Mathis der Maler, Paul Hindemith’s principal stage work, was first presented to the public as a three-movement symphony derived from the score for the opera. That was in March 1934 in Berlin; it was well received. A few months later, Hindemith was attacked in the National-Socialist press which prompted the renowned conductor Wilhelm Furtwängler to spring to his defense in a newspaper article known as The Hindemith Case. The opera itself wasn’t premiered until May 1938, in Zurich, where Hindemith made his base before moving on to the United States. The historical figure of Mathis had found his political engagement in the Peasants’ War when his calling to paint solely for the glory of God conflicted with the religious expectations of the Reformation. Hindemith similarly found himself torn between his refusal to engage in Nazi propaganda, his urge to follow his inner voice, and the demand that he position himself against the regime. This highly acclaimed 2012 performance from the Theater an der Wien, featuring opera star Wolfgang Koch in the title role, is now finally available as a CD release.

‘This was a triumph for the Theater an der Wien.’ – seenandheard-international.com

‘The performance was dominated by Wolfgang Koch’s magnificent assumption of the title role.’ – Das Opernglas

Recording: Vienna, Theater an der Wien, 11.-12.12.2012 (live recording)

Booklet contains articles, complete libretto and translations

Cast:
- Mathis: Wolfgang Koch
- Albrecht von Brandenburg: Kurt Streit
- Lorenz von Pommersfelden: Martin Snell
- Wolfgang Capito: Charles Reid
- Riedinger: Franz Grundheber
- Ursula: Manuela Uhl
- Hans Schwalb: Raymond Very
- Regina: Katerina Tretyakova
- Sylvester von Schaumburg: Oliver Ringelhahn
- Truchsess von Waldburg: Ben Connor
- Gräfin Helfenstein: Magdalena Anna Hofmann
- Der Pfeifer des Grafen: Andrew Owens