FIDELIO (9) "Abscheulicher ! Wo eilst du hin ?" Ludwig

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Fidelio
Act 1
Christa Ludwig Leonore
James King Florestan
Walter Berry Don Pizarro
William Dooley Don Fernando
Joseph Greindl Rocco
Lisa Otto Marzelline
Martin Vantin Jaquino
Arthur Rother
Chor und Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin
1963

[@manthasagittarius1]

She is so strong and so perfectly believable, in the short wig and the man's suit and her plain good face. She is the embodiment of a woman stumbling around in the hostile world, determined to get her man back and bring him home.

[@elmarkurze1800]

christa Ludwig, die beste leonore, die es je gab.

[@orion8835]

This is such a strong performance. I personally find Janowitz’s voice too hooty and boy soprano to bear. This role is so very difficult and presents virtually every challenge for a soprano voice. I think casting this with a big high mezzo like Ludwig is the way to go with Fidelio. Sopranos either found like loud fluttery flutes,matronly steely Turandots or tired Wagnerian voices who just phone it in. It’s a wondrous performance. Early Rysanek did wonders with this as well as Martha Mödle.