About this Artist

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Editorial Reviews

Although Fritz Wunderlich ranged more widely in his short career than this collection would have you believe, focusing as it does exclusively on music for the stage, no album could better hope to capture the essence of this fantastic singer. The youthful virility and beauty of his singing are on full display, cascading through one memorable tune after another. A note to opera fans: the Italian and French excerpts are all sung (with one exception -- Handel's "Ombra mai fu") in German translation, even though they are listed under their original-language titles. But that shouldn't deter anyone. If anything, hearing these classic arias retexted gives some perspective on the lyricism Wunderlich brought to his art, and makes an argument for translation of opera in general; you'll never miss the original when it's this well sung. The operetta selections are equally enjoyable, perhaps even more so for being less familiar to many listeners. Some gems include the gondolier song "Komm in die Gondel" from Johann Strauss II's "Eine Nacht in Venedig," recorded offstage as if from a distance, and Adolf Neuendorff's "Der Rattenfänger," the simple tunefulness of which serves as a perfect showcase for this most melodious of tenors. The orchestral playing, by a variety of ensembles, is excellent throughout. Allen Schrott, All Music Guide

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