The Telegraph, 23/08/2004
Rupert Christiansen
von Weber: Der Freischütz, Edinburgh, 17 August 2004
Edinburgh reports: Weber's originality sings out across the years
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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