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| Strauss: Rosenkavalier | 
| Actors: Schwanewilms, Mori, Luisi
Studio: EUROARTS
Category: DVD
List Price: $39.99
Buy New: $30.94
You Save: $9.05 (23%)
Buy New/Used from $27.16
Avg. Customer Rating:  (2 reviews)
Sales Rank: 68382
Format: Classical, Color, Dolby, Dts Surround Sound, Ntsc
Languages: German (Original Language), German (Unknown), German (Subtitled), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), Japanese (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 212 minutes
Number Of Items: 2
Discs: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
UPC: 880242569189
EAN: 0880242569189
ASIN: B001HBX8PU
Release Date: November 18, 2008
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Medici Arts continues its series of high-class recordings from the world-famous Semperoper in Dresden. Richard Strauss (1864 1949) has, of course, always been a very special favourite at the Dresden Opera because many of his works were premiered there, most famously his Rosenkavalier in 1911. As if the world knew that this was to be the last important opera premiere before civilization broke down in the First World War, the premiere was turned into an event of enormous proportions, with special trains bringing the audience to Dresden to witness the latest cooperation between Strauss and his preferred librettist Hugo von Hofmannsthal (1874-1929). Der Rosenkavalier, despite its nostalgic setting in eighteenth century Vienna, deals with a variety of issues current in the early 20th century. Two of the most obvious were the status of women and the pending collapse of the ruling hierarchy. The authors described the work as a Comedy for Music and the criticism - as in all great social comedies - lies just beneath the surface. With the readings by Ruth Berghaus in Frankfurt and Herbert Wernicke in Salzburg in the 1990s, the piece has definitely lost any sweet rococo icing with which post war stagings might have covered it. Director Uwe Eric Laufenberg, who premiered the present version in 2000, puts himself in that great tradition: with the action taking place after the Second World War, he works out some of the more timeless issues of the work: bittersweet pathos, satirical social criticism and sexual farce as well as multilayered, comic wit and psychological characterization. The top-notch cast is led by Anne Schwanewilms as the Marschallin, Kurt Rydl as Ochs and Anke Vondung as Octavian - all three play roles that have become cornerstones of their repertoire. The orchestra of the Semperoper in Dresden plays the work, which has been a centrepiece of their repertoire ever since its premiere, from the original scores and under the experienced baton of their musical director Fabio Luisi. The recording now available on DVD and Blu-Ray Disc - took place during a tour of the Semperoper company to Japan in November 2007 where they staged this Rosenkavalier to enormous success.
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| Customer Reviews:
A Great Rosenkavalier December 14, 2008
When I first received this set, I put it on ASAP. My initial reaction was less than positive and before I wrote about my feelings I felt that it deserved a second hearing which it received this afternoon.
There were some negative reactions that were not cleared up. First off, the technical aspect. I should admit that I do not have high definition, blue ray, etc. However, at least 98% of my DVD's sound find, e.g., the sound level is satisfactory and the aural pleasure is usually satisfactory. With this performance, however, it is necessary to boost my sound level way beyond where I usually have it. I don't know whether or not this is a good or a bad thing. I don't think it would have detered me from purchasing the set. The only singer whose presence is less than pleasing is Kurt Rydl' Ochs. Rydl's voice is the right weight and his knowledge of the role beyond question. He is, alas, afflicted with a wobble whenever it is necessary to bring up the volumn. Obviously parlando passages are not affected as much and when he is not aiming for volumn the wobble disappears! The only recording I have with him is also Rosenkavlier from Dresden. Recorded around 1989 there is no problem. He is also Hagen in the Audi Gotterdammerung (dating from 1991,I think). There is evidence of it but the role while pivotal is not large and the rest of the singing in the cast is not of a high caliber so that he doesn't stand out.
As regards the staging, even though we are supposedly circa 1950, Vienna, the director would disappoint the Regie oriented. For the women the skirts are long--the Dior "new look"? Even so they are very chic and flattering. Ocktavian in uniform to present the rose could easily have been cast in a conventional production. The first act set is also one (with a few changes, additions) that would have fit in with the same traditional production. No, for "Konzept" you would have to go to the wretched Zurich production (ghastly) or the Carsen production coming from Salzburg; this production in terms of costuming appear to cover the first fifty years of the twentieth century. I find this produdtion fascinating and well sung. Carsen is consistent in his production. The Zurich set has some relatively good singing going for it but the "konzept" is simply irritating. This set does however boast the worst Italian Tenor; admittedly this is niggling point, but when so much is irritating it ends up being one more log to throw on the fire. Oh yes, the presentation of the rose is set in a kitchen!
But onto the singing in this set. The Marschallin is sung by Anne Schwanenwilms. This artist is indeed fortunate; she is blessed with looking good--an undertatement as she is the most beautiful Marie Theres since Schwarzkopf--but she posseses a voice of geat beauty and an intelligence that enables her to create a character with complexity. She also has an inner radiance--innig(?) that is luminous.Her first act monolgue is touching and radiant. The actual voice itself is one of great beauty, soft grained yet not without power. I would dearly love to hear her in Mozart, the Countess, and the Countess in Capriccio. Oddly she came to international noteriety when it was announced that Deborah Voigt (at ROH) was being replaced by Schwanenwilms: reason? the "little black dress"! This was preop bariatric surgery for Ms. Voigt and even though she knew about it for a year she chose to advertise it just prior to this run of Ariadne auf Naxos. Of course there was an immediate outrage for Voigt fans and I assume that Schwanenwilms knew of as well. I suppose Voigt was looking for some revenge, but this was not the right way.
The other major voice is the Ocktavian, Anka Vondung: another German beauty with a creamy warm and luscious voice. She is also in the most recent Cosi Fan Tutte from Glyndebourne--a highly recommended set. While I wish the role had not been co-opted by mezzos (my ideal singers in thie role are Jurinac and Seefried) she has a good top and and the "physique du role" that are ideal. She is an entry into an already crowded field; we are lucky to have so many good mezzos around.
The Sophie is (I assume) a Japanese, Maki Mori. Well sung with a bright, if small, voice.
The orchestra is the Dresdenstaatskappele, one of the great opera orchestras. It is interesting that they have chosen an Italian as their conductor and even though he was born in Genoa much of this work has occurred in central Europe. For those lucky enough to have surround sound having this orchestra is a plus. Even with my caveats I still have to give the set five stars on the basis of the Marschallin and Oktavian; others may not feel similarly inclined.
A Stylish Rosenkavalier December 1, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
In November 2007 the Dresden State Opera spent several weeks in Japan and among the operas they presented was this production of Strauss's 'Der Rosenkavalier'. Certainly the company has a long association with the work, having given its premiere in 1911. Presented at NHK Hall in Tokyo, this performance does not stint on scenery or costumes; it is a full production complete with huge chorus and cast as well as the marvelous Semper Opera orchestra -- aka the Dresden Staatskapelle -- under its new music director Fabio Luisi. Most of the cast is not well known in the US, although the Marschallin -- lyric soprano Anne Schwanewilms -- is growing in renown; her first act Monolog is marvelous as is the final act Trio. She brings dignity and nobility to the part. She is perhaps the best Marschallin I've seen since Elisabeth Soederstroem. The Ochs, Kurt Rydl, has had a long and illustrious career, but he is a bit too crude in his acting and the voice no longer has its former luster. The Italian Singer is Roberto Sacca (I tend to think of him, rather, as Robert Secco); his aria in Act I is not one of the production's highlights. The pants-role of Octavian is portrayed by a mezzo I'd never heard of, Anke Vondung, and she is one of the real stars of this performance. She not only looks the part and has a luscious voice that she uses with musicality, she is also a marvelous actor; there were indeed times when I forgot she was a woman. Sophie is sung by a young and attractive soprano, Maki Mori. She acts well and has a lovely, well-controlled high soprano; she is outstanding both in the Presentation of the Rose Scene and in the final Trio and Duet. The many minor solo parts are nicely done. Special mention needs to be made of Elisabeth Wilke as the Italian schemer, Annina.
The production has lavish sets, props and costumes that are hard to pinpoint as to era. I kept thinking they were meant to be roughly contemporary with the opera's premiere in 1911, but there are a few anachronisms such as the flash-cube camera which surely can't be from earlier than the 1950s. None of this is distracting, however, and the stage direction by Uwe Eric Laufenberg is effective as well as traditional (a plus in my book). His handling of the huge cast in the levee scene is skillful as well as being hilarious. Lighting is effective without calling attention to itself.
Videography, as directed for this DVD by Eji Yoshida, is clear and ungimmicky. There are many close-ups of singers but they are never awkward or inapt. There is more than the usual amount of stage noise but it is easily ignored. The comedic elements are effectively emphasized, yet the dramatic moments, such as the Marschallin's graceful release of Octavian in the final scene, are done without schmaltz.
For a modern filming of a production of this most popular of Strauss's operas this DVD is, in my judgment, one to consider. There are, of course, classic Rosenkavalier DVDs to be had -- with Marschallins such as Kiri te Kanawa, Gwyneth Jones and Felicity Lott -- but they all begin to show their age.
2 DVDs; Running time: 212mins; Format: NTSC - 16:9; Sound: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1; Subtitles: English, German, French, Spanish, Japanese; Region code: 0 (worldwide)
Recommended.
Scott Morrison
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