Vienna State Opera Gala Concert / Domingo, Terfel, Gruberova, Urmana, Hampson, Baltsa, Kirchschlager, Polaski, Struckmann, Schade, Furlanetto
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Actor: Christian Thielemann, Seiji Ozawa, Zubin MehtaBrand: Naxos OF America INC
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: German (Unknown); English (Unknown); French (Unknown); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language); German (Original Language); French (Original Language)
Format: AC-3, Classical, Color, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 108 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-02-21
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Euroarts
DVD Reviews of Vienna State Opera Gala Concert / Domingo, Terfel, Gruberova, Urmana, Hampson, Baltsa, Kirchschlager, Polaski, Struckmann, Schade, Furlanetto
DVD Review: Stupendous! What a Gala!
Summary: 5 Stars
What a treat to get a 2-set DVD from the Vienna State Opera for the 50th Anniversary of the Reopening of the Opera House after it was destroyed by Allied Troops during the bombing of the city in World War II. I myself am very tired of Metropolitan Opera DVD releases (especially if Domingo is singing the tenor role, like are there anyone else? Though I am thinking of purchasing Verdi's LUISA MILLER with Renata Scotto,SANS the yelling audience member). Before you hurl your flaming spears at me, I like Mr. Domingo and he has been a tremendous asset in the world of opera but must he sing in every opera video release??? I digress.
Going back to this wonderful DVD. The sound,video quality,direction is gorgeous and opera video director Brian Large has outdone himself again. I posted a review on Opera-L about a few days after I received my delivery, somewhere late Sept. 2006.
Highlights for me:
1. The energetic conducting of Seiji Ozawa, the current musical director of the famed opera company particularly in the overture to Beethoven's FIDELIO, an opera I hold dear, since it addresses universal themes of liberty,fraternity and all that good stuff. I get goose bumps listening to the Soldier's Chorus and Leonore's upbeat singing. I was most fortunate to see Maestro Ozawa in Paris in November 1999 conducting at the Palais Garnier , the horrific yet beautiful opera of Poulenc, DIALOGUES DES CARMELITES (it was, oui, in French and what a treat to hear in the city and country of its native tongue).
2. La Prima Donna Assoluta of the House, Madame EDITA GRUBEROVA with that fantabulous diva gown of black satin with a lovely train (I am a fashionista but for the life of me, cannot fully and correctly describe in detail but will make attempts). The bodice has this plunging-like decoration of the decolletage of different colored sparkling jewels. Her rendition of Mozart's 'Non mi dir' from DON GIOVANNI, left me breathless. At her "ahem" certain biological age and state, she can float those notes so heavenly and a voice projection that is stately. Brava!
3. Violeta Urmana singing the Third Act Nile Scene from Verdi's AIDA in her "violent"<g> and fierce-looking red satin gown and hon, it is thick and heavy and befitting for a big Gala with all those knowledgeable and rich Viennese looking at ya. I hope she can be our brand-new production of AIDA in Houston,Texas this April/May 20067, but oh well, she is very busy . I love her voice, heard her live in San Francisco in the French DON CARLO doing Eboli 3 years ago (her mezzo years). Her careful and exquisite treatment to the soft passages, particularly, reminiscing about her beloved Ethiopia with its lush forests and flowing rivers (one wonders which Ethiopia the Great Verdi had in mind or the librettist). Anyway, love it!
4. This gal, the Zerlina in the Don Giovanni segment,ILDIKO RAIMONDI (any relation to the other singer?)with her strong,bright and engaging sound. Plus, a stage presence that can stand with bigwigs like Ferrucio Furlanetto singing his signature role of Leporello and Thomas Hampson as DON GIOVANNI. As we say in the South, you go GURL!
5.Anything and everything that German conductor CHRISTIAN THIELEMANN does,for me, is like MANNA FROM HEAVEN (okay, okay, I will behave). I was lucky enough to be at the Met for the DIE FRAU OHNE SCHATTEN, a sold out run if memory serves me right, 4 or 5 years ago and I cannot believe what my ears fed back to me. Overwhelming great sound he coaxed out from the Mighty Met Orchestra. Unbelievable. Listen and watch the Met ARABELLA (with Kiri Te Kanawa) on DVD and it is EXQUISITE. We will be so lucky if he travels to sub-tropical climates like the Bayou City to conduct. The Overture to Richard Wagner's comedy, DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NURNBERG, was grand,glorious, yet NIMBLE and flowing freely. Terrific. Also, Bryn Terfel as Hans Sachs is wonderful. Now I hope he doesn't jump into more Wotan roles yet. Build it up man.
6.The Chorus of the Vienna State Opera is a great jewel in the cultural crown of Vienna as well as its beloved Vienna Philharmonic, world-famous of course and yet it doubles as an opera band for the company even though it is already 'muy' busy with its orchestral and symphonic gigs.
7. Other stuff, like Agnes Baltsa singing Amneris was brave and full of raw energy (I don't care if they scream a bit since the role calls for such emotion and passion in the Judgement Scene of Verdi's opera); mezzo Christa Ludwig in white with fur trim supporting and acting as main cheerleader to the singers after they perform; I briefly saw Gundula Janowitz, but I only know her in oratorio and sacred music; yes, Placi was there, still looking dapper and singing good,etc.,etc. Congrats to the Vienna State Opera for another milestone (50 years post re-building, and more years of music and stuff) and,
8. Last but not the least, the Trio from Strauss's ROSENKAVALIER (Kirschlager as Octavian,Isokoski as the Marschallin and Genia Kuhmeier as Sophie) was okay BUT then I have heard such heavenly trios and duets from previous Met Radio broadcasts like the 1986 one with Kathleen Battle as Sophie,Tatiana Troyanos as Octavian and Gwyneth Jones as the Feldmarschallin so it is soooo hard to FUMIGATE the lovely echoing notes that have resided out of my mind. I call it the CALLAS SYNDROME. You listen to her "La Mamma Morta" from Andrea Chenier and you will never ever want to hear another soprano sing that. Same with Norma,Lucia,or even TURANDOT. I've ranted and raved much, forgive me and with thanks for reading this review.
BUY IT, support the production of opera DVD's, so we don't have to travel and spend lots of money. Thanks.
VS
p.s.- I hope more good opera DVD releases from Europe come out. I wonder who will be the videotaped Radames in the new La Scala AIDA. Did Roberto Alagna come back? I haven't been in touch with the local grapevine lately.
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Description of Vienna State Opera Gala Concert / Domingo, Terfel, Gruberova, Urmana, Hampson, Baltsa, Kirchschlager, Polaski, Struckmann, Schade, Furlanetto
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