Rief

This Original Jackets collection offers the opportunity to celebrate the art of Hans Knappertsbusch, held in the deepest affection by many of the musicians and singers who worked with him. He was considered by many as High Priest of Bayreuth, and accordingly this edition includes his 1951 and 1962 Bayreuth traversals of Parsifal as well as the heartwarming Vienna Meistersinger of 1950–51, the Munich Fidelio of 1961 and several highlights with notable opera stars of his time.

This Original Jackets collection offers the opportunity to celebrate the art of Hans Knappertsbusch, held in the deepest affection by many of the musicians and singers who worked with him. He was considered by many as High Priest of Bayreuth, and accordingly this edition includes his 1951 and 1962 Bayreuth traversals of Parsifal as well as the heartwarming Vienna Meistersinger of 1950–51, the Munich Fidelio of 1961 and several highlights with notable opera stars of his time.

This Original Jackets collection offers the opportunity to celebrate the art of Hans Knappertsbusch, held in the deepest affection by many of the musicians and singers who worked with him. He was considered by many as High Priest of Bayreuth, and accordingly this edition includes his 1951 and 1962 Bayreuth traversals of Parsifal as well as the heartwarming Vienna Meistersinger of 1950–51, the Munich Fidelio of 1961 and several highlights with notable opera stars of his time.

Diana Damrau and Jonas Kaufmann, reigning stars of opera, are also consummate interpreters of song. In early 2018, with master pianist Helmut Deutsch, they performed Hugo Wolf’s multi-faceted Italienisches Liederbuch in 12 cities around Europe. “One couldn’t ask for more,” wrote the Telegraph after their London concert, which took place two days before this live recording was made in the German city of Essen.

Diana Damrau and Jonas Kaufmann, reigning stars of opera, are also consummate interpreters of song. In early 2018, with master pianist Helmut Deutsch, they performed Hugo Wolf’s multi-faceted Italienisches Liederbuch in 12 cities around Europe. “One couldn’t ask for more,” wrote the Telegraph after their London concert, which took place two days before this live recording was made in the German city of Essen.

Wagner interpretations with Herbert von Karajan and the Berliner Philharmoniker have a quality all of their own. Critics always admired the ability of the musicians to bring out not only Wagner’s luscious sound, but also all the subtleties of the score. Moreover, Karajan was able to rally the singers to successfully convey the lyrical tenderness of Wagner’s heroes despite their vocal powers.