|
|
List Price: $24.98 Amazon.com's Price: $15.97 You Save: $9.01 (36%)Prices subject to change. Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping.
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: DVD EAN: 0044007300596 Format: Classical, Color, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC Label: Deutsche Grammophon Languages: Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon MPN: 073005 Number Of Discs: 2 Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: Deutsche Grammophon Release Date: June 19, 2001 Running Time: 178 minutes Studio: Deutsche Grammophon Theatrical Release Date: 1995 Editorial Review: Amazon.com: Criticizing Richard Strauss for composing melodically enduring operas is as pointless as lambasting Vermeer for painting only exquisite interior scenes. Those who say Strauss never improved on Rosenkavalier may be right, but when such beguiling sounds kept coming from his music for the next 30 years of his life, there shouldn't be any quibbles. Arabella follows a woman who cannot make up her mind on a suitor and, like most Strauss operas, ends with a meltingly lovely duet. Taped at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1994 under the baton of conductor Christian Thielemann, this production features Kiri Te Kanawa in the title role; her acting is mediocre, but vocally she never forces anything and at least sounds like the perfect Arabella. Wolfgang Brendel does well with Mandryka, who finally ends up with Arabella, and Marie McLaughlin as Zdenka makes a sympathetic younger sister to the heroine. Otto Schenk's production is sturdily conservative, the video transfer is acceptable if unspectacular, and the sound mix is CD-quality. --Kevin Filipski Description: Cast list Kiri Te Kanawa: Arabella Wolfgang Brendel: Mandryka Marie McLaughlin: Zdenka David Kuebler: Matteo Helga Dernesch: Adelaide Donald McIntyre: Count Waldner Charles Workman: Count Elemer Kim Josephson: Count Dominik Julien Robbins: Cound Lamoral Natalie Dessay: The Fiakermilli Jane Shaulis: A fortuneteller Metropolitan Opera and Chorus, Christian Thielemann, conductor Average Rating:
 Rating: - star-studdedi've never seen so many big names in one opera before ; also, nathalie dessay has a little role in act II, but that's not really highlighted ; it's definitely a must-have for anyone who wants 2 hours of not stop beautiful music Rating: - A Wonderful PerformanceEarlier criticism of Strauss was that he was washed up after his earlier operatic successes. Fortunately all post WWII performances of the later works have proved this silly generalization wrong. Arabella is a case in point. I suppose for non-German speaking auditors the arioso/recitative style that is common to much the later Strauss is perhaps the greatest hurtle to overcome. And the rewards are many for those that stick with this score. This performance is superb. Te Kanawa is in ... Read More Rating: - I love this opera!I was unfamiliar with the story of this opera until I saw it awhile back. It's quite an amusing little story. Te Kanawa looks the part of Arabella (even though she is over 50 in this performance), and she sings it with proper emotion. I don't understand people who say she sings without feeling. The rest of the cast is top notch. One of the perks of this recording is debut role of Natalie Dessay as the Fiakermilli. Rating:  - Warning: no subtitlesIf you love opera DVDs bez you can learn the opera -- music and words -- this DVD may not be for you. Rating: - Gorgeous performance by Kiri Te KanawaThis is a lovely production. Kiri Te Kanawa is absolutely gorgeous in the title role. Nice support from the cast especially coloratura Natalie Dessay. |
