Stravinsky - Oedipus Rex
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Movie Reviews of Stravinsky - Oedipus Rex
Movie Review: simply superb!
Summary: 5 Stars
Gifted director/designer Julie Taymor apparently secures one amazing success after another, and this arresting production is surely one of her supreme creations! Adapting the conventions of the seventeenth-century opera-oratorio, Stravinsky's 1927 score marks the beginning of his neoclassical period, with absolute command of both orchestral writing and dramatic intensity. It's interesting that Stravinsky's stated reason for choosing Latin for the score's libretto - '(it) had the great advantage of giving me a medium not dead but turned to stone, and so monumentalised as to have become immune from any risk of vulgarisation' - is precisely that offered by the Roman Church as the reason for her codification of Latin as its liturgical language (before the desacralisation of the Roman liturgy by neo-modernist barbarians). In fact, Cocteau's libretto was translated from French to Latin by the Jesuit (later Cardinal) Jean Danielou. The impersonality of the text/poem itself has the adroit effect of freezing dramatic consequence to the point of white heat, intuitively heightening the entire drama, something Stravinsky no doubt foresaw and is, interestingly, the key facet out of which Taymor vividly draws unerring pathos. The design of this production is like nothing else! That being said, the singing is magnificent - Jessye Norman, Philip Landridge and Bryn Terfel all in rare and perfect form, Norman especially, with her leonine face and voice delivers a riveting Jocasta in the performance of a career, something all the more shocking given the princely Impersonal so deliberately embedded by Stravinsky in the score itself. Norman and Ozawa have often worked together to wonderful effect (their recording of Carmen comes to mind), and the elucidation of detail he draws from the Saito Kinen Orchestra is astonishing at every turn. This is a piece impossible to completely absorb in one read through, but repeated viewings easily yield its greatness, and the DVD bonus extras are a vital part of reaping every ounce of the greatness of this superb production. Highest recommendation.Movie Review: At a loss for words
Summary: 5 Stars
Not much to say...I'm simply stunned and speechless, in agreement with the most extreme of all you enthusiasts. I just found this DVD up here in the Mexican High Sierra, and I can hardly express my delight with it. I'm in the classical music world, and really know what a valuable thing Julie Taynor has done for every creative soul: from Sophocles, Cocteau, e.e.cummings and Stravinsky, to all the people she's inspired in the concept of this "oratorio". As Jessye Norman says; she felt she was co-creating with Taynor, something that brought out the best in her. Already a goddess, that's saying something.
The DVD production is A-1, and as Julie and Jessye suggest: turn off the subtitles (you know the story) and just let the magic - the dancing, the sets, the costumes, the acting, and above all Stravinsky's powerful music, transport you back to a time when human beings were the playthings of the gods, and when the rational mind had not yet destroyed our imaginative capacities.
Buy this production NOW before it disappears. You just never know.
Movie Review: A different interpretation
Summary: 5 Stars
Strawinsky, Igor - Oedipus Rex (1994)
This is cross posted with other Igor Strawinsky films however it is only a review of Oedipus Rex (1994).
A different interpretation
This film is actually a 1992 made for TV film. You really have to like this sort of unique interpretation. So the rating is for those that do. Just do not expect Irene Papas "Elektra" (1962).
Sung in Latin, spoken in Japanese.
Opera-Oratio in two acts.
Oedipus - Philip Langride
Jocasta - Jessye Norman
Creon - Bryn Terfel
Oedipus Dancer - Min Tanaka
Tokyo Opera Singers
Shinyu-Kai Chorus
Saito Kinen Festival Dancers
Saito Kinen Orchestra
Stage-Director - Julie Taymor
Sculptures and masks by Julie Taymor
Runtime: 58 min
Movie Review: Absolutely brilliant.
Summary: 5 Stars
Oedipus Rex is probably my favorite of Stravinsky's works (which is obviously saying a lot), and Julie Taymor's production enriches the opera in every conceivable way. On one hand, it may not be totally true to the distance and austerity Stravinsky originally had in mind, but Taymor strikes a perfect balance with her reserved yet extremely artistic staging. She draws emotion from the work that is obviously present, no matter what Stravinsky may have maintained!
The cast is great, Ozawa and the musicians interpret the music well...I could go on and on. Thank goodness they finally released this on DVD...I'm replacing my bootleg VHS version!
Movie Review: The Best in Opera
Summary: 5 Stars
Frankly, I have never seen a more riveting opera. It's so wonderful and full of symbolism and imagery that will blow your mind! Julie Taymor's design and ingenuity truly rules the stage.
Also, if the imagery is a bit unclear after you watch it, the part in JULIE TAYMOR: PLAYING WITH FIRE about this opera is a good tool. It will explain everything and make it all the richer.
PS It's also quite short-only about 57 minutes, so anyone over age 12 will be able to enjoy it. (any younger than that, they may not be able to appreciate all the imagery)