Hans Hotter, Astrid Varnay, Set Svanholm, Fritz Reiner - Wagner: Der fliegende Hollander (2002)

On Naxos 8110189-90; 2 CD's; Brilliantly remastered by the reknowned Ward Marston!!! The great Fritz Reiner leads the best possible cast of 1950 in New York: Astrid Varnay, Hans Hotter (in a rare New York appearance), Set Svanholm, and Sven Nilsson, all in smooth, fine voice, performing a powerful, intense, and moving "Fliegende Hollander." Sometimes legendary performers exceed their reputations to produce an operatic event for the ages. This was one of those afternoons when it all came together. The blazing intensity starts with conductor Fritz Reiner and the Met orchestra in the famous overture. And with two of the greatest singing actors of the 20th century, Hans Hotter and Astrid Varnay, as the tormented Flying Dutchman and Senta, the passionate young woman determined to save him from his fate, the drama just continues to escalate. Astrid Varnay stunningly conveys all the passion and commitment that a convincing Senta requires. Hans Hotter displays the nobility of the tortured Dutchman’s soul, intensely emotional and musical in his keen observance of the score's detail. Set Svanholm is choice casting in a role that is often avoided by the world’s top heldentenors (Melchior, for example, never sang it on stage at all) and is splendidly forthright and focused; and Sven Nilsson, as Daland, contributes most effectively to this stellar gathering which, under the vivid direction of Fritz Reiner, is undeniably among the finest group ever to have committed the opera to disc. As well, Thomas Hayward and Hertha Glaz are a fine Steersman and Mary. This is a "MUST HAVE" in any collection!! Of note is the fact that this is the only COMPLETE release of this performance. Other versions are missing the coda to Senta's Ballad, but Marston found a source tape of the performance which included it, thus making a complete performance.