Bernstain "Fidelio"

[Chaszz]

Perhaps someone can kindly help me. Over 20 years ago, I heard on the radio the last part of a recording of a wonderful live performance of "Fidelio" where the audience cheered wildly at the conclusion. Afterward the announcer stated it was Leonard Bernstein conducting the Vienna Philharmonic. I have looked for this recording widely but have never found it. Bernstein recorded Fidelio twice, as far as I can tell, a studio performance without audience with the Veinna Philharmonic, and a live one with the RAI orchestra of Italy. Does anyone know anything at all about the recording of the performance I mention first?

[Andrea]

I have the double CD performance of "Fidelio" with Bernstein conducting the Vienna Philharmonica from 1978. It features Gundula Janowitz as Leonore and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau as Don Fernando. This 1978 production was performed at the Vienna State Opera, which was televised live and which also forms the basis of this recording.

Bernstein had prepared Fidelio for the Vienna State Opera back in 1970 during Beethoven's bicentenary year. He conducted the first performance of this production at the Theater an der Wien, where Fidelio had its premiere in 1805. As far as I know, Chaszz, only this 1978 production was recorded. I'm listening to it now. I also have a production of Fidelio conducted by Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic, but I love the Bernstein recording much more.

P.S. all of the applause has been edited out of this recording.

[This message has been edited by Andrea (edited August 23, 2002).]

[This message has been edited by Andrea (edited August 23, 2002).]

[Michael]

The 1978 recording with Bernstein and the Vienna Phil is available as volume 4 of the Complete Beethoven Edition, where it forms part of a four CD set, the other two being taken up with a semi-staged performance of "Leonore" cond. by John Eliot Gardiner.
It's on DGG 453719-2 and should still be available on its own at mid-price.
An unusual thing about this fine performance is the way in which Bernstein interpolates the Leonore 3 overture. The very last note of "O namenlose Freude!" leads without a break into the opening of the overture and is very effective.

Michael

[Chaszz]

Originally posted by Andrea:
I have the double CD performance of "Fidelio" with Bernstein conducting the Vienna Philharmonica from 1978. It features Gundula Janowitz as Leonore and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau as Don Fernando. This 1978 production was performed at the Vienna State Opera, which was televised live and which also forms the basis of this recording.

Thank you Andrea for solving this mystery for me. I have been aware of this set for some time and have heard it, but not hearing the applause I assumed it was a different performance.

Bernstein had prepared Fidelio for the Vienna State Opera back in 1970 during Beethoven's bicentenary year. He conducted the first performance of this production at the Theater an der Wien, where Fidelio had its premiere in 1805. As far as I know, Chaszz, only this 1978 production was recorded. I'm listening to it now. I also have a production of Fidelio conducted by Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic, but I love the Bernstein recording much more.

P.S. all of the applause has been edited out of this recording.

[This message has been edited by Andrea (edited August 23, 2002).]

[This message has been edited by Andrea (edited August 23, 2002).]

[Chaszz]

Originally posted by Michael:
The 1978 recording with Bernstein and the Vienna Phil is available as volume 4 of the Complete Beethoven Edition, where it forms part of a four CD set, the other two being taken up with a semi-staged performance of "Leonore" cond. by John Eliot Gardiner.
It's on DGG 453719-2 and should still be available on its own at mid-price.
An unusual thing about this fine performance is the way in which Bernstein interpolates the Leonore 3 overture. The very last note of "O namenlose Freude!" leads without a break into the opening of the overture and is very effective.

Michael

Michael, Does this set have the Fidelio applause which is important to me? I found the same recording mentioned above by Andrea rather dry without the applause. Thank you.

[Michael]

No, Chaszz, there is no applause on the recording, and it doesn't seem like it has been edited out. It doesn't sound like a "live" recording and there is no indication in the booklet to that effect.

Michael

[Rod]

For what it's worth I personally haven't heard a performance of Fidelio worthy of its great name. Now if Frans Bruggen were even given the baton for this piece....!



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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin

[Harvey]

I know. Old thread, but I can't help myself. The Bernstein Fidelios of 1978 are a DVD of a live performance and a CD done several weeks later in the studio. Both are great but the DVD soundtrack has more life in it because it was acted out and Gundula Janowitz acted it well with much emotion.

I am on a Fidelio binge to watch 8 on DVD and one on You Tube. So far have watched four and one is almost as good as the Bernstein DVD, that one being Bohm featuring Gwyneth Jones as Leonore.