Amazon.com: Flammen is the most purely erotic opera you'll ever hear. The story is a heavily symbolic take on the Don Juan legend. The Don is actually cursed to go through life seducing women whether he wants to or not. Women can't resist him, and he can't stop himself. Even Death (a woman, of course) spends the whole opera chasing after him, though she can never claim him. For just as he reaches the height of boredom and self-disgust, he shoots himself in the head and comes back to life, young and virile, to begin the cycle all over again. Schulhoff was just one of many talented Jewish composers murdered by the Nazis whose music is now being rediscovered, and this is his masterpiece. It's a magnificent achievement, superbly performed and recorded. --David Hurwitz
Disc 1:
Flammen: Act I, Scene 1: Notturno - Einsam das Haus (Schatten)
Flammen: Act I, Scene 2: Lied des Feuers - Roter Tropfen gluht im Dunkel (Schatten)
Flammen: Act I, Scene 3: Mitternachtsmesse - Es schweigt der Dom (Schatten)
Flammen: Act I, Scene 4: Chimare - Sonnenraume, Ewigkeit. (Schatten)
Flammen: Act I, Scene 5: Galerie - Schon steht ihr da und fest (Don Juan)
Flammen: Act I, Scene 6: Dialog - Warum so lassig und wie Stein (Frau)
Flammen: Act I, Scene 7: Sturm - Wie Regenbogen am Horizont (Don Juan)
Flammen: Act I, Scene 7: Gesprach mit dem Meer - Laue Nacht uber der Wellen Schaum (Schatten)
Disc 2:
Flammen: Act II: Introduzione
Flammen: Act II, Scene 8: Karnevalsnacht - Vivat Don Juan, Donna Anna
Flammen: Act II, Scene 8: Karnevalsnacht - Mitternacht naht, bald springen die Klingen (Harlekin)
Flammen: Act II, Scene 8: Karnevalsnacht - Also doch der alte Effekt (Don Juan)
Flammen: Act II, Scene 9: Bankett - Sprich, steh auf, enttauscht von allen (Don Juan)
Flammen: Act II, Scene 9: Bankett - Der Wein zischt auf und Blut erdrohnt (Schatten)
Flammen: Act II, Scene 9: Bankett - Tod sitzt in meinem Gesicht (La Morte)
Flammen: Act II, Scene 10: Notturno - Einsam das Haus (Schatten)
outstanding! if you like 20th century expressionism and composers such as Debussy, Bartok, Hindemith,Berg, then I think you will appreciate this opera recording very much! Extremely underated in my humble opinion and would love it if more opera houses would perform more works such as this!
Modern, yes, but fascinating A 20th century German work, but not purely in the Strauss-Schrecker-Korngold vein. However, not purely late Schoenberg atonality either. Think of the lyrical side of Berg (albeit, not with the shattering emotional impact of Wozzeck) scented with post-romanticism. The tenor fares well with his treacherous part, and to have none less than Jane Eaglen is an embarrasment of riches.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tailipoe
Trevor
