This vibrant new recording of his charming single act Singspiel is a fitting tribute to Mozart. Der Schauspieldirektor (or The Impressario) provides such lively characters and images that performances in the concert hall and on record work quite well.
It is probably too short to fill an entire program or evening and has too many parts (i.e. is too expensive). Fact is that this treasure is hardly ever performed and not very well known. This recording might fill a gap in many record collections. Because it is Mozart; because it is a very nice piece, because the performance is most enjoyable.
With Mathieu Carriere as the Direktor (spoken part) and soprano Catriona Smith as Madame Herz (sung part). With excellent timing versatile conductor Nicoll Matt guides his many soloists and the European Chamber Soloists through this entertaining score.