Richard Strauss - Daphne - Popp, Schreier - Haitink2CDs - DDD - 104min.
EMI 1988
Performer: Lucia Popp - Daphne; Reiner Goldberg - Apollo; Ortrun Wenkel - Gaea; Kurt Moll - Peneios; Peter Schreier - Leukippos; Ludwig Baumann - First Shepherd; Alexander Senger - Second Shepherd; Wolfgang Vater - Third Shepherd; Matthias Hölle - Fourth Shepherd; Dorothea Wirtz - First Servant; Uta-Maria Flake - Second Servant;
Orchestra: Bavarian Radio Chorus, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Bernard Haitink
Strauss' minor masterpiece Daphne gets a sumptous recording here with Popp, Goldberg, Schreier and Moll all in top form. Popp, especially, is in resplendent vocal estate. Haitink shapes the score with care and the digital recording is clear and nicely balanced. Popp's rendition of the closing transformation scene has yet to be equaled - it's incredibly moving. --Amazon customer
