This release lifts the audio from the DVD of Kasper Holten’s production of Korngold’s opera released by Opus Arte in 2013, filmed at the Finnish National Opera three years earlier (1/14). Joining Donald Runnicles in Vienna (Orfeo, 11/05) and Sebastian Weigle in Frankfurt (Oehms, 12/11), we now have Mikko Franck in Helsinki and a third recommendable 21st-century audio recording of this outright operatic masterpiece, even if all three are taped live in the theatre and all three feature Klaus Florian Vogt in the lead role of Paul. (Vogt has just taken over the role from Jonas Kaufmann in Simon Stone’s production at the Bavarian State Opera; the audio from the superlative DVD of the first run, conducted by Kirill Petrenko – A/21 – would likely be a contender, too).
The USP here is Finnish soprano Camilla Nylund apparently in the form of her life, radiant and effortless as she consistently powers and floats above Korngold’s thrillingly noisy orchestra, embodying both skittish love interest and noble departed heroine. Marietta/Marie is far from an easy sing and hers is surely the most compelling rendition of the role on record. No less taxing is the ever-present Paul. Vogt’s is front-footed but nuanced, benefiting from his consolidating performance in Frankfurt the year earlier. Sari Nordqvist is a bold Brigitta and Markus Eiche a touching Frank/Fritz.
So no complaints in the vocal department. But there is plenty more to get right in this opera, whose electrifying orchestral cut-and-thrust speaks of the moral and philosophical chaos of the 1920s even as it’s spinning out wondrous tunes, and whose visionary 22-year-old composer asks for plenty of brilliant ‘special effects’ he probably had yet to learn how to score efficiently. Franck prioritises top-line vocal lyricism and you can miss the depth, churn and b rhythmic tectonics that to my ears make Weigle a top choice, just about.
Some of those ghostly moments – distant bands, dismembered choruses – are better in Frankfurt and Vienna and so present an audio performance that’s more ‘of a piece’. Franck’s care with voices can also marginally curtail some of the score’s mania, its nightmarishly freewheeling waltzes, post-Wagnerian gloom and crushing claustrophobia – an unparalleled depiction of grief. Either way, I’ll treasure this recording for Nylund’s performance and simply for its excuse to dwell on this music again. Some still say it’s kitsch. I don’t hear anything that doesn’t serve a coruscating, highly original and ever relevant drama.
Opus Arte 1121D (DVD)
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Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Composer Finnish National Opera Children's Chorus Finnish National Opera Chorus Finnish National Opera Orchestra Mikko Franck, Conductor Camilla Nylund, Marietta, Soprano Juha Riihimäki, Count Albert, Tenor Kaisa Ranta, Juliette, Soprano Klaus Florian Vogt, Paul, Tenor Markus Eiche, Frank, Baritone Melis Jaatinen, Lucienne, Mezzo soprano Per-Håkan Precht, Victorin, Tenor Sari Nordqvist, Brigitta, Mezzo soprano |
| 1 | Behutsam! Hier ist alles alt (1. Akt) |
| 2 | Frank! Freund! |
| 3 | Nur deiner harr ich, niemals Verlorne! |
| 4 | Rosen - so ists recht! |
| 5 | Wunderbar! Ja, wunderbar! |
| 6 | Glück, das mir verblieb |
| 7 | Das dumme Lied, es hat Sie ganz verzaubert |
| 8 | O Traum der Wiederkehr |
| 9 | Marietta! - Paul... Paul... |
| 10 | Orchester - Marietta! |
| 11 | Vorspiel (2. Akt) |
| 12 | Was ward aus mir? |
| 13 | Wohin? Frank - du? |
| 14 | Schäume, schäume |
| 1 | Mein Sehnen, mein Wähnen |
| 2 | Orchester - Halt ein! Du, eine auferstandene Tote? |
| 3 | Du machst mir eine Szene? |
| 4 | Vorspiel (3. Akt) |
| 5 | Dich such ich, Bild! |
| 6 | Du hier? - Als ich erwachte |
| 7 | Orchester - O süßer Heiland mein |
| 8 | Du bist ja fromm! |
| 9 | Ah, was ist das? |
| 10 | Ich tanz, ich tanz |
| 11 | Die Tote - wo - lag sie nicht hier |