Cast: Fritz Wunderlich (Tamino), Karl Christian Kohn (Sarastro), Erika Köth (Königin der Nacht), Anneliese Rothenberger (Pamina), Hermann Prey (Papageno), Gertrud Freedmann (Papagena), Ferry Gruber (Monostatos), Kieth Engen (Sprecher), Hildegard Hillebrecht, Dagmar Naaf, Ira Malaniuk (Drei Damen), Chor der Bayerischen Staatsoper, Münchener Philharmoniker, cond. Fritz Rieger
Stefan Hüller (France), 2002: "This mono recording from the Bayerische Staatsoper is apparently taken from a radio broadcast and has an excellent sound without distortions. Let me note that this 3 CD box is quite expensive. I highly prefer it to Boehm's studio recording for DG for two reasons: 1.) since it is a stage performance the singers are not doubled in the dialogues. None of the singers fail. The diaglogues in Boehm's recording are horrifying.2.) Hermann Prey is playing a sympathetic Papageno, avoiding to "play an interpretation of this role" (although I estimate Fischer-Dieskau, I could never tolerate him in the most important role of this opera). Fritz Wunderlich as Tamino is very engaged and with his vocal means he is outstanding (only Dermota, under Furtwängler, comes close, but his interpretations and his voice is soo different). I highly appreciate also Karl-Christian Kohn's Sarastro with a profound bass avoiding the usual type of interpretation "vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her ...". Also Kieth Engen's "Sprecher" is convincing and is NOT the typical bass/baritone at the end of a career. Fritz Rieger as conductor does a good job. The female cast is weaker, although the young Anneliese Rothenberger is charming as Pamina, but Erika Köth is far from her means she presented in the Salzburg performances under Szell." [comment submitted to this website]
If you know this recording, feel free to add your own comment!
