Judging from the evidence of the recordings and the photographs, the Teatro le Fenice di Venezia's June 2005 production of
Strauss' Daphne would have made a fine night at the theater. In this live recording, Scott Mac Allister is a big-voiced and powerful Apollo,
Roberto Sacca is an admirably convincing Leukippos, and
June Anderson is a sweet-toned and appealing Daphne.
Stefan Anton Reck coaxes colorful and mighty sounds out of the Venetian pit orchestra. And there are plenty of moments of real beauty here, particularly in the palpably thrilling scene of Daphne's ultimate apotheosis as a laurel tree. But even a fine night at the theater may or may not wear well over time. Will Mac Allister's Apollo come to seem merely blustery until his big aria of contrition? Will
Sacca's Leukippos come to seem simply simpering until his big death scene? Will even
Anderson's splendid Daphne remain alluring in comparison with the great Daphnes --
Maria Reining,
Hilde Gueden,
Lucia Popp, and
Renée Fleming? That's up to the individual listener. But for a fine performance for as long as it lasts, this Daphne is worth listening to. Dynamic's live sound is unfortunately dim, distant, and dull, thereby diminishing the effectiveness of the performance.