Wagner: Das Rheingold [DVD Video]

Wagner: Das Rheingold [DVD Video]

Wagner: Das Rheingold [DVD Video]
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DVD Cover Information

Conductor: Herbert von Karajan
Performer: Jeannine Altmeyer; Brigitte Fassbaender; Peter Schre
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: German (Original Language), DTS 5.1; German (Subtitled); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled)
Format: Classical, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 144 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-04-08
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Deutsche Grammophon

Movie Reviews of Wagner: Das Rheingold [DVD Video]

Movie Review: Buy Levine's Instead
Summary: 2 Stars

Levine's Rheingold Wagner - Das Rheingold / Levine, Morris, Jerusalem, Ludwig, Metropolitan Opera (Levine Ring Cycle Part 1) is better than this version in almost every way, despite the fact that it was live as opposed to this one which had every studio trick available at the time at its disposal (and many used). With Levine, the staging is better, the conducting is better, the sound quality is better...pretty much all around better. I specifically reference Levine's because it is the only other "traditional" Rheingold on DVD that I can find. I respect the Karajan Rheingold for its time, but it has quite simply been surpassed. If I could have reviewed this in 1973 I probably would have given it 4 stars, losing out really only for 2 reasons. 1: The conducting is not as interesting as I would like (lack of concept of tension and release) and little things like when Alberich is sneezing the muted instruments that are the orchestral version of onomatopoeia don't come through clearly, and 2: though this is nitpicky, when Fricka sings "Wotan, my husband, wake up!" we instantly see Wotan sitting upright, completely awake, when he should be in half sleep, making his way toward being fully awake so that when Fricka tells him to wake up a minute later it makes sense.

Truly the only thing that this production offers that Levine's doesn't is a faster tempo (though as quick as it can be I cannot call it exciting). If you are among those upset by Levine's sluggish tempos (it has taken me years to learn to appreciate them, truth be told), then this version may be for you after all, but keep in mind the other 3 operas in this production were never made. If a faster pace is really what you're after I might recommend Boulez's version instead. Wagner - Das Rheingold / McIntyre, Zednik, Jerusalem, Salminen, Becht, Schwarz, Boulez, Bayreuth Opera (Boulez Ring Cycle Part 1) Though it is a non-traditional ring it makes perfect sense (at least through Siegfried...I haven't seen it's Gotterdammerung) and at many times feels traditional. And for a great audio-only fast-paced recording of the ring (better than Karajan's and Boulez's in this reviewer's opinion) check out Bohm's. Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen
One more little thing about this (Karajan) production, we actually see Loge transform into flame at the end. A nice touch I have seen nowhere else.

The sound quality is okay...not great. The subtitles are relatively easy to follow but are not as clear as I would like (somewhat slavish translation from German), no worse than the others I've seen.

Also, for a great non-tradition Rheingold, check out Barenboim's. Wagner - Das Rheingold / Tomlinson, Clarke, Holle, Finnie, Johansson, von Kannen, Svenden, Barenboim, Bayreuth Opera.

Levine's, Boulez's and Barenboim's full ring cycles are available as well.
Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen / Levine, Metropolitan Opera (Complete Ring Cycle)
Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen / Pierre Boulez, Bayreuth Opera (Complete Ring Cycle, Parts 1-4)
Der Ring Des Nibelungen
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Summary of Wagner: Das Rheingold [DVD Video]

This 1978 studio production of Das Rheingold, the prologue to The Ring, is the only segment of the famous Salzburg Festival/Metropolitan Opera productions, first seen in the 1960s, that made it to film. For this production Georges Wakhevitch has produced stage settings and transformations that support Karajan's concept with every possible means. Karajan's staging is in the epic style of another age, emphasizing the dignity of the gods rather than their all too human failings. With the singers, foremost among them Peter Schreier, Karajan has an ensemble that fully conforms to his intentions. The production also includes Thomas Stewart as a nobly singing Wotan alongside the grandiose Brigitte Fassbaender as Fricka, a profoundly embittered figure.

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