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Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9780769720296
Format: Classical, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
ISBN: 0769720293
Label: Kultur Video
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
Number Of Items: 2
Publisher: Kultur Video
Release Date: April 27, 1999
Running Time: 198 minutes
Sales Rank: 29440
Studio: Kultur Video
Editorial Review:
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
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - Superb singing-acting
If you're looking for one video ROSENKAVALIER I bet this is the one. (Unless you're a die-hard Eliz. Schwarzkopf groupie.) It's very unusual to get a cast like this with four born-for-their-parts singing actors and zero weaknesses. ALL the minor actors reward close observation. Valzacchi and Anina are as interesting in their way as the principals. (Valzacchi is played by the British celebrity tenor Robert Tear.) Watch the Italian Singer's pantomime argument with his accompanist and his vocal ... Read More
Rating: - A superb Der Rosenkavalier
Several times during this Rosenkavalier I was brought to tears by the sheer beatuy of the cast and production. Just gorgeous!
Rating: - Awesome
Fantastic singing from all of the cast; they are first-rate. Te Kanawa OWNS the Marschallin character, and Howells is good as Octavian. Barbara Bonney is a spectacular Sophie, and Haugland is perfect as Ochs. My only caution is that the audio quality is not fabulous--you can hear the prompter when you listen with headphones.
Rating: - superlative
I have a friend -- a knowledgeable opera buff -- who once mildly embarrassed me when, in a discussion, I turned to him for (brief and conversational) support for my claim that Kiri Te Kanawa is one of the best of the recent (i.e., late 20th century) sopranos. He demurred evasively, saying there are so many sopranos. True enough, but Te Kanawa is good. And should you ever have any doubts about this, look no further than this utterly superlative version of Strauss' great opera. Everything on display ... Read More
Rating: - Delightful
I thoroughly enjoyed this performance. Both the singing and the acting were superb. I really cannot imagine that Te Kanawa's Marschallin can be bettered and Anne Howell's Oktavian was an eye-opener for me. If you want a moving and well acted performance you can't do better than this one.
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