FRANZ VON SUPPÉ (1819 – 1895)

Fatinitza

Operetta in Three Acts

 

Libretto: Friedrich Zell & Richard Geneé

Dialogue version: Leonard C. Prinsloo

 

Stephanie Houtzeel, Steven Scheschareg, Zora Antonic, Christian Bauer, Bernhard Adler

Chor des Lehár Festivals Bad Ischl, Franz-Lehár Orchester, Vinzenz Praxmarer

 

Fatinitza, a work premiered in 1876 is certainly a masterpiece. The Lehár Festival in Bad Ischl presented the practically forgotten original version of this gem last year and CPO is proud to be able to present it here to you on this world première production.

 

Fatinitza, an operetta in three acts, based on La Circasienne of Eugène Scribe, set by Auber, has a text by Zell and Genée, two of the most distinguished collaborators in the genre of operetta. Set in the Crimean War, it deals with the mistakes that occur when Lieutenant Wladimir adopts female disguise, captivating the General Kantschukoff and later finding himself imprisoned in a Turkish harem. It was first staged at the Carltheater in 1876.

 

Franz von Suppé’s numerous operettas are endowed with a rare melodic richness, but only the overtures continue to be performed today – a great injustice, considering the fact that his operettas or ‘comic operas’ (as they were termed at the time) are not only masterly in their harmonic composition and magnificently instrumented but also brimming with catchy melodies.

 

This performance stars the critically acclaimed Stephanie Houtzeel, extolled by Classics Today on a previous release: “Her absolutely ravishing vocalism here deserves attention by all who love singing…. The star is Houtzeel…..[whose] sheer musicality and ability to project excitement and enjoyment in her performance elevates this recording from respectable to essential.”

 

CPO 2cds 7772022