"Die Ausflüge des Herrn Broucek" ("The Excursions of Mr. Broucek"), German translation by Karlheinz Gutheim, Bayerische Staatsoper production, directed by Wolf Völker, BR live rec. at the German first performance, Prinzregententheater Munich, 1959-11-19
Cast: Fritz Wunderlich (Mazal, Azurean, Peter), Lorenz Fehenberger (Broucek), Kurt Böhme (Sexton, Lunigrove Domsik), Wilma Lipp (Malinka, Etherea, Kunka), Kieth Engen (Würfl, Wonderglitter, Councillor), Antonia Fahberg (Apprentice waiter, Child prodigy, Student), Lilian Benningsen (Housewife, Kedruta), Paul Kuen (Poet, Miroslav), Karl Ostertag (Cloudy, Voice, Vacek), Chor der Bayerischen Staatsoper, Bayerisches Staatsorchester, cond. Joseph Keilberth
"The tenor Fritz Wunderlich probably is amongst the most beautiful voices that we have heard in post-war times." (Klaus Adam in "Die Kultur", 1959-12-01)
"No less ideal is the casting of Broucek's antagonist with Fritz Wunderlich, who acts sensibly and lively, who sings outstandingly with a
radiant, perfectly handled, easily rising bel canto voice. In engaging him, Munich was once faster than Vienna." (Karl Löbl in "Express am Morgen", 1959-11-23)
"His high C, which he held efortlessly over four bars, would have made every Manrico turn green with envy." (Erich Müller-Ahrenberg in "Feuilleton")
"The Keilberth set is what might be called special interest only. This is a recording of the first German performance of the work in 1959 and while it is good to hear Wilma Lipp, Kurt Boehme and the lamented Fritz Wunderlich (a delightful Mazal), there is too much to overcome. Neither text nor translation is provided, perhaps because the German version by Karlheinz Gutheim does not really lie very close to some important elements in the work, or even always to the original vocal lines. It is odd enough, for instance, to hear Broucek mocked by the very German gibe 'alte Spiesser', but still more so to find the poet Mazal turned into a space scientist, even if Broucek does fly to the moon: here Czech's aesthetes now sing the praises of technology. Keilberth conducts warmly, but the Czech spirit is lacking. Mr Broucek may 'travel' in all sorts of directions, but not, for an English listener, this one." (John Warrack in "Grampohone" 2/1995)
If you know this recording, feel free to add your own comment!
