The 2001 production of Lulu at Palermo's Teatro Massimo recorded live uses the two-act version of the opera rather than the long-awaited completion of the orchestration of act three by Friedrich Cerha, premiered in 1979 after the death of Berg's widow. It seems like an odd decision and the conductor doesn't offer any very compelling rationale for the choice. The availability of many excellent recordings of the complete opera raises the question of the point of releasing new recordings of the original abbreviated version, so ...
Read More
The 2001 production of Lulu at Palermo's Teatro Massimo recorded live uses the two-act version of the opera rather than the long-awaited completion of the orchestration of act three by Friedrich Cerha, premiered in 1979 after the death of Berg's widow. It seems like an odd decision and the conductor doesn't offer any very compelling rationale for the choice. The availability of many excellent recordings of the complete opera raises the question of the point of releasing new recordings of the original abbreviated version, so this is not the recording for listeners coming to the work for the first time. The performance is exceptionally taut dramatically, and the musical values are very high, though, so this version could be of interest to fans of the opera who are eager to hear yet another take on Berg's masterpiece. Stefan Anton Reck illuminates the romanticism of the score, and his reading is impassioned, supple, and texturally lush. Orchestra del Teatro Massimo throws itself into the music with ardor,...
Read Less
