Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of 18th-century opera with Fritz Wunderlich's "Mozart Contemporaries," a meticulously remastered collection of original SWR tapes recorded between 1957 and 1962. This album, released on SWR Classic, showcases the extraordinary vocal prowess of Fritz Wunderlich, one of the most celebrated tenors of his time, as he performs exquisite excerpts from operas by composers who were contemporaries of Mozart.
Spanning a rich tapestry of musical styles and dramatic expressions, the album features works by Luigi Cherubini, Alessandro Scarlatti, Christoph Willibald Gluck, George Frideric Handel, and Giovanni Paisiello, among others. From the hauntingly beautiful "Ombra mai fù" by Handel to the poignant "Santi numi del cielo" by Scarlatti, each track is a testament to Wunderlich's unparalleled artistry and the timeless beauty of classical opera.
Accompanied by the Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart and the Rundfunkorchester des Südwestfunks, Wunderlich's performances are nothing short of breathtaking. The album's duration of 1 hour and 14 minutes offers a comprehensive journey through the operatic masterpieces of the era, providing a unique opportunity to appreciate the depth and diversity of Wunderlich's vocal range and interpretive skills.
Whether you are a seasoned opera enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, "Mozart Contemporaries" is a must-listen. The album's release on May 11, 2018, marks a significant milestone in the preservation and celebration of classical music, offering a rare glimpse into the golden age of opera and the enduring legacy of Fritz Wunderlich.
2018 SWR Classic2018 SWR Classic
Tracks
Günther von Schwarzburg (Excerpts): Schönster Sohn des Himmels!Ignaz Holzbauer, Fritz Wunderlich, SWR Rundfunkorchester Kaiserslautern, Emmerich Smola
Günther von Schwarzburg (Excerpts): O König, deine HandIgnaz Holzbauer, Fritz Wunderlich, Elisabeth Verlooy, SWR Rundfunkorchester Kaiserslautern, Emmerich Smola
L'innocenza giustificata: Alte Eiche an schwindelnden Hängen (Sung in German)Christoph Willibald Gluck, Fritz Wunderlich, SWR Rundfunkorchester Kaiserslautern, Emmerich Smola
Brenno: Santi numi del cieloJohann Friedrich Reichardt, Elisabeth Verlooy, Fritz Wunderlich, SWR Rundfunkorchester Kaiserslautern, Emmerich Smola
L'amor contrastato "La molinara": Nel cor più non mi sentoGiovanni Paisiello, Elisabeth Verlooy, Fritz Wunderlich, SWR Rundfunkorchester Kaiserslautern, Emmerich Smola
Alcide al bivio (Excerpts): Questo agevole a ameno - Dei clementi, amici deiVincenzo Righini, Fritz Wunderlich, SWR Rundfunkorchester Kaiserslautern, Emmerich Smola
Alcide al bivio (Excerpts): Alme belle, fugitte prudentiVincenzo Righini, Elisabeth Verlooy, Margarethe Bence, Fritz Wunderlich, Hans Günter Nöcker, SWR Rundfunkorchester Kaiserslautern, Emmerich Smola
Der Wasserträger (Excerpts): O du meine ErretterLuigi Cherubini, Hildegard Hillebrecht, Fritz Wunderlich, Marcel Cordes, Radio Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart des SWR, Hans Müller-Kray
Der Wasserträger (Excerpts): Mich trennen soll ich von dem GattenLuigi Cherubini, Hildegard Hillebrecht, Fritz Wunderlich, Radio Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart des SWR, Hans Müller-Kray
Der Wasserträger (Excerpts): Gott! Täuscht mein Auge mich nichtLuigi Cherubini, Hildegard Hillebrecht, Fritz Wunderlich, Marcel Cordes, Christa Lippmann, Robert Hoyem, August Messthaler, Radio Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart des SWR, Hans Müller-Kray
Der Wasserträger (Excerpts): Dies Schweigen ist so fürchterlichLuigi Cherubini, Hildegard Hillebrecht, Fritz Wunderlich, Robert Hoyem, Klaus Bertram, Walter Köninger, Stuttgart Radio Choir, Radio Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart des SWR, Hans Müller-Kray
Gli equivoci in amore, o vero La Rosaura: Quel povero coreAlessandro Scarlatti, Fritz Wunderlich, SWR Rundfunkorchester Kaiserslautern, Emmerich Smola
Serse, HWV 40: Ombra mai fùGeorge Frideric Handel, Fritz Wunderlich, Radio Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart des SWR, Alfons Rischner
Vinylscout