Berg: Wozzeck, Op. 7 (Live)

Woyzeck, playwright Georg Büchner’s disturbing tale of victimization, despair, and madness, forms the basis for one of the 20th century’s most important operas. Composer Alban Berg combines post-Romantic tonality and serialism in music that foams with character, bringing Wozzeck’s horrific drama to devastating life. This live performance from 2013 has been vibrantly recorded to reveal the astounding complexities and depths of the orchestral score—listen to the richness of the strings. The singers are all superb, although soprano Anne Schwanewilms paints Marie’s cruelty in particularly vivid colors. An arresting drama from start to finish.