Schönberg: Gurre-Lieder (Dutch National Opera)

Burkhard Fritz (Waldemar); Emily Magee (Tove); Anna Larsson (Waldtaube); Markus Marquard (Bauer); Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke (Klaus Narr); Sunnyi Melles (Narrator );

Begun in the year 1900, amidst the art nouveau curlicues of Klimt and the Jugendstil, Schönberg’s grandcantata is written in a lush, late-romantic style indebted to Wagner and Mahler and pre-dating his pioneeringatonal works. This setting of the mediaeval Danish legend of Gurre Castle – a love triangle between KingWaldemar, his mistress Tove and a jealous Queen – gains an innovative new dimension in this first-everstaging of the work, directed by Pierre Audi.

Reviews

"An evening of both substance and beauty" (Financial Times)

"... fascinating and emotionally charged musical theatre." (Bachtrack ★★★★)

"Marc Albrecht’s masterful conducting of the Netherlands Philharmonic emphasizes not just the score’s decibel level but also exquisite, chamber-like details." (The New York Times)

"Burkhard Fritz [...] carries the dramatic weight admirably, running the Tristanesque gamut from ecstasy to the deepest despair and delirium. Emily Magee [...] is a moving, entranced and entrancing Tove. Anna Larsson [...] is a sternly impassioned Waldtaube here, and the character's long scene is a highlight of the staging. Melle's mercurial narrator, given a spoken prologue, is excellent. The way she and other characters appear even when not singing helps Audi to weave together his compelling vision. The accompanying documentary focuses on the DNO chorus, with justification: they are terrific throughout. The detailed, virtuoso playing of the orchestra and Marc Albrecht's clear-sighted but impassioned conducting need fear no comparison with the best audio-only versions. A very impressive achievement all around." (Gramophone)