Mozart operas

[Wendell_E]

I would like to see the recent Met version (was it in English) i thought this had been released but have not found it yet and i have yet to see the Kenneth Brannagh film of this opera- i did see some clips on youtube but that didn't exactly excite me.

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.

[Octave]

I just asked about Harnoncourt's recordings of Mozart symphonies in the general Mozart thread; while I'm at it, I'm curious which of his recordings of the operas (CD or DVD) you guys think are not just interesting but indispensable, contenders to sit among the front rank with all the alternatives, from any period or approach.  (Even if it's not your top pick or two or three for a given opera....it's a crowded field!)

One reason I ask is that I don't seem to run across Harnoncourt's name in this thread very often; perhaps that is answer enough?  Yet even in a crowded field His COSI was given strong praise by cosmicj: "...takes things very slowly for the most part, adding a sensuous veneer which really adds a dimension to the score."

[Gurn Blanston]

I just asked about Harnoncourt's recordings of Mozart symphonies in the general Mozart thread; while I'm at it, I'm curious which of his recordings of the operas (CD or DVD) you guys think are not just interesting but indispensable, contenders to sit among the front rank with all the alternatives, from any period or approach?  (Even if it's not your top pick or two or three for a given opera....it's a crowded field!)

One reason I ask is that I don't seem to run across Harnoncourt's name in this thread very often; perhaps that is answer enough?  Yet even in a crowded field His COSI was given strong praise by cosmicj: "...takes things very slowly for the most part, adding a sensuous veneer which really adds a dimension to the score."

I'm not entirely sure that I even knew Harnoncourt did Mozart's operas, so I'm temporarily stumped by this. I have Ostman, Hogwood, Jacobs and Gardiner in at least the Da Ponte's (some on others too), and thought I had it pretty well covered. Harnoncourt, eh?  Hmmm....

[San Antone]

I'm not entirely sure that I even knew Harnoncourt did Mozart's operas, so I'm temporarily stumped by this. I have Ostman, Hogwood, Jacobs and Gardiner in at least the Da Ponte's (some on others too), and thought I had it pretty well covered. Harnoncourt, eh?  Hmmm....

News to me as well.  Found this, not PI, but which I will get anyway

[asin]B002HLQRMK[/asin]

I always start with Cosi ...

I also saw a DVD, and don't know if he's done any with period instruments.

[San Antone]

Nix that last post.  Seems I completely forgot that I already have this DVD

[asin]B000B6N5VO[/asin]

However, I do remember now, being underwhelmed and even somewhat bothered by the staging.  Which is why I usually prefer CDs to DVDs.

[Karl Henning]

Both the K.527 & K.588? Mmm, that's a temptation . . . .

How is it musically?

[TheGSMoeller]

 


Original cover and reissue.
This has been my favorite Zauberflote on disc since it was released. It now has competition with my purchase of Jacobs last year. Harnoncourt truly animates this music, stretching it's lovely arias, and adding intensity to its fiery moments. Plus, the Zurich players perform with incredible passion. It features all the spoken dialogue (which I'm not sure if that's common with all recordings) so the theater experience is in tact.

[Octave]

There are iirc three of the Warner 250th Anniversary boxes that collect several of the Harnoncourt operas among them all.  I remember Sarge recommended Harnoncourt's ENTFUHRUNG very strongly, maybe even his single top pick for that one; apparently it makes bold use of some Turkish percussion in some places.

[Octave]

Gurn, put.....the credit card.....down!

[San Antone]

Both the K.527 & K.588? Mmm, that's a temptation . . . .

How is it musically?

I honestly don't remember.  I was so bothered by the staging, they used a white board throughout, drawing and writing on it - that I found so out of character with the piece, that I turned it off.  I should listen with my eyes closed.  That was Cosi.  I never got around to Giovanni.

[Karl Henning]

Completely understand being put off by goofy stagecraft.

[Gurn Blanston]

Gurn, put.....the credit card.....down!

  Oh yeah, I'll be waiting for feedback on this one.... 

[Sergeant Rock]

It features all the spoken dialogue (which I'm not sure if that's common with all recordings) so the theater experience is in tact.

And when you want just the music, this is an indispensable Zauberflöte. No dialogue at all (which I find a blessing). But it's more than that: if I could only take one Mozart opera to the island, this would be it. It has a great cast (save a slightly underachieving Gottlob Frick), especially the women. Klemperer conducts as though it were Beethoven (I like my Mozart as far from the music box as possible). Tempos tend towards the slow side but are never lumbering.

[asin]B002N4DZ26[/asin]


Sarge

[Karl Henning]

Splendid, Sarge, thanks for the rec.

[TheGSMoeller]

And when you want just the music, this is an indispensable Zauberflöte. No dialogue at all (which I find a blessing). But it's more than that: if I could only take one Mozart opera to the island, this would be it. It has a great cast (save a slightly underachieving Gottlob Frick), especially the women. Klemperer conducts as though it were Beethoven (I like my Mozart as far from the music box as possible). Tempos tend towards the slow side but are never lumbering.

[asin]B002N4DZ26[/asin]


Sarge

And at a nice price. I just realized that all three of my Zauberflöte recordings include the dialogue.

[Karl Henning]

Vell, it iss a zingshpeel . . . .

[TheGSMoeller]

Vell, it iss a zingshpeel . . . .

It was with Bergman's film that I first experienced Zauberflote, so I've always been attracted to the spoken parts.

[DavidRoss]

I always start with Cosi ...

Seems I completely forgot that I already have this DVD [Harnoncourt]

However, I do remember now, being underwhelmed and even somewhat bothered by the staging.  Which is why I usually prefer CDs to DVDs.

Love Cosi. Agree those Harnoncourt DVDs are less than thrilling. Best of the few I've seen is the Glyndebourne production with Miah Persson. Still prefer hearing the wonderful Walter Legge/Böhm CD or Kuijken or Jacobs.

If this Magic Flute were available on blu-ray or DVD, I'd snap it up:

http://www.youtube.com/v/s4yxYBu1y3I

Dazzling!

[Karl Henning]

It was with Bergman's film that I first experienced Zauberflote . . . .

Likewise!  (Probably at the College of Wooster, in the Wishart Hall lecture room . . . .)

[Elgarian]

Love Cosi. ... Best of the few I've seen is the Glyndebourne production with Miah Persson.

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.