(VHS) Richard Stauss - Der Rosenkavalier - The Royal Opera Covent Garden

Amazonのエディトリアルレビューより

Description

This opulent production by Oscar-winning film director John Schlesinger marked the 25th anniversary of Sir George Solti's spectacular debut at Covent Garden conducting Der Rosenkavalier - an appearance that within months secured him a ten-year Music Directorship of Covent Garden. It also features Kiri Ti Kanawa's first performance in London of the role of Marschallin. Anne Howells gives a most sensitive performance as the 'Knight of the Rose'; Aage Huagland is the roguish Baron Ochs and the American soprano Barbara Bonney is "... an enchanting vulnerable Sophie, as lovely to hear...as she is to behold."

Amazon.com

This Rosenkavalier is a nearly perfect combination of music, singers, staging, and conducting. It examines the whole spectrum of love from every perspective: youthful idealism, consenting adultery, predatory lechery, and autumnal regrets. Richard Strauss's music is exquisite; the emotional climate includes tenderness, sophistication, and sentimentality, with a healthy dose of near-slapstick. This is a treatment to live with on a desert island.

Kiri Te Kanawa garners most of the acclaim in what is probably her best role, but the entire cast is superbly chosen and works together in fine-tuned ensemble--not only the impulsive Octavian of Anne Howells, Barbara Bonney's sweet, timid Sophie, and Aage Haugland's, boorish, pretentious Baron Ochs, but everyone, including servants, domestic spies, and the social-climbing Herr Faninal. The sets and costumes are sumptuous; the sound and video images well defined. Georg Solti conducts with a subtlety and lyric lilt not always found in his work. --Joe McLellan