Product: Richard Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier [VHS] (1994)
Rating: 5.0
Kleiber 1994 versus Kleiber 1979 ... the winner is ...
Carlos Kleiber, one of the most magnetic masters on the podium, leads this radiant and utterly enjoyable DVD performance of Rosenkavalier, recorded in 1994, Vienna. His approach less brilliant, but more relaxed than his 1979 tape with the Munich Staatsoper. As to the principals: Kurt Moll's imparts his velvety bass cantabile to a role all too often taken for a comic ride. His Baron, in fact, is astonishingly smooth; he is entirely comfortable in those very low parts Strauss gives him. Anne Sofie Von Otter, a tall and lanky Octavian, plays the male-female mix better than anyone I have heard before. She is a true virtuoso and great comedienne in the tavern scene. Her voice is has an astonishing freshness and clarity; it can be, at one point sweet, at another luscious, and, at another spare and comic. Felicity Lott is a stately and mature Feldmarschellin and a fine contrast to Barbara Bonney's girlish Sophie. The Trio that ends Act III, is amazing; the three women's voices are breathtaking. The Vienna State Opera Orchestra (largely drawn from the Vienna Philharmonic) is, as expected, first rate.For those who already have Kleiber's tape performance of 1979, make sure you buy this DVD as well. Kleiber's earlier performance is glittering and pointillist in approach. By 1994, the conductor, who seemed to have aged ungracefully in fifteen years, is far more "gemütlich" -- tender and warm -- than in the earlier sensational and brash interpretation. The Munich orchestra is far brighter, but the Vienna has a certain inner glow. Manfred Jungwirth's Baron is more comedic (a la W.C. Fields) than Moll's, but, as mentioned before Moll's voice is perfect. Moll's only bad habit, one that would not be seen from afar, is to habitually look aside for prompts. Brigitte Fassbaender, the 1979 Octavian, is really boyish and betters von Otter in playing a boy-who-is-playing-a-girl. Fassbaender looks awkward, and walks like a faux-femme in the Tavern scene. However, von Otter's voice wins. Gwyneth Jones's Feldmarschellin is, I think, more refined than Lott's. Lucia Popp is equaled by Barbara Bonney. However, the original 1979 staging is far better (original Schenk) than in the 1994 (based-on Schenk)Warning: The sound in the 1979 is actually better for older TVs and VCRs; in fact, it's amazingly good. But, if you play this new 1994 DVD on older equipment, it may sound rather pale. It wasn't until I popped it in a surround-sound system that I really heard the *all* the music.Summing up: A must get!