Janacek Opera Lot (5) – Supraphon (3) – London (2) 11 Lps NM-

$

26

This collection features what most consider Leos Janacek's “Top Five” operas, pressed on the top two recording labels of his work – Supraphon and London.

A quick brush stroke of Janacek life's work was one of struggle; getting his modernist vision of opera performed unabridged in the capital cities of eastern Europe in the early 20th century. He was forever revising and trimming much of his work to get them heard in Prague and Budapest.

It has been through the lifelong efforts of American-born, Sir Charles Mackerras of Australia, that we have many major restorations of Janacek's works as written.

Mackerras is the featured conductor on the two London recordings: “The Makropulos Case” and “Katya Kabanova”

For those not familiar with the Supraphon label, these are real treats. Wonderful sounding and well-recorded, the remaining three operas owe much to the recording venue: The “House of Artists” in Prague offers the best of both studio and concert hall sound. The label, which began exports in earnest after World War II, has done much to acquaint the world with Czech composers like Smetana, Dvorak, Zelenka, as well a Janacek. It is the only former Eastern Bloc, state-owned record producer still in existence today.

These opera sets comes from an estate that I acquired which included over 800 operas, lieders and songspiels. The original Detroit area owner, often went to some lengths in acquiring a collection that had many recordings and/or pressings that were not marketed in the United States. It appears he obtained the recordings both directly via European & South American mailings or through a dealer in New York on a record-by-record basis.

The previous owner also had a penchant for affixing a red disc sticker to one side of each record. These discs may or may not come off cleanly, but I don't want to risk tearing the label. (See picture)

In listening to the entire collection, there was only a single audible event – a two-groove pop on side three of Jenufu (Act II, Scene 4). The only visual defect to the vinyl of this collection are two surface scuffs in the Supraphon Opera, “The Excursions of Mr. Broucek”. These scuffs have no sonic penalty. Without these two detractions, I would have had no problem rating the entire collection as NM.

All of the Supraphon paper sleeves, have been discarded and replaced with “Mo-Fi” type sleeves (cushioned anti-static sleeves).

The following are the Individual opera specifics:

The Excursions of Mr. Broucek to the Moon and into the 15th Century

(Restored 1916 version - an Opera in 2 Parts (4 Acts))

Czech Philharmonic Chorus & Orchestra – Directed by Frantisek Jilek

Recorded from Aug. 25th to September 4th 1980 House of Artists – Prague

Supraphon – Stereo 1116 3291-3 (1982) (3-Lps)

Vilem Pribyl – Tenor

Miroslav Svejda - Tenor

Bohuslav Marsik – Bass – Baritone

Jana Jonasova – Soprano

This record set has a two small scuffs which have no sonic penalty. I've auditioned the entire opera and it plays as one would expect from its glossy black appearance – clean and quiet. NM- or EX+

The Box Cover for the set is still lustrous and holding up well – NM- or EX+

From the House of the Dead – Opera in 3 Acts

Czech Philharmonic Chorus & Orchestra – Directed by Vaclav Neumann

Recorded from June 5th to June 22nd, 1979 - House of Artists – Prague

Supraphon – Stereo 1116 2941-2 (1981) (2-Lps)

Richard Novak – Baritone

Matilda Jirglova - Soprano

Vilem Pribyl – Tenor

Jaroslav Striska– Tenor

The entire opera plays as one would expect from its glossy black appearance – clean and quiet. NM

The Box Cover for the set is still lustrous and holding up well – NM minus

Jenufa – An Opera in 3 Acts

Brno Janacek Opera Chorus and Orchestra - Directed by Frantisek Jilek

Recorded from Sept 1st to 3rd ,1977 and Jan 1st & 2nd ,1978 Czechoslovakia

Supraphon – Stereo 1116 2751/2-3 (1980) (2-Lps)

Gabriela Benackova - Soprano

Vilem Pribyl – Tenor

Vladimir Krejcik - Tenor

Anna Borova – Mezzosoprano

Nadezda Kniplova – Soprano

This record set has a two groove event on side three – Act II, Scene 4 that gives two, moderately loud pops, possibly a tonearm drop. I couldn't find it, even in sunlight. Otherwise, the entire opera plays clean and quiet.

The Box Cover for the set is still lustrous and holding up well – NM- or EX+

Katya Kabanova –

Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra – Directed by Charles Mackerras

Recorded at the Sofiensaal, Vienna – December 1976 -

London OSA 12109 – 1977 (2 Lps)

Elisabeth Soderstrom - Petr Dvorsky – Nadezda Kniplova

This two-record set is glossy black & lustrous. It plays clean and quiet to the ear. A true NM.

The cover and enclosures are also in NM state.

The Makropulos Case –

Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra – Directed by Charles Mackerras

Recorded at the Sofiensaal, Vienna – Sept/Oct 1978

London OSA 12116 – 1979 (2 Lps)

Elisabeth Soderstrom - Petr Dvorsky – Beno Blachut

Another clean & quiet record set. NM.

This set was treated with Audio-Technicas “Lifesaver” (anti-static solution).

The cover and enclosures are also in NM state.

This entire lot will be well packed and promptly shipped.

Returns will be accepted within 14 days of delivery.

Return mailing will be the purchaser's responsibility.

This Auction is for the U.S. only, please. Thanks.

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