Kollo and Krause Sing the Pearl Fishers Duet

Bizet's opera The Pearl Fishers is all but forgotten except for its thrilling tenor/baritone duet. One of the classic recordings features Jussi Bjoerling and Robert Merrill. But there are many other versions that are well worth hearing. This is one of them. Two of my favourite singers were tenor Rene Kollo and Finnish baritone Tom Krause. Kollo was a Karajan favourite for many years, especially in Wagner roles. I have fond memories of Krause in both opera and concert and in a Liederabend he gave at the St. Lawrence Centre in Toronto. Their performance of the Pearl Fishers duet was done in German in 1981.

Paul E. Robinson