Richard Strauss - Daphne - Güden, Wunderlich, Schöffler, King - Böhm 1965Performer: Harald Pröglhöf, Hilde Gueden, Ludwig Welter, Rita Streich, Kurt Equiluz, Hans Braun, Fritz Wunderlich, Paul Schöffler, Vera Little, Erika Mechera, James King
Conductor: Karl Böhm
Orchestra/Ensemble: Vienna State Opera Chorus, Vienna Symphony Orchestra
This is Strauss's most lyrical opera and occupies a special place in the affections of his admirers. 13Ohm's unfolding of the marvellous orchestral score, from that first oboe melody to its final metamorphosis, is the work of a master-interpreter—one has only to hear his majestic phrasing of the cellos' Peneios melody (full score, page 90) to recognize that. Hilde Gueden's Daphne is a lovely performance, sung with an engaging innocence, as befits this mysterious heroine, but also with the soaring richness that the part requires in its most dramatic passages, such as the duet with Apollo, sung by James King with power and conviction. He has never possessed a voice notable for its tonal beauty, but he is really rather impressive here.
For tonal beauty, however, there is Wunderlich as Leukippos, making something exceptionally expressive out of every phrase. Schafler's Peneois must have been better a few years earlier, but it has a noble dignity one would be hard-pressed to equal today, and Vera Little copes well with all but the lowest notes of the Erda-like part of Gaea. -- Gramophone [10/1988], review of DG 423 5792
Listen to the tracks at Amazon (another release)
