J. Strauss - Die Fledermaus
by Carlos Kleiber, Otto Schenk
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Benno Kusche, Brigitte Fassbaender, Eberhard Wächter, Pamela Coburn, Wolfgang BrendelDirector: Carlos Kleiber, Otto Schenk
Brand: Universal Studios
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); German (Subtitled); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); German (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Original Language); French (Original Language); Mandarin Chinese (Original Language)
Format: Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 155 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-01-11
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Deutsche Grammophon
Movie Reviews of J. Strauss - Die Fledermaus
Movie Review: Excellent staging, singing, acting, orchestra, conducting make this DVD a joy
Summary: 5 Stars
Carlos Kleiber (1930-2004) was often considered the most enigmatic conductor of the post World War II era. The son of noted conductor Erich Kleiber (1891-1956), Carlos never leaned on his father's reputation for fame, but made his own way. Carlos Kleiber disliked the recording process and made very few recordings for commerical labels: Beethoven Symphonies 5 and 7 (DG, Vienna Philhamormonic); Brahms Symphony 4 (DG, Vienna Philharmonic); Schubert Symphonies 3 + 8 (DG, Vienna Philharmonic); Verdi: La Traviata, with Placido Domingo and Ileana Cotrubas (DG, Bavarian State opera); Wagner: Tristan und Isolde (DG, Dresden State Opera); Weber: Der Freischutz (DG, Dresden opera); Strauss: Die Fledermaus (DG, 1975 - different singers than this recording, but with the same orchestra). Most of Kleiber's other recordings are from live concerts on CD or DVD format. There may be as many or more Kleiber recordings on DVD, as in CD medium.
That said, it is nice to have any new Carlos Kleiber recording, and this one is no exception. You can tell from the first bars Kleiber dearly loved this music, and has orchestra and soloists on their toes every measure. The Overture sizzles and crackles, and sparkles with joy and life. The singers are all excellent, although I must confess a reservation about Eberhard Waechter, who here is an excellent comic actor, yet his voice wobbles in sustained passages, and he sounds frantic and strained at times. Pamela Coburn, Janet Perry, Wolfgang Brendel, Franz Muxeneder, Benno Kusche, and Brigitte Fassbaender are all excellent in every way.
I really enjoyed this as a video, especially the Act II Party scene, where the music and flow are very engaging. Brigitte Fassbaender takes a little getting used to as Prince Orlofsky, in this production a trouser role like Cherubino in Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro." But her singng and acting are so fine, I enjoy it thoroughly with repeated view/listenings.
From this DVD, it's easy to see why Johann (II) Strauss's "Die Fledermaus" is his most famous and often performed opera. Like
Rossini's "The Barber of Seville," Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro" or "Cosi fan tutte" it is an everflowing spring of melody, beauty, comedy, and love in a healthy sense of the word.
For audio only "Fledermaus" recordings, I like Carlos Kleiber's 1975 studio recording, with Bernd Weikl, and Hermann Prey (DG, Bavarian State Opera); and Karl Bohm's 1971 Decca recording with Eberhard Wachter in the same role as this DVD, + a stellar cast of Austrian and German singers in the other roles. Bohm may be hard to find in the US, and have to be imported from England, for those interested, but it is 2-for-1 price and well worth the effort.
Summary of J. Strauss - Die Fledermaus
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