FRANZ SCHMIDT (1874-1939): Notre Dame.
Catalogue Number: 08P053
Label: Capriccio
Reference: C 5181
Format: CD
Price: $16.98
Description: This 1902-04 opera, based on Victor Hugo's novel, is grandly Romantic with lush orchestration, Wagnerian use of leitmotifs (some beautiful harp material in the gypsy girl Esmeralda's), big Brucknerian choruses and plenty of Brahms and Richard Strauss popping through the colorful web of music. Think of it as German verismo and you won't go far wrong. No libretto. Gwynneth Jones (soprano), James King, Horst R. Laubenthal (tenors), Kurt Moll (bass), RIAS Chamber Choir, Choir of St. Hedwig's Cathedral, Andreas Juffinger (organ), Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra; Christof Perick. Original 1989 release.