FERRUCCIO BUSONI (1866-1924): Die Brautwahl.

Description: Two centuries-old magicians intercede in a comic-opera love quadrangle in this opera from 1912, based on a tale by E.T.A. Hoffmann. The fact that the evil magician is a Jew helped make Barenboim's 1992 performance of the opera in Berlin a somewhat uncomfortable experience for some viewers. But there is much attractive music with much buffo material and many hair-pin changes from reality to complete fantasy. 2 CDs. No libretto. Carola Höhn (soprano), Vinson Cole (tenor), Siegfried Vogel, Roman Treckel (baritones), Günter von Kannen (bass), Chorus of the Berlin State Opera, Staatskapelle Berlin; Daniel Bareboim. Original 1999 release.