Historic 1st Recording of Hansel & Gretel Opera from 1944 URLP 212 Box As Issued

$

90

Historic 1st Recording of Hansel & Gretel Opera from 1944 URLP 212 Box As Issued

Offered is a quite hard to find release of The First Complete Recording of the enchanting Hansel and Gretel Opera by Engelbert Humperdinck (the composer).

Based upon the well-known children's fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm written in the early 1800's, the Opera by Humperdinck was composed in the late 1800's.  Wikipedia has a page with information about the performance history of Hansel and Gretel Opera, which you may find interesting.

Because sound recording was in its infancy during the early performances - our offering here is the first complete recording.  While information about this recorded performance is somewhat sketchy, it is of the peformance of April 25, 1944, in Berlin (just a few weeks before the D-Day landing by Allied Troops). 

As the audience watched the Opera and listened to the angelic voices of the Berlin Mozart Boys' Choir, the Allies and Russian "siblings" busied themselves with the preparations for a different ending scene.  They would transform Berlin itself into an oven in which Der Fuehrer would meet his end.

How the recording survived the carnage that was about to occur in the months following April 25 must doubtless be a remarkable story - indeed a mystery that may never be known.  But survive it did - and reviewers of this recording say that both the performance and sound quality seem unaffected by the utter destruction that was about to unfold. 

Interestingly, the actual release of this Hansel and Gretel performance did not occur until some seven years later, in 1951. 

The production and release of this recording was one of the early projects of the newly created (1951) Urania Records located in East Germany.  Additionally, this Double LP Set is an early 33? Vinyl production (soon to become the standard for records) as opposed to the predominantly 78 RPM Shellac (and brittle!) records that had characterzed virtually all music recordings before then. 

Our offering here is in superb, Investment Grade condition and is likely in the finest condition of any of the few that still exist.  It is complete as issued with the German-English Libretto and the informational insert produced by Urania Records. The fabulous front cover artwork is by Siegmund Forst  (please see our photo gallery):






Englebert Humperdinck / Erna Berger / Marie Luise Schilp / Hans Heinz Nissen / Berlin Mozart Boys Choir / Symphony Orchestra of Radio Berlin / Arthur Rother - Conductor - Hansel Und Gretel




Label :  Urania Records - URLP 212 / Historic 1st Recording

Format :  Vinyl / Mono  Double LP Box Set Album with Libretto and Insert

Country :  U.S.

Released :  1951

Genre :  Classical

Style :   Opera

Cover: VG

Sleeve: NM

Vinyl: NM

LP VINYL GRADING SCALE:

• SEALED   Jacket is sealed shut in shrink wrap.

• NEAR MINT Record appears un-played; it will have no marks, sleeve scuffs, or scratches.

• VG++   Record will show one or two visible cosmetic imperfections (light scratches, sleeve scuffs or other superficial marks) that will not affect play.

• VG+     Record will show a few visible imperfections. These may include sleeve scuffs, superficial marks, light scratches.

• VG       Record will show several of the kinds of visible imperfections found on VG+ records. The record will not have scratches deep enough to be felt with a fingernail.

• VG-      Record will show many visible imperfections including light scuffs/scratches. Also, one scratch deep enough to be felt with a fingernail will be graded VG-.

• G          Record will show many visible imperfections including light scuffs/scratches. Also, multiple scratches deep enough to be felt with a fingernail will be graded G.

LP ALBUM COVER GRADING SCALE:

• SEALED   Visible cover imperfections and shrink wrap tearing will be described in detail.

• NM       Cover will appear as though brand new and will display no imperfections, wear, or signs of handling.

• VG++   Cover will show one or two superficial imperfections; very light wear to the corners/seams. May have cut-out markings such as a cut corner, hole punch, or saw cut.

• VG+     Cover will show a few signs of wear and handling, but they will be neither prominent nor numerous. May include a single split to the seams or spine not exceeding 1" in length, light stains /discoloration, small crease marks, and faint wear (shelf or ring).

• VG       Cover will show several of the same signs of wear and handling present on a VG+ cover. Splits to the seam or spine will not exceed 5" in length. The presence of a single pronounced flaw, such as extremely prominent shelf or ring wear, marking, staining, writing, or discoloration will cause an LP cover to be graded VG, as will the presence of an appreciable number of minor flaws.

• VG-      Cover will show many minor imperfections, and multiple pronounced flaws such as prominent shelf or ring wear, marking, staining, writing, or discoloration. Splits to the seams or spine will not exceed 8" in length.

• G         Cover will show heavy wear and/or several of the pronounced flaws described above. Splits to the seam or spine may exceed 8" in length.

        Refer to the pictures as the best condition description

        The item in the pictures is the item you will receive

        Will be packaged and shipped carefully with tracking

        Shipping to USA addresses will be done via Media Mail 

        International shipments will be calculated.  

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Please contact us with any questions.  We do not accept returns so carefully check out the photos before purchasing. Thank you!