Richard Strauss – Ariadne auf Naxos (Aus den WDR Archiven 1954) (2xCD)

Product Information

UPC: 4006408671664
Product Type: Compact Disc – Digital Audio (DDD)
Label/Series: Capriccio – A Product of Delta Music GmbH, Frechen, Germany
Catalogue Number: 67 166/67
Original Composer: Richard Strauss (1864–1949)
Work: Ariadne auf Naxos – Opera in one act with a prelude
Libretto: Hugo von Hofmannsthal (Neue Bearbeitung by Caterino Mazzola)
Original Recording Date: May 18, 1954
Recording Venue: WDR Funkhaus, Saal 1, Köln
Conductor: Joseph Keilberth
Performers Include:

• Ariadne (Soprano): Hilde Zadek
• Zerbinetta (Soprano): Rita Streich
• Der Komponist (Soprano): Sena Juri
• Bacchus: Hans Hopf
• Najade (Soprano): Gerda Sommerschuh
• Dryade (Alto): Maria von Ilosvay
• Echo (Soprano): Käthe Möller-Siepermann
• Harlequin (Baritone): Horst Günter
• Scaramuccio (Tenor): Alfred Pfeifle
• Truffaldin (Bass): Fritz Ollendorf
• Brighella (Tenor): Walter Jenckel
• Ein Musiklehrer (Baritone): Alfred Poell
• Ein Tanzmeister (Tenor): Peter Offermann
• Der Haushofmeister (Sprecher): Eduard Marks
• Plus, the WDR Rundfunkchor Köln (today: WDR Rundfunkchor Köln) and the Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester (today: WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln)
  Production Credits:
• Producer/Executive Producer: Karl O. Koch
• Recording Producer/Tonmeister: Hans-Georg Daehn
• Remastering & Audio Restoration: Stephan Schmidt
• Design: sowiesodesign.de
• Photos: AKG-images, Berlin
  Release Year: 2006
  Made in: EU

Overview

Immerse yourself in a historic broadcast gem with this digitally remastered recording of Richard Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos. Sourced directly from the WDR archives dating back to 1954, this complete recording captures the opera in one act accompanied by a prelude, as originally transmitted in German. Under the masterful direction of Joseph Keilberth, the performance balances the refined elegance of Strauss’s score with the vivid dramatic interplay of its characters. With an outstanding cast—including Hilde Zadek as Ariadne, Rita Streich as Zerbinetta, and other distinguished soloists—the production offers a rare snapshot of mid-20th century German opera on radio. Enjoy the authenticity and emotional depth of a performance that has been carefully restored and remastered to meet modern listening standards, ensuring that the legacy of Strauss and his timeless work endures.

Product Features

Format & Audio Excellence

• Digital Clarity:
  • Released on Compact Disc in a DDD (Digital Digital Data) format, showcasing high-fidelity remastering that preserves the authentic sound of the original mono broadcast while delivering enhanced clarity for today’s listeners.
• Historical Recording:
  • Captured live in 1954 at the WDR Funkhaus, Saal 1, this recording is an authentic document of post-war German opera and broadcasting tradition.

Musical & Performative Highlights

• Dramatic Structure:
  • Ariadne auf Naxos is presented here as an opera in one act with an introductory prelude, offering a compact yet emotionally compelling interpretation of Strauss’s work.
• Distinguished Cast:
  • The performance boasts an exceptional lineup of vocalists and instrumentalists. Hilde Zadek’s portrayal of Ariadne shines alongside Rita Streich’s indistinct portrayal of Zerbinetta and Sena Juri’s unique contribution as “Der Komponist.”
• Orchestral and Choral Brilliance:
  • Supported by the WDR Rundfunkchor Köln and the Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester, this production under Joseph Keilberth’s baton is a testament to the rich operatic tradition broadcast by WDR.

Production & Packaging

• Expert Remastering:
  • Remastered by Stephan Schmidt, this release transforms the original 1954 mono recording into a high-quality digital format, preserving its historical warmth while enhancing its modern audio appeal.
• Elegant Presentation:
  • The packaging, crafted by sowiesodesign.de and featuring archival images from AKG-images, reflects the cultural and artistic significance of this historic production.
• Collector’s Edition:
  • This Capriccio release is a must-have for collectors, opera enthusiasts, and scholars interested in the authentic sound of broadcast opera from one of Germany’s most celebrated eras.

Interesting Facts

• WDR Archive Treasure:
  • This recording is part of the famous WDR archives, representing one of the landmark productions of German opera in the mid-20th century. Its broadcast captured the spirit of post-war cultural rejuvenation in Germany.
• Legacy of Joseph Keilberth:
  • Conducted by the eminent Joseph Keilberth, whose interpretation helped define the operatic performance style on German radio during the 1950s.
• Authenticity and Restoration:
  • The meticulous remastering work ensures that the performance’s original emotional impact and acoustic character are preserved, allowing modern audiences to experience the opera as it was originally intended.

Publishers / Release Information

This edition of Ariadne auf Naxos is presented by Capriccio, a distinguished label under Delta Music GmbH of Frechen, Germany. It is a digital remaster of a complete WDR broadcast production from 1954, proudly released in 2006. For more details on this historic release, please visit www.capriccio.at or www.deltamusic.de.

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Hashtags

English:

#RichardStrauss #AriadneAufNaxos #WDRArchiven1954 #CapriccioRecords #HistoricalOpera #JosephKeilberth #GermanOpera #DigitalRemaster #OperaCollectors #ClassicOpera