Adam, Konig, Spathe; Rundfunkchor Leipzig, Men's Choir Rundfunkchor Berlin & Gewandhausorchester Leipzig/Kurt Masur
CATALOGUE NO: 88697575592
Kurt Masur turns in a predictably elegant, slightly underthrusting Beethoven fidelio with sophisticated Leipzig forces in the first of the Eurodisc reissues. Jeannine Altmeyer’s Leonore is up against the greats, and doesn’t quite match them, but she’s certainly committed, her exchanges with Jerusalem’s stalwart Florestan are highly charged and the dialogue catches fire as never before. While the secondary soprano and tenor are only adequate, Siegmund Nimsgern’s villain keeps temperatures boiling. David Nice