R. Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos
by Filippo Sanjust, John Vernon
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Edita Gruberova, Gundula Janowitz, Karl Böhm, René Kollo, Trudeliese SchmidtDirector: Filippo Sanjust, John Vernon
Brand: Universal Studios
Writer: Richard Strauss
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Unknown), Mono; English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); German (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); Mandarin Chinese (Subtitled); German (Original Language)
Format: DTS Surround Sound, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 127 minutes
Published: 2011-10-24
DVD Release Date: 2008-01-08
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Deutsche Grammophon
Movie Reviews of R. Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos
Movie Review: At long last, an Ariadne without a weak link
Summary: 5 Stars
Ariadne auf Naxos is one of my all-time favorite operas, but part of me was a bit skeptical of this video. It sounded too good to be true. Gundula Janowitz, Edita Gruberova, Rene Kollo, and Walter Berry all in one video? With the venerable Karl Bohm waving the stick.
Well, don't hesitate, because in my opinion this is *the* Ariadne to own! The Met video has Jessye Norman in her brief but glorious prime, and Tatiana Troyanos, but it also has a hopelessly over-the-hill and overparted James King, and the too cutesy and overparted Kathleen Battle. Before this film had only existed in a terrible-looking telecast. But DG has really cleaned up the video. As mentioned in the review above, yes there are problems. The film was based on the sensational production in Vienna in 1976. The director made little effort to "open up" the film. As a result, it is somewhat static, and has all the earmarks of a stage production hastily transported to film. Lip-synching is a bit of a problem, as is often the case. But the production is nice and picturesque, particularly the "opera" part. The director had enough faith in the singers to let them just "do their thing," without adding any unnecessary stage business.
Now to the singing. Gundula Janowitz is probably my favorite Ariadne - her silvery voice and elegant presence made her *the* Strass soprano of her generation. In my opinion, her voice is more beautiful than Elisabeth Schwarzkopf's, although Janowitz isn't quite as funny as Schwarzkopf in the Prologue. (Schwarzkopf does a wicked imitation of Lilli Lehmann, decorating the music with dramatic swoops). But most of all Janowtiz makes Ariande human, vulnerable, and touching. Rene Kollo does the best he can with the thankless part of Bacchus. Trudelise Schmidt is the least known member of the cast, but she's not bad as the Komponist at all. And then there's Edita Gruberova. Her initial performances in London were such a sensation that even the famously crusty Karl Bohm applauded her in the pit. Since then, Zerbinetta has been her trademark role. She adopts an "anything you can do, I can do better" attitude. "Grossmachtige Prinzessin" is truly stunning -- she nails every trill, every high E, every staccato scale, and does this all with a "look ma, this is a piece of cake" brio. Facially she is less glamorous and "cute" looking than Kathleen Battle in the Met video, but she has a warm and bubbly presence. Her Zerbinetta is just FUN.
If you love Ariadne (and most opera lovers do) get this video! Don't hesitate!
Summary of R. Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos
STRAUSS:ARIADNE AUF NAXOS - DVD MovieRichard Strauss?s Ariadne auf Naxos premiered in 1916, was something new, a startling blend of comedy and tragedy, both a frothy entertainment and a serious dip into the big issues--life, death, art, and love. It succeeds as a musical and theatre experience, especially in a production as respectful of the composer?s intentions as this one, which more than fulfills his considerable musical demands on the performers. Strauss and his librettist, Hugo von Hoffmannsthal, fuse the tale of an opera company and a team of comedians hired to provide entertainment for a dinner party at the palatial home of Vienna?s "richest man." The two groups of artists are forced at the last moment to combine their incompatible talents in a hastily rewritten opera which follows the Prologue--the familiar story of Ariadne abandoned by Theseus on the Greek island. This DVD of Ariadne is a 1978 film based on Filippo Sanjust?s Vienna State Opera production. The bustling Prologue is set in the backstage area of the mogul?s palace and the 18th century costumes fit neatly. In the opera proper, the stage is transformed into a very stagey desert island with an improbable set of stairs leading to the heroine?s cave, the action spilling over into the theatre?s side boxes at times. While there?s nothing particularly imaginative about the production, it never distracts from the main event--the music. Strauss was profligate in his melodic gifts, his ability to make a reduced orchestra sound big, and his wonderful obsession with the female voice, which yields many glorious moments in the opera. Lavish casting helps.
Gundula Janowitz is the prima donna who sings the title role, her fresh voice and musicality make her lament moving, but the coloratura soprano, Edita Gruberova, all but steals the show as Zerbinetta, providing both singing and acting splendor. Her coloratura is flawless, the trills in the aria "Grossmächtige Prinzessin," effortless. The harassed Composer, seen only in the Prologue, is Trudeliese Schmidt, whose singing is first-rate and whose acting in the pants role suits the part admirably, the veritable archetype of the ardent, impetuous artist. Among the men, veteran Walter Berry is a fine Musicmaster, the voice of reason amid all the madcap goings-on, while the comedians are a feisty bunch with good voices. Special mention is due baritone Barry McDaniel?s Harlequin and lyric tenor Heinz Zednik?s Dancing Master (in the Prologue) and Brighella. The role of Bacchus is a thankless part and if René Kollo is sometimes stiff and blustery, so too, are most tenors in that role. Pacing and orchestral playing could not be bettered as the Vienna Philharmonic is led by the great Strauss conductor, Karl Böhm. John Vernon?s video direction is efficient, but his discreet use of fades and tight closeups may strike some as too much of a good thing. Filmed to a prerecorded soundtrack, lip-synching is smoothly done. There?s a fine 1988 MET production led by James Levine with Jessye Norman and a similarly starry cast, but you can?t go wrong with either--or both--of these versions of Strauss?s opera. -- Dan Davis
Ariadne auf Naxos is an all-regions DVD in color and 4:3 ratio. Sound options include PCM Stereo and DTS 5.1 Surround. Sung in German with subtitles in English, French, Spanish, and Chinese.
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