Composer: Pietro Mascagni
Performer: Roberto Alagna, Angela Gheorghiu, Hyung-Wook Lee, Yosep Kang, Andion Fernandez, Laura Polverelli, George Petean
Orchestra: Deutsche Oper Berlin
Conductor: Alberto Veronesi
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Catalogue: 4778358
Release: 2009
Size: 402 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
CD 01
L’amico Fritz (Pietro Mascagni)
01. Preludietto
Act 1
02. Ma questa è una pazzia!
03. Son pochi fiori
04. Orsù, vieni tra noi
05. Chi mai sarà?
06. Laceri, miseri
07. Viva lo zingaro!
08. Per voi, ghiottoni inutili
09. Il suo sermone è splendido!
10. Son gli orfanelli…
Act 2
11. Andantino con moto
12. Ah, le belle ciliegie!
13. Bel cavalier, che vai per la foresta…
14. Suzel, buon dì.
15. Tutto tace
16. Oh! chi è che giunge?
17. Vediamo un po’!
18. Faceasi vecchio Abramo
19. Come va?
20. Quale strano turbamento
21. Fritz, noi partiamo
22. Che più s’aspetta?
CD 02
01. Intermezzo
Act 3
02. Tutto ho tentato…
03. Buon giorno, Fritz!
04. O pallida che un giorno mi guardasti
05. O amore, o bella luce del core
06. L’amico Fritz fantastica d’amore!
07. Povero Fritz, l’amore in te si desta
08. Non mi resta che il pianto
09. Come s’è fatta pallida!
10. Ah! ditela per me, quella parola
11. Amici, ho vinto! Ho vinto!
12. Tu sposi, Fritz?
Pietro Mascagni’s charming though seldom recorded romantic comedy L’amico Fritz, featuring a “phenomenal” (klassik.com) cast: Roberto Alagna is Fritz, the confirmed bachelor who succumbs in the course of this delightful opera to the irresistibly lovely Suzel, sung by Angela Gheorghiu. The recording was made in 2008 from wildly acclaimed live performances at Berlin’s Deutsche Oper, eliciting superlatives from the critics: “Two stars at the height of their powers…It was good to hear wholehearted ovations again from the Deutsche Oper audience” (Der Opernfreund); “The soloists gave of their phenomenal best and the orchestra under Veronesi played sensationally… I can’t recall the last time I heard such enthusiastic (and prolonged) applause at the Deutsche Oper” (klassik.com); “A rare musical treat” (Das Opernglas). This release is certain to be a must-have for all lovers of Italian opera as well as the many fans of Alagna and Gheorghiu
Written in 1891, immediately after the success of Cavalleria rusticana, Mascagni’s lyric comedy L’amico Fritz inhabits a musical and dramatic world very different from that of its predecessor. In place of the sizzling Sicilian theatricality of earlier tragedy, it offers a pastoral, temperate, and decidedly undramatic take on a gentle Tuscan romance. Frequently characterized as “charming,” it has hovered around the periphery of the repertoire, but has never quite established itself. This recording is taken from a live concert performance made in 2008 at Deutsche Oper Berlin, and features Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorgiu in the leading roles. While neither singer is in absolutely top form, for the most part they deliver satisfying and deeply felt performances. Alagna tends to sing with verismo mannerisms — slides and sobs — that seem out of place in this particular opera, and sometimes when he’s at full volume, a distressing wobble sets in. Gheorgiu’s performance is warmly lyrical and strongly characterized, but she doesn’t have the sheen that’s typical of her best work. Mezzo-soprano Laura Polverelli and George Petean are very fine in supporting roles. Alberto Veronesi leads the Orchestra and Chorus of Deutsche Oper Berlin in a spirited account of the score. Deutsche Grammophon’s sound is well balanced and clean. While this may not be the ideal version of the L’amico Fritz, its overall strengths and solid production values make it a contender as an introduction to the opera.