This is an odd coupling since Helge Roswaenge and Hilde Konetzni never were a stage and recording duo that would justify joining them on this Legacy reissue disc. Konetzni fans, if such there be, will welcome hitching her wagon to the more popular Roswaenge, though. Along with her sister, the Wagnerian dramatic soprano Anny Konetzni, she had a successful career centered on the Vienna State Opera. Hilde’s heard in four selections from 1937–a shaky “Abscheulicher” from Fidelio, a rather nice “Leise, leise” from Der Freischütz, and interesting versions of Elizabeth’s big arias from Tannhäuser. Overall, she leaves an uneven impression, with an admirably soaring top but a way of thinning the tone in places and breaking the line to breathe, an effect noticeable in the voice’s fragility at phrase endings, as if she’s having trouble sustaining tone. Given her acclaim in roles such as the Rosenkavalier Marschallin, this simply could reflect an off-day in the recording studio or could be an artifact of the transfers.
Roswaenge, of course, is a more familiar singer whose prolific recording career has been amply documented on disc. His 10 tracks, recorded in 1932-33, comprise almost two-thirds of the disc and capture him in his youthful prime: the voice fresh and bold, the high notes by which tenors live or die, thrustful and ringing, the phrasing expressive. So there’s much to enjoy here, beginning with a pair of enchanting arias from Die Meistersinger, including one of the better renditions of Walther’s “Prize Song” on disc. Oddly, the rest of the Roswaenge tracks are from the French and Italian repertory, including a moving “Nium mi tema” from Otello, a strong “Celeste Aida”, and a tenderly lyric “Ah! fuyez, douce image” from Massenet’s Manon. He brings a lovely legato to Meyerbeer’s “O paradis” from L’Africaine. Recorded a month after the Nazis came to power, it must have been one of the last recordings of Meyerbeer made in Germany until after the war. Most Roswaenge reissues date from the late 1930s or early 1940s, so it’s good to have these earlier mature examples of his heroic yet warm singing. For Roswaenge buffs, there’s also Preiser 89201, an indispensable two-disc set of arias made in 1928-29, helping to complete the picture of a thrilling singer.
