Arias from: Aida, La Boheme, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, Andrea Chenier, Sosarme, Serse, Nozze di Figaro, Die Zauberflöte, Der Freichütz, Lohengrin, Tannhauser, Otello. Songs by: Flies, Schubert, Grieg, Loewe, Mendelssohn Tchaikovsky, Gounod, Massenet, Korshat, Braga, Hildach, Schumann, Taubert, Jensen, Rubenstein, Lassen, Griffes, Densmore, Cadman, Bishop, Traditional.

Romophone 81012-2 (2 CDs) 46 tracks (3 unpublished titles), 2 hours and 38 minutes

Born in 1894, Elizabeth Rethberg made her debut in Dresden in 1915.  By her 1922 arrival in America and the Metropolitan Opera, she had performed such varied roles as Constanza (Entfuhrung), Aida, Eva (Meistersinger), Sophie (Rosenkavalier), Tosca, Leonora (Trovatore), the Empress (Frau Ohne Schatten), and, in 1928 created the title role in Strauss' Aegyptische Helena.  Rethberg remained with the Met until her retirement in 1942.

Elizabeth Rethberg represents a particular type of perfection in the art of operatic singing and these recordings, made in her thirties, explain why.  A superb musician, Rethberg's voice was a well-schooled, beautifully equalized, and finely-spun, lyrical instrument.  It was governed by instinctive musicianship and an unfussy delivery that to this day remains refreshing for its directness.  Although labeled the "successor" to Emmy Destinn, Rethberg had the finer instrument and smoother technique albeit a less powerful, penetrating, or idiosyncratically interesting voice.  Admittedly, there is a curious lack of distinguishing personality in much of Rethberg's singing, but, like most beautiful voices, the emphasis on tonal and technical purity offers its own merits.  In her youth, Rethberg had the resources to sing dramatic roles, but her decision to incorporate them into her repertoire took its toll.  Her strength was in full-throated lyricism not fierce dramaticism, so her vocal decline was premature.

Despite disappointing repertoire choices, Rethberg's Brunswick recordings are important.  Coming between the Odeons and the Victors, they affirm (and remind us) that a singer offering beauty of voice, refined technique and simplicity of delivery provides a valid artistic statement sufficient in itself.

It is unfortunate, therefore, that only 16 different operatic selections were chosen to be recorded by Brunswick.  For more adventurous repertoire one must turn to the other companies.  (Actually, considering Rethberg's wide repertoire, the recorded operatic selections are surprisingly ordinary.)

There are, however, some wonderful things here.  There is the classically lyric "O patria mia" from Aida, with its gentle high C.  But there is also a surprisingly intense "Ritorna vincitor" (1924 version), and I am also partial to the Chenier aria.  It may lack the grand theatrics we are now accustomed to, but oh my, how beautifully it is sung.  The Handel arias show Rethberg's poised sculpting of legato lines, while those from Lohengrin and Tannhauser are models of their kind for the superb contrast of smooth, lyrical, pianissimo singing and clean declamatory phrasing.  Although both Tosca and Butterfly are tame in involvement, Mimi's hackneyed monologue from Boheme is given one of the loveliest and most sensitive performances on early disc.  I also returned time and again to the Jensen and Lassen songs to experience Rethberg's exquisite handling of the high pianissimo phrases, and the Mendelssohn, Grieg and Schumann for their unfettered lyricism.  Rethberg's fluidity can be sampled in Loewe's charming "Canzonetta," and the easy trills of the Densmore.

Ward Marston, in charge of the restorations, has worked his typical aural magic - providing remarkably vivid sound (the Brunswicks are notoriously difficult) and the ever interesting John Steane provides insightful commentary on the recordings.  Like other Romophone sets, it is attractively packaged and well researched - perfect for both home and public libraries.  Elizabeth Rethberg was a great artist and a comprehensive release of her work has long been overdue.  Romophone is to be congratulated and thanked for releasing her Brunswick catalogue.