Thomas Hampson, Gregory Kunde, Sandra Trattnigg, Reinaldo Macias & Günther Groissboeck
Chorus and Orchestra of the Zurich Opera House, Philippe Jordan
Directed by Michael Grueber / Ellen Hammer, Set design by Eduardo Arroyo, Costumes by Eva Dessecker & Lighting by Jürgen Hoffmann
“[Thomas Hampson possesses] all the physical and vocal energy one could wish for…..flourishes and ornaments leap out of his melodic lines….the gestures [are] also natural, his phrasing and pitch sure. Mr. Hampson, as his career justifiably grows, has preserved an unmannered charm.” The New York Times
“The greatest opera ever written about the practice of magic cries out for sumptuous medievalism and CGA, but is usually lucky if it ends up with a statuesque mishmash like this 2006 Zurich Opera House production. But there have been worse attempts, and the musical values here are high. Philippe Jordan directs his superb orchestra with a real sense of the score's uncanny atmospheres, its aching lyricism and sombre rapture. Thomas Hampson, though often wooden in his acting, sings with immense feeling.” BBC Music Magazine, February 2008 ****
“…this production has many strengths, Hampson, after seeming ill-at-ease in the first Prelde… audibly grows into the role. Trattnigg is beguiling as the Duchess and Macias shines as the Soldier (Gretchen's grief-stricken brother) and pompous Duke. The show is stolen, however, by Gregory Kunde's Mephistopheles, a portrayal vocally superb throughout and brilliantly acted. Felix Breisach's video direction is commendably unfussy, catching both the scale of the production's biggest moments as well as Kunde's mischievous expressions.” Gramophone Magazine, March 2008
