German Romantic Arias

1	Fidelio, opera, Op. 72: A
2	Ah! perfido! . . . Per pi
3	Der Freischütz, opera, J.
4	Der Freischütz, opera, J.
5	Oberon, opera, J. 306: Oc
6	Euryanthe, opera, J. 291,
7	Euryanthe, opera, J. 291,
8	Infelice, concert aria fo
German Romantic Arias
1.	Fidelio, opera, Op. 72: Abscheulicher, wo eilst du hin?...Komm, Hoffnung, 8:04
	Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
	Conducted by Colin Davis
	Performed by Dresden Staatskapelle and Karita
2.	Ah! perfido! . . . Per pieta, non dirmi addio, scena and aria for soprano & orchestra, Op. 65 13:12
	Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
	Conducted by Colin Davis
	Performed by Dresden Staatskapelle and Karita
3.	Der Freischütz, opera in 3 acts, J. 277: Wie nahte mir der Schlummer...Leise, leise, fromme 8:59
	Composed by Carl Maria von Weber
	Conducted by Colin Davis
	Performed by Dresden Staatskapelle and Karita
4.	Der Freischütz, opera in 3 acts, J. 277: Und ob die Wolke sie verhülle 5:27
	Composed by Carl Maria von Weber
	Conducted by Colin Davis
	Performed by Dresden Staatskapelle and Karita
5.	Oberon, opera in 3 acts, J306: Ocean! thou mighty monster 8:10
	Composed by Carl Maria von Weber
	Conducted by Colin Davis
	Performed by Dresden Staatskapelle and Karita
6.	Euryanthe, opera in 3 acts, Op. 81 (J291): Schirmende Engelschar 2:35
	Composed by Carl Maria von Weber
	Conducted by Colin Davis
	Performed by Dresden Staatskapelle and Karita
7.	Euryanthe, opera in 3 acts, Op. 81 (J291): So bin ich nun verlassen 7:04
	Composed by Carl Maria von Weber
	Conducted by Colin Davis
	Performed by Dresden Staatskapelle and Karita
8.	Infelice, concert aria for soprano & orchestra, Op. 94 8:39
	Composed by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
	Conducted by Colin Davis
	Performed by Dresden Staatskapelle and Karita

Barnes & Noble

For some unfathomable reason, the operas of Carl Maria von Weber are rarely performed outside Germany. It's difficult to argue that the language barrier is the problem, given the popularity of Wagner and Strauss, and the plot lines are no more ridiculous than any number of popular Italian operas. Listening to the five magnificent Weber arias that form the centerpiece of this recital by Karita Mattila, one is left wondering how American opera companies can disregard such beautiful music. Of course, it takes a singer like Mattila to make "Ocean! Thou Mighty Monster" (from Weber's Oberon) compelling. This aria requires large reserves of vocal power and absolute clarity of tone, qualities that the Finnish soprano has in abundance. She can also sing with touching tenderness, as in "Und ob die Wolke sie verhülle" from Der Freischütz. This was Mahler's favorite opera, and the profound simplicity of Agathe's exquisite cavatina helps one to understand why -- assuming, that is, that Mahler had singers of Mattila's ilk around. In addition to the Weber selections are two by Beethoven: "Abscheulicher" from Fidelio and the concert aria "Ah! Perfido." Here Mattila sacrifices some dramatic power in order to savor the music's melodic expansiveness, but the depth of her feeling comes through nonetheless. More impressive is Mendelssohn's "Infelice," a rarely heard concert aria that suggests the composer had at least one great opera in him, if only he'd been given the chance to write it. Sir Colin Davis's conducting is full of subtlety and deep feeling, and the warm, glowing tones of the venerable Staatskapelle Dresden provide suitably stylish support for such a classy singer. Seth Kaufman

New York Times

Ms. Mattila has a rich and beautiful voice.... "Ah, Perfido!" and the grand "Ocean, thou mighty monster," from Weber's "Oberon," are pretty impressive. John Rockwell

International Record Review

Well thought-out and realized performances...and an interesting snapshot from musical history. Mike Ashman