This classic recording of the penultimate Mozart opera is lovingly restored to the catalogue at an attractive price and with a full libretto to boot. Astonishingly, there are very few recordings of this work but István Kertész certainly reigns supreme amongst his peers on almost all counts.
First of all, the cast is truly excellent. Werner Krenn sings impeccably as Tito whilst Teresa Berganza's youthful 'Sesto' is also quite ravishing. Lucia Popp takes the role of Servilia and brings dramatic intensity and colour to the proceedings whilst Brigitte Fassbaender is an excellent Annio.
Kertész conducts with a feeling and dramatic intensity for this fine Mozart score that is quite shamefully overlooked. I will only point to the exquisite March in the beginning of the First Act for a typical example of proceedings. This is great stuff then and a warm welcome to this set that remains a bastion of Mozartian interpretation.
Copyright © 2006, Gerald Fenech