Richard Strauss’ Der
Rosenkavalier (Medici Arts Blu-ray and DVD)
Picture:
B+/B Sound:
B+/B Extras: D Program: A-
Der Rosenkavalier or The Knight of the Rose is a
comic opera in three acts by Richard Strauss with original libretto by Hugo von
Hofmannsthal and adapted by two sources: the novel Les amours du chevalier de
Faublas and Monsieur de Pourceaugnac.
The opera was first performed in 1911 and remains one of the more
popular operas performed annually. We
have already covered Strauss’ Salome,
reviewed here
and are just as thrilled about this recently entry as well, which has been
issued through Naxos on their Medici label for both DVD and Blu-ray. The story is set in the 1740’s during the
first few years of the reign of Empress Maria Therese and while the opera was
hugely popular in a mainstream sense, it was not so popular among critics who
were not favorable to the use of waltzes, which at this time was not
commonplace in opera to say the least.
In that sense, Der Rosenkavalier
is innovative in its usage of music style and substance, which works
beautifully together here.
The opera
itself is not necessarily for beginners as it is complex in it’s design and in
many respects Strauss went full force with this particular piece writing some
of his best work and integrating it into perhaps one of the finest productions,
which would come at the end of an era that was sadly transformed just a few
years later by World War I. This
production was filmed in Japan where it caused quite a sensation in November
2007 as it was the first visit in 26-years and received such a reception that
tickets sold like hot cakes. Anne
Schwanewilms brings the house down too with this phenomenal soprano part that
rivals some of the best parts ever written for opera, her tenderness and yet
commanding vocal range is beyond words.
The
presentation on both DVD and Blu-ray are quite good, framed at 1.78 X 1 and
shot in HD, the Blu-ray immediately prevails with a superior 1080i high
definition transfer that demonstrates superior fidelity, depth, black levels,
sharpness and overall resolution that takes the viewer into the act. Shot in the NHK hall in Tokyo under stage
direction by Uwe Eric Laufenberg and performed by the Semperoper Dresden this
is certainly one of the best productions ever offered, and certainly for home
video. While the DVD is particularly
strong, it cannot compete with many of the darker scenes, which is evident here
quite a bit. The DVD offers three audio
options: PCM 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1, and DTS 5.1. I am really excited about the usage of PCM on
these DVD releases as they are superior even to the Dolby Digital mixes, of
course the real treat is the DTS audio option, which surpasses both. Again, the Blu-ray wins again with lossless
PCM 2.0 and PCM 5.1 mixes, which are superb and on par with the other material
we have been getting through Naxos thus far.
The mix feels spacious when it needs to be and the vocal ranges come
through well-balanced and natural, not ‘enhanced’.
The opera
itself is not necessarily for beginners as it is complex in it’s design and in
many respects Strauss went full force with this particular piece writing some
of his best work and integrating it into perhaps one of the finest productions,
which would come at the end of an era that was sadly transformed just a few
years later by World War I. This
production was filmed in Japan where it caused quite a sensation in November
2007 as it was the first visit in 26-years and after seeing this particular
production it is no wonder! While there
are no extras included, having your hands on this disc is enough. There is a booklet that does detail the
overall production; its history, the cast, and other interesting notes. Molto
suggerito!
- Nate Goss
