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Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Information about the composer Ludwig van Beethoven and his operas.

One of the most respected and influential composers of all time.

Operas (complete):

Fidelio

Beethoven's only opera, written as a response to Mozart's Don Giovanni.

Recommended recordings on CD

Elder (Glyndebourne GFOCD 004-06)

GFOCD 004-06

An excellent modern production set in a prison camp, and recorded live in 2006 at the Glyndebourne Festival.

London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Mark Elder, 2006.

Glyndebourne GFOCD 004-06

Buy on CD:
Amazon.com

Halász/Nielsen/Winbergh (Naxos 8.660901-03)

8.660901-03

An Opera Plus version combining Fidelio (c. Halász) with a commentary CD.

Nicolaus Esterházy Sinfonia, Hungarian Radio Chorus, conducted by Michael Halász, 1998.

Cast: Inga Nielsen (Leonore), Gösta Winbergh (Florestan), Alan Titus (Don Pizarro), Kurt Moll (Rocco), Edith Lienbacher (Marzelline), Herwig Pecoraro (Jaquino).

Naxos 8.660901-03

Buy on CD:
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Klemperer/Ludwig/Vickers (EMI Classics 7243 567 364-2)

567 364-2

This 1962 studio recording is considered by many to be the definitive version.

Philharmonia Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Otto Klemperer, 1962.

Cast: Christa Ludwig (Leonore), Jon Vickers (Florestan), Walter Berry (Don Pizarro), Gottlob Frick (Rocco), Ingeborg Hallstein (Marzelline), Gerhard Unger (Jaquino).

EMI Classics 7243 567 364-2


Halász/Nielsen/Winbergh (Naxos 8.660070-71)

8.660070-71

A newcomer that surpasses the classic recordings, and at budget price.

Nicolaus Esterházy Sinfonia, Hungarian Radio Chorus, conducted by Michael Halász, 1998.

Cast: Inga Nielsen (Leonore), Gösta Winbergh (Florestan), Alan Titus (Don Pizarro), Kurt Moll (Rocco), Edith Lienbacher (Marzelline), Herwig Pecoraro (Jaquino).

Naxos 8.660070-71 (mono)

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Buy as download:
iTunes
Classics Online

Furtwängler/Mödl/Windgassen (Naxos Historical 8.111020-21)

8.111020-21

A historic recording from 1953.

Vienna State Opera Chorus, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Wilhelm Furtwängler, 1953.

Cast: Martha Mödl (Leonore), Wolfgang Windgassen (Florestan), Otto Edelmann (Don Pizarro), Gottlob Frick (Rocco).

Naxos Historical 8.111020-21

Buy on CD:
Amazon.com
Buy as download:
Classics Online

Recommended recordings on DVD

Harnoncourt/Nylund/Kaufmann (Arthaus Musik 107 111)

107 111
107 111

Recorded live at the Opernhaus, Zürich, in 2004, this is a superb performance with excellent sound, a near-perfect cast, and an effective minimalist production by Jürgen Flimm.

Zurich Opera House Chorus, Zurich Opera House Orchestra, conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt, 2004.

Cast: Camilla Nylund (Leonore), Jonas Kaufmann (Florestan), Alfred Muff (Don Pizarro), László Polgár (Rocco), Elizabeth Rae Magnuson (Marzelline), Christoph Strehl (Jaquino).

Arthaus Musik 107 111

Buy on DVD:
Amazon.com

Also included in the boxed set:
Magic Moments of Opera