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CD Review
Wolfgang Mozart
Il Rè Pastore, K. 208
- Roberto Saccà
- Ann Murray
- Eva Mei
- Inga Nielsen
- Markus Schäfer
Concentus Musicus Wien/Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Teldec Das Alte Werk 2564-69259-9 108m DDD
Recordings of Mozart's opera "Il Rè Pastore" are few and far between but this newly minted reissue dating from the early 90's is surely one of the top versions around. Having grown up with the sounds of Leopold Hager and his DG recording, Harnoncourt can safely be described as quite close to this landmark reading with a superb set of soloists and splendidly vivid sound to boot.
This drama is slightly earthbound in its musical advances although there are a few arias of interest especially in the second act and one can observe the transition which Mozart was undergoing in his operas. I am not a fan of recitatives but these are ostensibly part of the scenery here and are handsomely carried out.
I was enthused to find three essays in the quite extensive booklet note although the libretto is available online – another space saving initiative from Warner. These latest Das Alte Werk reissues boast of beautiful presentation so if you haven't got this work in your collection, now is the time to get it under Harnoncourt's inspired direction.
Copyright © 2009, Gerald Fenech
