Stravinsky - Oedipus Rex - Norman, Moser - Davis 1983CD - DDD - 49'13
Orfeo 1983
Performer: Thomas Moser, Jessye Norman, Roland Bracht, Siegmund Nimsgern, Alexandru Ionita, Michel Piccoli
Conductor: Sir Colin Davis
Orchestra/Ensemble: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Bavarian Radio Chorus
Date of Recording: 1983
Venue: Herkules-Saal, Munich
I reccommend this recording above all others mainly for the outstanding performance of the baritone Sigmund Nimsgern in the dual roles of Kreon and The Messenger. The power of this man's voice alone is enough to make this disc worth it.
But there's more! Thomas Moser displays some virtuosic acting ability in his performance (particularly because Stravinsky's rather oddly shaped melodic lines make expression much more difficult than anything written by, say, Bellini), and he does an excellent job at creating the most frightening musical atmosphere possible in the second act's duet between Jocasta and Oedipus. However, this phenomenon is partially the fault of the incomparable Jessye Norman.
The other really great thing about this performance is the casting of Roland Bracht as the gnarled old blind prophet Tiresias. I cannot imagine a voice better suited to this part than the haunting bass of Mr. Bracht. Although such a timbre would not be suited to many roles from, say, the late romantic Italian literature, this voice certainly finds its niche in this role. --Amazon customer
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