Mozart operas

[Karl Henning]

Not just the best Cosi I've seen: it's one of those productions that would alone make it worthwhile to own a DVD player. Visually, simply exquisite. Brilliantly acted. Singing, marvellous.

Thanks, gents, good to know.  My wallet needs a witness protection program . . . .

[Gurn Blanston]

Hmmm, must be this one here (for Americans);

[asin]B000NIWI9K[/asin]

I am quite fond of Ms. Persson; she is a classical era whiz! 

[San Antone]

Hmmm, must be this one here (for Americans);

[asin]B000NIWI9K[/asin]

I am quite fond of Ms. Persson; she is a classical era whiz! 

Yes; I have plopped it in my shopping cart.  This month I have been on something of a buying frenzy, at least for me - so I am just a bit hesitant.  I am sure it won't last.

[DavidRoss]

Thanks, gents, good to know.  My wallet needs a witness protection program . . . .

Mine, too, at least when I spend too much time around GMG. I can go months without buying a CD, but hang around here for a while and before long I'm buying a few every week -- sometimes every day! Still, our wallets are better off than those needing a witless protection program!

[Mandryka]

The most enjyable Cosi and Figaro productions I've seen are Ponnele's.



The Don Giovannies I've enjoyed the mot have been Peter Brook's and Calixto Bieito's



Peter Brook has produced a Magic Flute. I've never seen it but it's going to be revived at Le Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord this year, I have a tickert to see it in July.

[Elgarian]

Hmmm, must be this one here (for Americans);

[asin]B000NIWI9K[/asin]

That's the one, Gurn. Click below for (devastatingly beautiful) sample:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wi7UsXW1As

[TheGSMoeller]

That's the one, Gurn. Click below for (devastatingly beautiful) sample:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wi7UsXW1As

Thanks for sharing, Elgarian. It's now in my wish list. 

[TheGSMoeller]

For those who haven't seen the 1975 film version of The Magic Flute by Ingmar Bergman, here are a few clips. It was originally produced as a made for TV film, but later released into theaters. The film is never shy about revealing it's "theater" atmosphere. The audience is shown during the overture, there's clapping after Arias, and best of all, during the intermission the camera goes backstage to capture the performers relaxing, smoking while playing cards, and preparing for the next act.


http://www.youtube.com/v/3ltD-bsrcHE  http://www.youtube.com/v/DpF6LRLGZLo http://www.youtube.com/v/nE7SbiKzDzE 

[Gurn Blanston]

That's the one, Gurn. Click below for (devastatingly beautiful) sample:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wi7UsXW1As

Wow, certainly liked everything I saw/heard there! Simple sets and costumes too.  Thanks for that, Elgarian! 

[Parsifal]

This is a favorite of mine


[asin]B00008G6EZ[/asin]

[kishnevi]

They Met does their Julie Taymor production in a full-length German-language version and a abridged, English-language, "family" version.  So far, only the abridged English version has been telecast and released.  It's on the Met's own label, and only available through the Met Opera Shop (http://www.metoperashop.org/product/detail/1000002505.aspx), or you can buy it through amazon.com (The Met Opera shop's still the seller, but I think shipping's a bit less if you buy it that way) at http://www.amazon.com/Wolfgang-Amadeus-Mozart-Magic-Metropolitan/dp/B001MSC61A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1304159669&sr=8-1.

I've seen that abridged version on the DVD shelves of one of the local Barnes and Nobles, so the Met may not be the only way to get it, if interested. 

Among the DVDs waiting to be watched in my pile is a Magic Flute from Zurich conducted by Welser-Most and a Glyndebourne Figaro with Renee Fleming conducted, IIRC, by Haitink.  I'm hoping I like the Zurich Flute as much as I did their Figaro, which I also have on DVD.

I too am one of those people who first experienced the Magic Flute via the Bergman film.  My second experience came a couple of years later, when the Met was on tour in Atlanta, and brought along the Chagall production (and that was truly magical!)

[The new erato]

Still, our wallets are better off than those needing a witless protection program!

Also known as a wife?

[The new erato]

For those who haven't seen the 1975 film version of The Magic Flute by Ingmar Bergman, here are a few clips.

The Bergman Flute is wonderful. I saw it 4 times (an extremely rare occurence for me) back in the days before DVDs and even VCRs, but haven't seen it since.

[Mandryka]

The problem with the Bergman Flute is that it's in Swedish.

[The new erato]

The problem with the Bergman Flute is that it's in Swedish

Well; subtitles and translations are a fact of life for us Scandinavians....and I feel Swedish "sings" very well in that version. 

[Mandryka]

Re Nicholas Hytner,  I've been really unimpressed by everything I've seen from him , including that Glyndebourne Cosi. As far as I can see his productions aren't much more than an inoffensive pretty backdrop for the singers.

[Elgarian]

Re Nicholas Hytner,  I've been really unimpressed by everything I've seen from him , including that Glyndebourne Cosi. As far as I can see his productions aren't much more than an inoffensive pretty backdrop for the singers.

Of course there's no reason why the same production is going to appeal to everyone, and it sounds as if the Glyndebourne Cosi isn't for you, but I certainly wouldn't describe it as 'an inoffensive pretty backdrop'. I'd call it a masterly and sensitive understatement. The 'blue sky' feeling pervades the whole production, and I find it unforgettable, deeply attractive, and very moving. That atmosphere (as well as the delightful singing and acting) has drawn me back to this DVD again and again ever since I first watched it.

[Karl Henning]

The problem with the Bergman Flute is that it's in Swedish.

I consider that more a characteristic than a problem.

[San Antone]

I consider that more a characteristic than a problem.

[DavidRoss]

I consider that more a characteristic than a problem.

Better yet, a bonus!