Heroism and Finesse Missing in This ‘Freischutz’

WEBER: “Der Freischutz.” Karita Mattila, Eva Lind, Francisco Araiza, Ekkehard Wlaschiha, Kurt Moll; Rundfunkchor Leipzig; Staatskapelle Dresden, conducted by Sir Colin Davis. Phillips 426 319 (two CDs). Davis’ brooding, monumentally scaled conducting goes right to the heart of this German Romantic milestone, one that has never found great favor with the American public. However, Phillips’ casting does not consistently fill that evocative framework with the necessary combination of heroism and finesse. Only Wlaschiha’s edgy, black-toned Kaspar and Moll’s comforting Hermit come near satisfying Weber’s requirements. Both Araiza’s Max and Mattila’s Agathe push modest instruments to the point of strain, while her soprano fails to endow her two big arias with exquisitely modulated colors. Despite direction by August Everding, the dialogue seems as wearisome as ever.