Falstaff, Verdi’s final opera, is a life-affirming comedy with a philosophical streak. Its score - sophisticated, but unfailingly captivating - is interpreted with the utmost subtlety and charm by Herbert von Karajan. With the inimitable Tito Gobbi as the roguish Sir John Falstaff and Elisabeth Schwarzkopf leading the Merry Wives of Windsor, this recording remains unrivalled in capturing the wit and generosity of both Shakespeare and Verdi.
I**E
Poor recording of Karajan.... Better available and worth buying
This famous Karajan recording is available under a number of labels. The Great Recordings of the Century is far superior to this pathetic recessed version. And with the other version you get a libretto. So, buy this wonderful recording, just not this one.
A**Y
Five Stars
Top unbeatable performance.
D**Y
excellent recording.
Falstaff has to be the most pleasing of the comedy opera's it comes to life right from the beginning, excellent recording.
A**Y
Five Stars
A variant of a well-known performance.
M**W
Five Stars
Great!
C**E
A vast improvement over earlier editions
The first cd issue of this recording on EMI was a disaster displaying all the problems of early cd transfers from analogue - thin soundstage, digital glare, all richness of the original vinyl gone. This is a huge improvement, at least the equal of the analogue. Warner really has nailed the art of cd transfers in every one of their recordings I've bought recently. The performance is, of course, legendary. Don't hesitate.
F**A
Grabación antigua
La ópera exige una calidad de sonido que este diácono tiene, suena antiguo
乃**K
ゴッビとシュヴァルツコップフの声の質がこの全曲の成否を分けるだろう
フォン・カラヤンは、このオペラを得意とし、再録音もほぼ同じキャストでDVD映像もあるほである。 そのフォン・カラヤンの重さを救っているのがファルスタフのタッデイで、彼は、実に軽妙酒脱極まりないファルスタッフ歌いである。一方、ゴッビのそれは、やや隈取がきつ過ぎ、イアーゴやロドリーゴを想起させる。さらに、シュヴァツコップフのドイツ式の発生は、イタリア勢の間では違和感がある。これらを承知なら、面白く聴けること必定である。
B**N
1957 Karajan Falstaff w/ Gobbi
I don't know why I bother reviewing, Amazon will sprinkle this review on other Falstaffs, causing consternation, and I will be blamed.But I'll go ahead and state, this is the 1957 Karajan Falstaff w/ Gobbi, and it's in fine sound, better than expected for the vintage, even on a budget label. Of course, there is no libretto, but it's complete (as probably most Falstaffs are) and not difficult to obtain online.
G**Z
A gift of music
It is almost impossible to say anything that has not already been said.In the post Toscanini age (and what isn't) this is by far the best thing that could have happened to a recording of Falstaff.In many ways even better. Von Karajan at his peak and recorded in early but fine stereo...Gobbi and company simply deliver..My favorite's Anna Moffo and Luigi Alva as the youthful lovers.This is the cream in my coffee....(forgive me for that)!
T**Y
Glad to have this historic [erformance
I have the original 33 1/3 album of this version, and while this live performance is a little different it has the same magic as that one, which is no longer available. Really happy to have it in this format.
C**A
Poor box. Good records.
The "jewel box" broke outside and inside. The records have to be held now by a box of my own making. The records play as well as expected.
G**O
Great performance
Wonderful live recording. The singers are all very good. I wish we could go to the theater today and get the same quality of singers.
J**S
My first choice.
Just lovely.
R**E
One of the best recordings of music history
Impressive. One of the best recordings of music history. A legend. Technically perfect, despite that this is a record of nearly sixty years.
M**N
Five Stars
I think this is the finest.
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