Starring: Renee Fleming, Morten Frank Larsen, Julia Kleiter, Johan Weigel, Zurich Opera House Chorus & Orchestra Directed by: Gotz Friedrich Binding: DVD Published: 2008-07-08
The first DVD of Renée Fleming The definitive Strauss interpreter of our time (Chicago Sun-Times) in one of her greatest roles. Filmed in HD (High Definition) Widescreen. Production by the venerable opera director Götz Friedrich Among the most powerful creative influences on opera in recent times (Telegraph, London). Subtitles available: English, French, German, Spanish, Chinese
This 2007 Zurich Opera production of Richard Strauss' Arabella is a winner, mostly due to Renée Fleming who traces the progress of the eponymous character from flighty young flirt to a strong, sensible woman, thus moving the opera from what can sometimes seem a sugary confection to an affecting coming-of-age story. It's commonplace to praise the beauty of her voice, its rich timbre and easeful production always a pleasure to hear. In this Arabella we also note the acting that makes her transformation into a decisive woman seem natural and inevitable, while her singing fortunately lacks the mannerisms that sometimes creep into her phrasing. In short, she's the Arabella of our time, and makes this very fine opera seem much more than that. Her sustained high phrases and the soaring lines of the final scene blend tonal beauty, meaning, and emotional power in equal measure. As her sister, Zdenka, soprano Julia Kleiter is a perfect match, almost stealing the show when she and Fleming are together on stage. Though saddled (as per the libretto) with male clothes for most of the opera, she's as convincing as anyone can be in a pants role and her singing is silvery balm to the ears. Her big Act I duet with Fleming is stunning, the voices blending beautifully, the effect of Strauss' long lines luminous. The other big role is that of Mandryka, the fabulously rich young man who's smitten with Arabella. Their marriage is necessary to bail out the finances of the girls' father, the count. Mandryka, "the right man" Arabella dreams of, is a juicy baritone role but Morten Frank Larsen's tight voice, bleached tone and effortful high notes don't make him our right man for the part, despite his youthful vigor and good looks. Johan Weigel, as Matteo, Arabella's rejected suitor and Zdenka's secret love, is broadly done as are the girls' parents who provide suitable comic relief as sung by Alfred Muff and Cornelia Kallisch. Franz Welser-Most conducts the Zurich Opera orchestra and chorus with faceless efficiency. Gotz Friedrich's minimalist production is off-putting at first, why the Art Deco settings instead of the old Vienna of Strauss' i>Der Rosenkavalier, the early success he hoped to duplicate with Arabella. But one soon gets used to the updated setting and it does no violence to Strauss' intentions, although one does expect a more opulent setting for this opera. The video direction of Felix Breisach is good; the cameras smoothly picking up singers and action. -- Dan Davis
Arabella is an all-regions color disc in 16:9 ratio. Sound options include PCM Stereo and DTS 5.0 Surround. Sung in German, subtitles are available in English French, German, Spanish and Chinese.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
The best of three!:
I have two other Arabellas, with Kanawa and Brendel and Janowitz and Weikl, and I liked this one the best. I wanted to see Renee Fleming in the part and she was spectacular; beautifully appointed, in fine voice and natural in the role. When Morten Frank Larsen appeared as Mandryka, I thought, "Ooohh la, la! Someone as beautiful as Fleming to play her match!" After a while, I thought he was as much the star of this opera as she was. His acting and singing were terrific and his character seemed believable and... more info
It Should Have Been Better:
I dithered about acquiring this new DVD of Arabella; afterall I had KIri and Gundula, but most of the Zurich productions I have are very good and even though Renee (and Muff and Kallisch)was the only artist whose work I knew I thought it was worth the plunge. And as far as Fleming, I am glad I did. As an actor she has improved immensely since the taping of the Capriccio--a self-absorbed interpretation created to draw attention to herself at the expense of others. This is not the case with her Arabella, but... more info
bravissima:
I would like to add my vote to those of reviewers praising Renee Fleming's performance here. It is absolutely wonderful, both the singing and the acting. Fleming's magical dramatic skill is not often enough praised. Here she captures the subtleties of Arabella's character and her changing feelings and situation with great sensitivity and force. Others have praised her singing (those, at any rate, who are willing to hear her, and don't presume to lecture on how a singer "should" sing) and I second their... more info
Three "BEST" Arabellas":
Fleming seems born to be Arabella. Her conversational style here suits Strauss.She illuminats this opera on a par with two others, Te Kanawa at the Met and Janowitz in Vienna. All three of these dvds are equally good and bring insights into this opera.
Amazed by other reviewers who criticized the singing, I would not want any one fond of Arabella to miss this performance . The singing is better than 5 star. (except Sen Guo's Faikermilli who understandably is not up to that of Guberova or Dessay on... more info
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