Step forward the next Isolde…
OperaBavarian Radio has released audio of Lise Davidsen singing the second act of Tristan und Isolde for the first time.
Stuart Skelton is Tristan. Simon Rattle conducts.
The sound is phenomenal.
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The stars of the night were Rattle and the orchestra, which played and sounded splendid. That that was the case tells us everything about the current state of operatic singing.
Also, that is not Bavarian Radio’s YouTube channel but, rather, someone’s private YT channel. The individual simply recorded the Bavarian Radio broadcast of the first concert and then uploaded it to his channel.
Correct. The broadcast is available completely legally on the website of the Bavaran Radio: https://www.br-klassik.de/programm/radio/ausstrahlung-3602882.html
However, I am not sure whether it is available from outside Germany and/or Europe.
Skelton makes it extremely difficult to listen to (especially uncut).
I attended this concert. Although I wasn’t enamored with the hall acoustic from my good stalls seat, the orchestra was superb, so passionate and committed; I have never seen Sir Simon quite as animated as he was. Unfortunately I found the vocal duo mentioned above disappointing. There was very little chemistry between them and too often Davidsen’s voice failed to assert itself with the orchestra in full flow. Words just became sounds as I struggled to hear proper enunciation from her. I must say however that I really enjoyed the performances of Karen Cargill (Brangäne), Sean Michael Plumb (Melot) and Franz-Josef Selig (König) who brought great presence and gravitas to the role. So a very mixed performance overall from my perspective.
You, perhaps, did not purchase a copy of the programme. Franz Josef Selig did not sing. Due to illness, he was replaced by fellow German bass Christof Fischesser for both performances.
Balance problems are for the conductor, not the singers.
A lot of unsubtle, pushed singing here. Ann Evans, she aint.