Berg - Wozzeck
by Rolf Liebermann
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Hans Sotin, Peter Haage, Richard Cassilly, Sena Jurinac, Toni BlankenheimDirector: Rolf Liebermann
Brand: Naxos OF America INC
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Unknown); German (Subtitled); English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); Italian (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); German (Original Language); German (Published)
Format: Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 106 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-04-24
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Arthaus Musik
Movie Reviews of Berg - Wozzeck
Movie Review: A Grabber
Summary: 5 Stars
Ever since I first watched one of Petr Weigl's opera/movies I have been a fan of that type of treatment -- when it is done well. For example, a major problem is lip-synching, but this can easily be taken care of by having the actors sing on set while the sound track is playing. The freedom of the setting and camera treatment add a new dimension. There have been many extremely successful movie versions: in addition to those of Weigl, there are, for example, Ponnelle's "Rigoletto", Karajan's "Pag & Cav", Simerda's "The Greek Passion" to name but a few.
I have often wondered what goes on in the imagination of composers and librettists. My suspicion is that they "see" their production very much as a movie, in the real world -- such as in a well crafted movie.
All this preamble leads me to this "Wozzeck". Everything seemed so right about the cinematic treatment. I felt that I was there. Mind you, by the end I wish I wasn't. This is one powerful production. It grabbed and held me from beginning to end. It is very moving and unforgettable. If this is what you are looking for in an opera, do not miss this production.
December 4 2010
My review above is all too short. Since I wrote more at length about this first rate production in my review of Calixto Bieito's production, I thought that I should copy it here.
I have read about Calixto Bieito, and have long wanted to sample his work. Since there are only two of his productions out in DVD, and one was resoundingly panned (Don Giovanni); and since Wozzeck is a wonderful opera, I bought this. I now have 4 DVD's of Wozzeck, two of which I will probably not watch again.
Unfortunately, I made the mistake of having another look at the Rolf Liebermann film of Wozzeck before this arrived and that certainly coloured my impression of the Bieito production -- unfavourably.
Bieito's production is limited to a stage; but he handles the limitations very well to cope with this episodic opera. He uses lighted segments of a darkened stage, several levels, and a lowered container-home for Wozzeck and Marie (with a small patch of grass as a contrast to everything else). The set is "a maze of industrial tubes, recalling innards exposed in a sliced-open abdomen, a symbol of the environment of contamination -- both physical and mental in which [Wozzeck] is struggling to survive." (--from the notes) The action is taken out of the military and moved into the world of industry with interchangeable extras in orange jump suits (not all that original or effective to warrant moving away from the composer's concept). And pretty much everyone is deranged from the start. Unfortunately from my point of view, that includes Wozzeck himself. So the whole world is mad and where can one go from there? It is almost as though Bieito is following the old Hollywood dictum of "start with an explosion and build from there". Maybe, as Mr. Padillo writes in his review, the naked cast advancing towards the audience can be seen as a purification of sorts, but in the final scene the child of Wozzeck and Marie is apparently stoned and left alone as the curtain falls. "Hop hop."
There are, however two great positives. First is the orchestral music. Sebastian Weigl has done a superb job controlling the orchestra through all the different moods and modes. The second is, perhaps a mixed blessing. Angela Denoke is a wonder in her spirited acting and singing. She is seemingly the only sane person on stage making do as best she can, although her mostly optimistic spirit is at odds with everything else. Maybe that is what Bieito wanted, because it makes her mechanical killing by Wozzeck so horrible. So, perhaps 3 stars.
Now I realise that it is unfair to do a critique of a production and compare it to another, but this is a DVD and others are available. I am sure that had I seen this in the theatre I would have come out raving with enthusiasm. It is a powerful production. But I did watch the Liebermann film just before and cannot help myself.
Being a film, there is a great liberation from set constraints. The filming was done in an old castle and buildings in Southern Germany. It is stark and real. Each of the scenes takes place in a real setting and there is movement from one to the other giving momentum and continuity to what is going on. I think that this is important and emphasises what to me is the weakness of Bieito's over-the-top set. His has nothing for contrast (other than perhaps Ms. Denoke). Whereas here, it looks as though things should be normal -- and it is certainly not. No wonder Wozzeck starts off puzzled and is gradually driven mad. It is the steady progression the assaults on him and his deterioration which makes the horror of the end all the more moving. And then when one adds in the misty, lonely, but peaceful setting for Marie's murder, and Wozzeck's slow walk to his death into the lake, it is almost too much. Needless to say the photography is excellent. Rolf Liebermann wrote in his autobiography that this was his favourite filmed opera. Little wonder.
To conclude, therefore: If you only will buy one Wozzeck, get the Liebermann version. However they are so different that I would recommend both, if for no other reason to see how much the Bieito interpretation fails in contrast.
Summary of Berg - Wozzeck
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