Die Zauberflote (aka The Magic Flute/Wolfgang
Amadeus Mozart) – Opus Arte Blu-ray
Picture:
B Sound: B+ Extras: C+ Opera: B
To catch
up on their terrific series of Classical/Opera released they have already
issued in the HD-DVD format. Opus Arte has reissued an elaborate version of Die Zauberflote (aka The Magic Flute) on Blu-ray with the
same extras. You can read about it at
the link for the original edition:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/6600/Die+Fledermaus+(Johann+Strauss+II
It was
not that long ago I watched this and for as good as it was, it holds up, though
I was not stunned either. This never was
my favorite tale. Now, for the one big
difference besides the high definition formats.
The
HD-DVD offered Dolby TrueHD 5.1 and 2.0, but this Blu-ray offers its equivalent
in PCM 5.1 and 2.0 mixes. The
differences are minimal, much like that of the two hi-def format versions of
Martin Scorsese’s The Departed
(reviewed on HD-DVD elsewhere on this site) with the exact difference in
encoding options per format. Sometimes,
the TrueHD can sound better, other times not, but the Blu-ray often settled for
PCM tracks over the new DTS MA or Dolby TrueHD options because HDMI can do PCM
5.1 and they do not involve royalties.
Also, Dolby had more to gain in royalties if HD-DVD had won the war, so
the Blu-ray camp avoided it where they could.
The
advantage of Dolby or DTS is that they are backwards compatible for tradedown
with the older systems that can take S/PDIF digital cords meant for the classic
version of DTS and Dolby Digital. For
those with older systems, that is a nice temporary bonus, though it is arguable
that those most likely to buy a title like this are more likely to have
higher-end equipment. Either way, the
audio is fine and dead even with its counterpart.
For more
Opus Arte Classical/Opera releases, try this link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/6853/Cecilia+&+Bryn+At+Glyndebourne
- Nicholas Sheffo
