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The Telegraph, 23/08/2004 |
Rupert Christiansen |
von Weber: Der Freischütz, Edinburgh, 17 August 2004
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Edinburgh reports: Weber's originality sings out across the years
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Sir Charles Mackerras conducted a blazing
account of Freischütz. Despite a major shoulder operation and the approach
of his 80th birthday, Mackerras still radiates astonishing youthful energy,
as spritely in the charming folkish dances as he was demonic in the Wolf's
Glen scene. Everything went with a crisp bounce, everything was purposefully
shaped, and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra were with him the whole way.
Jonas Kaufmann sang Max with impressive force and ardour, though a little
more variety of colour would have been welcome. His Agathe, Hillevi
Martinpelto, had difficulty pitching "Und ob die Wolke" and never quite
found the moonlit clarity of tone that the role requires. John Relyea
blustered effectively as Caspar, Ailish Tynan gave a characterful account of
Ännchen's Act 3 aria, but it was Mackerras's night.
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