I find your attitude toward Zigeunerliebe to be like mine to almost all the rest of Lehar. Invariably I find one, maybe two numbers I truly love, can't get enough of and the rest is best reserved for those nights when I'm restlessly tossing and turning in bed. The two I mentioned, Pagannini and Land of Smiles were written for the Great Richard Tauber and contain a great aria for him. Most of the rest of these pieces are a crashing bore. Years ago, Richard Bonynge started a series of these operettas, in English (a bit more accessible to this non German speaking listener) and featuring Jerry Hadley who on paper would seem to have been perfect for these. YAWN, and double YAWM, the works themselves don't reward the time spent listening, IMO.
I far prefer Kalman to Lehar, much more consistent and as far as operetta composers go, bring on Norvello, one glorious tune after another. |
