Experience the golden voice of Alexander Kipnis, one of the most celebrated bass-baritones of the 20th century, in this comprehensive collection of opera arias and lieder. Spanning nearly two decades of recordings from 1922 to 1939, this two-disc set offers a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich, resonant tones of Kipnis's voice, showcasing his remarkable range and interpretive depth.
The album features a diverse selection of works from the operatic repertoire, including arias from Verdi's "Simon Boccanegra" and "Don Carlo," Mozart's "Die Entführung aus dem Serail" and "Don Giovanni," and Wagner's "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg" and "Die Walküre." Kipnis's performances are marked by their technical virtuosity and expressive power, bringing each character to life with striking immediacy.
In addition to his operatic prowess, Kipnis was also a renowned interpreter of lieder, and this collection includes a wealth of songs by Schubert, Schumann, and Brahms. From the haunting beauty of Schubert's "Der Lindenbaum" to the dramatic intensity of Brahms's "Auf dem Kirchhofe," Kipnis's performances are characterized by their sensitivity and nuance, revealing the full depth of these beloved works.
Recorded between 1922 and 1939, these performances offer a fascinating glimpse into the golden age of recorded music, capturing the unique sound and style of a bygone era. Whether you're a seasoned opera enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of classical vocal music, this collection is sure to captivate and inspire. With a total duration of over two and a half hours, this album is a treasure trove of vocal artistry, showcasing the extraordinary talent of Alexander Kipnis and the enduring power of the human voice.
(C) 1997 Nimbus Records Limited
Tracks
Simon Boccanegra: A te l'estremo addio...Il lacerato spirito (Recorded 1931)Giuseppe Verdi, Alexander Kipnis, Erich Orthmann, Staatskapelle Berlin
Don Carlo: Sie hat mich nie geliebt…Könnte doch die Krone (Ella giammai m'amo) (Recorded 1930)Giuseppe Verdi, Alexander Kipnis, Clemens Schmalstich, Staatskapelle Berlin
Il barbiere di Siviglia: Die Verleumdung, sie ist ein Lüftchen (La calunnia è un venticello) (Recorded 1931)Gioachino Rossini, Alexander Kipnis, Erich Orthmann, Staatskapelle Berlin
Die Entführung aus dem serail, K. 384: Wer ein Liebchen hat gefunden (Recorded 1931)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Alexander Kipnis, Erich Orthmann, Staatskapelle Berlin
Le nozze di Figaro, K. 492: Rache Arie (La vendetta) (Recorded 1931)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Alexander Kipnis, Else Ruziczka, Fritz Wolff, Erich Orthmann, Staatskapelle Berlin
Don Giovanni, K. 527: Register-Arie (Madamina!) (Recorded 1930)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Alexander Kipnis, Clemens Schmalstich, Staatskapelle Berlin
Der Wildschütz: Fünftausend Taler (Recorded 1931)Albert Lortzing, Alexander Kipnis, Erich Orthmann, Staatskapelle Berlin
Der Freischutz, Op. 77: Hier im ird'schen Jammertal (Recorded 1930)Carl Maria von Weber, Alexander Kipnis, Clemens Schmalstich, Staatskapelle Berlin
Martha: Lasst mich euch fragen (Porterlied) (Recorded 1930)Friedrich von Flotow, Alexander Kipnis, Clemens Schmalstich, Staatskapelle Berlin
Faust: Vous qui faîtes l'endormie (Recorded 1930)Charles Gounod, Alexander Kipnis, Clemens Schmalstich, Staatskapelle Berlin
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, WWV. 96: Das schöne Fest, Johannistag (Recorded 1926)Richard Wagner, Alexander Kipnis, Erich Orthmann, Staatskapelle Berlin
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, WWV. 96: Verachtet mir die Meister nicht (Recorded 1926)Richard Wagner, Alexander Kipnis, Leo Blech, Staatskapelle Berlin
Parsifal, WWV. 111: So ward es uns verhiessen (Good Friday Music) (Recorded 1927)Richard Wagner, Alexander Kipnis, Siegfried Wagner, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
Die Walküre, WWV. 86B: Leb' wohl du kühnes herzliches Kind (Wotan's Abschied) (Recorded 1926)Richard Wagner, Alexander Kipnis, Leo Blech, Staatskapelle Berlin
Ariodante, HWV 33: Al sen ti stringo e parto (Recorded 1930)George Frideric Handel, Alexander Kipnis, Arthur Bergh, Erich Orthmann, Clemens Schmalstich, Leo Blech, Siegfried Wagner, Staatskapelle Berlin, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
Berenice, HWV 38: Si, tra i ceppi (Recorded 1929)George Frideric Handel, Alexander Kipnis, Arthur Bergh, Erich Orthmann, Clemens Schmalstich, Leo Blech, Siegfried Wagner, Staatskapelle Berlin, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
Heidenröslein, D. 257 (Recorded 1936)Franz Schubert, Alexander Kipnis, Gerald Moore, Erich Orthmann, Clemens Schmalstich, Leo Blech, Siegfried Wagner, Staatskapelle Berlin, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
Die schöne Müllerin, D. 795: Ungeduld (Recorded 1936)Franz Schubert, Alexander Kipnis, Gerald Moore, Erich Orthmann, Clemens Schmalstich, Leo Blech, Siegfried Wagner, Staatskapelle Berlin, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
Erlkönig, D. 328 (Recorded 1939)Franz Schubert, Alexander Kipnis, Celius Dougherty, Erich Orthmann, Clemens Schmalstich, Leo Blech, Siegfried Wagner, Staatskapelle Berlin, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
Der Wanderer, D. 493 (Recorded 1927)Franz Schubert, Alexander Kipnis, Frank Bibb, Erich Orthmann, Clemens Schmalstich, Leo Blech, Siegfried Wagner, Staatskapelle Berlin, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
Winterreise, D. 911: Der Lindenbaum (Recorded 1928)Franz Schubert, Alexander Kipnis, Frank Bibb, Erich Orthmann, Clemens Schmalstich, Leo Blech, Siegfried Wagner, Staatskapelle Berlin, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
Winterreise, D. 911: Der Wegweiser (Recorded 1927)Franz Schubert, Alexander Kipnis, Frank Bibb, Erich Orthmann, Clemens Schmalstich, Leo Blech, Siegfried Wagner, Staatskapelle Berlin, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
Schwanengesang, D. 957: Aufenthalt (Recorded 1928)Franz Schubert, Alexander Kipnis, Frank Bibb, Erich Orthmann, Clemens Schmalstich, Leo Blech, Siegfried Wagner, Staatskapelle Berlin, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
Schwanengesang, D. 957: Am Meer (Recorded 1928)Franz Schubert, Alexander Kipnis, Frank Bibb, Erich Orthmann, Clemens Schmalstich, Leo Blech, Siegfried Wagner, Staatskapelle Berlin, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
Schwanengesang, D. 957: Der Doppelgänger (Recorded 1927)Franz Schubert, Alexander Kipnis, Frank Bibb, Erich Orthmann, Clemens Schmalstich, Leo Blech, Siegfried Wagner, Staatskapelle Berlin, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
Die beiden Grenadiere, Op. 49 (Recorded 1939)Robert Schumann, Alexander Kipnis, Celius Dougherty, Erich Orthmann, Clemens Schmalstich, Leo Blech, Siegfried Wagner, Staatskapelle Berlin, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
5 Lieder, Op. 105: No. 4, Auf dem Kirchhofe (Recorded 1929)Johannes Brahms, Alexander Kipnis, Arthur Bergh, Erich Orthmann, Clemens Schmalstich, Leo Blech, Siegfried Wagner, Staatskapelle Berlin, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
5 Lieder, Op. 105: No. 2, Immer leiser wird mein Schlummer (Recorded 1929)Johannes Brahms, Alexander Kipnis, Arthur Bergh, Erich Orthmann, Clemens Schmalstich, Leo Blech, Siegfried Wagner, Staatskapelle Berlin, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
6 Lieder, Op. 86: No. 2, Feldeinsamkeit (Recorded 1929)Johannes Brahms, Alexander Kipnis, Arthur Bergh, Erich Orthmann, Clemens Schmalstich, Leo Blech, Siegfried Wagner, Staatskapelle Berlin, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
5 Lieder, Op. 94: No. 4, Sapphische Ode (Recorded 1929)Johannes Brahms, Alexander Kipnis, Arthur Bergh, Erich Orthmann, Clemens Schmalstich, Leo Blech, Siegfried Wagner, Staatskapelle Berlin, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
I Vespri Siciliani: O tu Palermo (Recorded 1922)Giuseppe Verdi, Alexander Kipnis, Erich Orthmann, Clemens Schmalstich, Leo Blech, Siegfried Wagner, Staatskapelle Berlin, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
Don Carlo: Ella giammai m'amo (Recorded 1923)Giuseppe Verdi, Alexander Kipnis, Erich Orthmann, Clemens Schmalstich, Leo Blech, Siegfried Wagner, Staatskapelle Berlin, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
Der Barbier von Baghdad: So schwärmet Jugend (Recorded 1923)Peter Cornelius, Alexander Kipnis, Erich Orthmann, Clemens Schmalstich, Leo Blech, Siegfried Wagner, Staatskapelle Berlin, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
Alexander Kipnis, a Russian-born operatic bass, captivated audiences with his profound artistry and rich vocal endowment. Initially gaining prominence in Europe, Kipnis later became an American citizen in 1931. His powerful performances, particularly in heavy roles, spanned over three decades, showcasing his versatility and mastery. Kipnis is renowned for his stunning interpretations of Wagner's Wotan and Sachs, as well as his compelling delivery of various songs and arias. His ability to embody characters with depth and musicality made him a formidable presence on stage. Whether performing in Chicago or making his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in 1940, Kipnis's legacy endures as one of the most beautiful bass voices of his time.