Lulu - Alban Berg
Information about the opera Lulu by Alban Berg, and the best recordings available on CD or DVD, or for download.
Berg's unfinished masterpiece about Lulu, a sensual creature who refuses to abide by the rules of men, only to be consumed in the end by her own passion in the form of Jack the Ripper.
Many productions include the third act orchestrated by Friedrich Cerha.
Recommended recordings on CD
Böhm/Silja/Gutstein (Andante AN3050)
A chance to hear Anja Silja in her classic role as Lulu, recorded live at the Vienna Staatsoper in 1968.
Vienna State Opera Chorus, Vienna State Opera Orchestra, conducted by Karl Böhm, 1968.
Cast: Anja Silja (Lulu), Ernst Gutstein (Dr Schön), Waldemar Kmentt (Alwa), Martha Mödl (Countess Geschwitz), William Blankenship (Painter).
Andante AN3050 (mono)
Boulez/Stratas/Mazura (Deutsche Grammophon 463 617-2)
A superb performance and recording.
Paris Opera Orchestra, conducted by Pierre Boulez.
Cast: Teresa Stratas (Lulu), Franz Mazura (Dr Schön), Kenneth Riegel (Alwa), Yvonne Minton (Countess Geschwitz), Robert Tear (Painter).
Deutsche Grammophon 463 617-2
Recommended recordings on DVD
Albrecht/Petibon/Volle (EuroArts 2072568)
Includes the missing third act, completed by Friedrich Cerha.
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Marc Albrecht, 2011.
Cast: Patricia Petibon (Lulu), Michael Volle (Dr Schön), Thomas Piffka (Alwa), Tanja Ariane Baumgartner (Countess Geschwitz), Pavol Breslik (Painter).
EuroArts 2072568
Boder/Petibon/Holland (Deutsche Grammophon 0734637)
Lulu, mistress to Dr Schön, persuades him to break off his engagement to a respectable society lady, in Berg's opera Lulu.
A stunning live recording of the Liceu’s 2010 acclaimed and sexually frank production by Olivier Py, with an outstanding performance by Patricia Petibon as Lulu.
Symphony Orchestra of the Gran Teatro del Liceu, conducted by Michael Boder, 2010.
Cast: Patricia Petibon (Lulu), Ashley Holland (Dr Schön), Paul Groves (Alwa), Julia Juon (Countess Geschwitz), Will Hartmann (Painter).
Deutsche Grammophon 0734637
Davis (Warner Music Vision/NVC Arts 0630 15533-2)
Glyndebourne Festival Opera, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis, 1966.
Warner Music Vision/NVC Arts 0630 15533-2
Pappano/Eichenholz/Volle (Opus Arte OA 1034 D)
A minimalist production that's visually unsatisfying on DVD, but the music is superb. It was recorded live at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in 2009.
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Orchestra, conducted by Antonio Pappano.
Cast: Agneta Eichenholz (Lulu), Michael Volle (Dr Schön), Klaus Florian Vogt (Alwa), Jennifer Larmore (Countess Geschwitz), Will Hartmann (Painter).
Opus Arte OA 1034 D