Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
The Queen of Spades (Pikovaya Dama/Pique Dame)
(1890) [168:50]
rec. 3-9 & 11 September 1955, House of Culture, Belgrade, Yugoslavia
Notes, track-list and synopsis provided in the booklet
ADD stereo
ELOQUENCE 4826903 [3 CDs: 168:50]
This is the penultimate recording in the series of seven
Russian operas released for the first time on CD by Decca Eloquence.
Virtually every one has merit but has probably been surpassed by subsequent
versions, not so much for reason of the sound, which is early stereo
bar the first one, but more because of cuts or relative deficiencies
in the casting, which is uniformly good but not necessarily all of “star
quality”. There are, for example, several other recordings of
The Queen of Spades which might be thought preferable, including
the recent one by Jansons (BR Klassik), those by Gergiev (Philips),
Khaikin (Melodiya), Ozawa (Sony), and even the earlier, vintage recording
conducted by Melik-Pashayev. Nonetheless, some of the singers here were
internationally successful and admired, they were part of a homogeneous
ensemble used to working together quickly efficiently and these recordings
are now available reasonably priced, so their appearance is decidedly
of interest to the devotee of Russian opera.
The listener will immediately be struck by how good this sounds for
such an old recording; the stereo separation and depth of aural field
are impressive with virtually no hiss and my admiration for its clarity
is increased when I stop and think that this was recorded in the year
of my birth. There are a few intonation issues in the orchestral playing
but it is generally secure, the conducting is alert and well sprung
and the choral singing spirited. An array of fine voices is needed for
the large cast of this opera and none disappoints; the lead tenor has
a rather hard, nasal tone but his voice is powerful and penetrating
and authentically Russian sounding. I especially like the neat, flexible
baritone of the Tomsky, Jovan Gligorjiević, who sings his narrative
of the Countess’ younger days as a beauty in France very engagingly
– intermittently supported by the conductor’s underlying
but audible vocal obbligato; his grunts obtrude throughout at moments
of particular intensity. The leading ladies sing the antique duet opening
Scene 2 very engagingly and Biserka Cvejić then sings her morbid
“Grave” aria… gravely. Valerija Heybal has a vibrant,
slightly piercing soprano, maintaining a good line and animating Lisa’s
distress feelingly; unfortunately she makes a bit of a mess of the climactic
high note in her Act 3 aria. Dušan Popović was the leading
company baritone and as part of the same series of recordings sang a
lovely Eugene Onegin, a fine Shaklovity in Khovanshchina, a
strong Shchelkalov in Boris Godunov and a splendid Prince Igor
– quite a roster. Here he sings Yeletsky so has one of Tchaikovsky’s
finest arias, “Ya vas lyublyu” and makes a predictably admirable
job of it, including a good top G. Rich-voiced contralto Melanija Bugarinović
makes a real impact as the old Countess; she is wonderful. The pastoral
scene is beautifully sung by two of the best singers doubling roles
and the sweet-voiced Sofija Janković.
There is no particular reason to purchase this if you already have any
of the aforementioned recordings but if you simply want a good account
of the opera Tchaikovsky - despite the success of Eugene Onegin
- favoured above all others, performed by an excellent company, you
will not be disappointed.
Ralph Moore
Performance details
Hermann – Aleksandar Marinković (tenor)
Count Tomsky – Jovan Gligorjiević (baritone)
Count Yeletsky – Dušan Popović (baritone)
Countess – Melanija Bugarinović (contralto)
Lisa – Valerija Heybal (soprano)
Polina – Biserka Cvejić (mezzo-soprano)
Chekalinsky – Deagutin Petrović (tenor)
Surin – Aleksandar Veselinović (bass)
Chaplitsky – Zivojin Iovanović (tenor)
Narumov – Vladimir Popović (bass)
Governess – Mira Verčević (mezzo-soprano)
Masha – Anne Jeninek (soprano)
Major-Domo – Nikola Janchich (tenor)
Prilepa/Chloë – Sofija Janković (soprano)
Milovsor/Daphnis – Biserka Cvejić (mezzo-soprano)
Zlatogor/Pluto – Jovan Gligorjiević (baritone)
Yugoslav Army Chorus; Children’s Choir of Radio Belgrade
Belgrade National Opera Chorus and Orchestra/Krešimir Baranović
