The stars of this recording of Der Freischütz are conductor
Joseph Keilberth, the Chorus of Deutschen Oper Berlin, and the
Berlin Philharmonic. The chorus sings with wonderfully full, warm tone and high spirits, creating vivid characterizations of the hunters, peasants, bridesmaids, and spirits that populate the opera. The
Berlin Philharmonic performs with complete assurance and stylishness, beautifully capturing the atmosphere of the opera's widely diverse scenes, and
Keilberth keeps the dramatic tension high. The leads are more than adequate, but not stellar. Rudolf Schock is a bland Max, and his voice lacks the sheen and resonance to give him a real heroic presence. As Agathe,
Elisabeth Grummer conveys a woman of fragile temperament through a somewhat tremulous tone. She has no difficulty with the role's demands, but there is a pronounced change in timbre between her upper and middle registers, most noticeably in "Und ob die Wolke sie verhülle." The secondary roles are more memorably taken.
Lisa Otto is an adorable, perky Ännchen, and she sings with silky smoothness.
Hermann Prey is a powerful Ottakar, and best of all is
Gottlob Frick, hugely resonant and authoritative in the small role of the Hermit. This performance includes the spoken dialogue, which is delivered with great effectiveness. EMI's sound is clean and creates a good sense of dramatic space.