Credits:

Flury, Richard (1896-1967)

Description:

Richard Fleury is a Swiss composer. After graduation, he studied composition with Joseph Marx and conducting with Felix Weingartner. The opera "Vitalis the Breaking Monk," the last of his four operas, was completed in 1962 and premiered the following year, but was never performed until this recording. Based on the novel of the same title by Swiss author Gottfried Keller, the opera tells the story of Vitalis, who uses every means at his disposal to restore a prostitute to true humanity. The disquiet hidden in the cheerful village life is beautifully portrayed, and Franz Johan Danz's script faithfully reproduces the story. Fleury has given the characters beautiful melodies in solo and chorus, and the orchestra has brought out the colorful sounds of the late Romantic period, making the work a joy to listen to. The performance is by conductor Paul Mann, who devotes himself to the performance of unknown works. The soloists' passionate singing is also a highlight. The booklet includes the German lyrics and their English translations, as well as photos of the 1963 premiere. Naxos Japan