Strauss: Arabella
by Otto Schenk
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Bernd Weikl, Edita Gruberova, Gundula Janowitz, René Kollo, Sona GhazarianDirector: Otto Schenk
Brand: Uni
Composer: Richard Strauss
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Original Language); French (Original Language); German (Original Language); Italian (Original Language); Spanish (Original Language); Mandarin Chinese (Original Language); Chinese (Subtitled); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); German (Subtitled); Italian (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled)
Format: AC-3, Classical, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled, Surround Sound
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 150 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-05-13
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Decca
Movie Reviews of Strauss: Arabella
Movie Review: Glorious performance of Strauss's opera
Summary: 5 Stars
Waldner: Hans Kraemmer
Adelaide: Margarita Lilowa
Arabella: Gundula Janowitz
Zdenka: Sona Ghazarian
Mandryka: Bernd WEikl
Matteo: Rene Kollo
Elemer: Goran Franssom
Dominik: Hans Helm
Lamoral: Kurt Rydl
Eine Fortuna: Martha Modl
Fiakermilli: Edita Gruberova
Vienna Philharmonic, Georg Solti
Directed by Otto Schenk
It's a "most ingenious paradox" that Roger Pines in The Opera Quarterly, and David Hamilton, of The Metropolitan Opera Guide to Opera on Video had completely dissenting reactions to all of the Arabellas on video. Pines preferred the MET video by far with Te Kanawa, had reservations about the Schenk film; and found Della Casa self-indulgent, mannered and fussy. Hamilton on the other hand, found Te Kanawa lacking, and was so-so about the MET DVD; really liked the Schenk movie, and was rather neutral about Della Casa and that release.
I happen to like all three, for different reasons; but they all do justice to Strauss's opera.
This movie has its limitations: it's lip-synched, but done unsually well. Some of the camerawork is claustrophobic and too-close. But overall it is a simply gorgeous, moving film.
The director of photography, the always-artistic Wolfgang Treu, captures a nostalgic, amber-colored atmosphere, with rich palettes, and a sinuous, warm tone. It looks to me like the time has been pushed up to the Arte Nouveau-Arts-and-Crafts Fin de Siecle era, and it works beautifully. The sets are eloquent, earthy and comfortingly inviting. It abets the score and story most fetchingly.
The key to this movie is both of a familial and romantic warmth. 1977 was a second Golden Age in Vienna for Strauss, and here it is in all its glory.
This movie, which I first had on LaserDisc some 20 years ago, has been remastered in video and audio, and is better than ever in both respects. But what a cast!
This movie was the first time I had seen Gundula Janowitz as a performer at length. I understood why, even if for a brief period, she was so highly regarded. I'd say this film captures her at her most sympathetic and inviting. What I was not prepared for at the time was the sheer beauty of her singing in "Aber der Richtige," a melody that won me over immediately. It is an exquisite rendering, consummately sung. Janowitz herself has never looked more appealing than she does here, flatteringly coiffed, gowned, and made up. Her characteristic, slightly horsey denticulation somehow has been transcended. I have the Bernstein Fidelio, and she's overparted there, vocally and dramatically, and not really convincing; the recent release of the Bohm/Sanjust Ariadne film is better, but this Arabella, lyrically, rather than heroically written, finds her at her most congenial. You will not find her warmer or more ravishing than here. She is not always natural as captured on film, a bit awkward at times, and there's that Teutonic reserve; but that is actually rather appealing; she's not hogging the camera, and when she smiles, it is disarming. A triumph, I'd say, for a singer who's perceived as being rather chilly.
Most importantly, she has a suitable rapport with Bernd Weikl, an absolutely perfectly cast Mandryka. Vocally, histrionically, and physically, he is the Mandryka of ideal. Their scenes together are captivating.
The final, summing up of the story is wonderfully done.
The Lebanese soprano Sona Ghazarian is a bit pressed on high as Zedenka, but she's got a marvelous presence, highly appealing, and has particulary expressive eyes.
Rene Kollo's high-strung vocal manner and intensity works well for Matteo.
The parents, Hans Kraemmer and Margarita Lilowa, are perfect.
Edita Gruberova's drunken, floozie Fiakermilli is an absolute hoot: she provides edge, comic relief and wit to a role, all full of yodels and merry caterwauls, that is normally annoying; here, this Nouveau-era Material Girl provides the fun and glitter in the big party scene.
Solti and the Vienna Phil. The conductor, far more relaxed than on his commercial recording, makes the orchestra sing with the lushest of sounds.
This movie, now 31 years old, gives you the best of the second Golden Age of Vienna.
Summary of Strauss: Arabella
A classic, historic and faithful account of Strauss s comedy of manners, the only film version available of this opera. Subtitles available: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, ChineseMusic Video & Concerts DVD Video
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