Wagner - Tannhauser / Seiffert, Kringelborn, Trekel, Kaufmann, Kabatu, Haunstein, Zysset, Welser-Most, Zurich Opera

Description

The newest release in the EMI Classics Opera on DVD series is a stunning production of Wagner's masterpiece Tannhauser from the Zurich Opera conducted by Franz Welser-Most, featuring Peter Sieffert (Tannhauser), Solveig Kringelborn (Elisabeth), and Thomas Hampson (von Eschenbach). Initially produced in Dresden in 1845, Tannhauser provoked by a few ardent friends and admirers, among them Schumann and Liszt. The history of the Zurich Opera is rich in cultural highlights: In 1913, Wagner's "Parsifal" was given its first legal performance outside of Bayreuth; Wilhelm Furtwangler began his career here; Franz Lehar and Richard Strauss came to supervise performances of their own works; and Carlos Kleiber conducted operettas. This performance of Tannhauser on DVD is a welcome addition to this great tradition.

Customer Reviews:

Totally Unwatchable.......2007-06-18

It's not just the fact that the staging in modern dress is insipid, uninspired, and contrary to the story (sainly Elizabeth taking off her dress in the third act before Wolfram's big aria for example where he gets a close-up until we cut away a couple of times to view the hands of the harpist in the orchestra pit) but the other reviewers are not exaggerating when they comment on the filming. Close-ups of singers are never to be desired, but we have little else here but close-ups (except when there is an aerial shot). It doesn't matter who is singing there is always a close-up on Tannhauser whenever he is on stage. When he is not, some other person is singled out for this dubious honor. I couldn't believe that when Wolfram was singing in Act III there was a close-up on Elizabeth's bowed head. (Perhaps she was dozing. I was by this point.) This is a DVD that will go in my CD collection. I may listen to it again in ten or twenty years, but I will never punish myself by viewing it again.

My first view of Wagner..........2005-08-05

Now opera DVDs are becoming more affordable, I can see what I had only previously heard. Unfortunately, this "Tannhauser" has been done with vitually no background or costumes. Possibly, going by Peter Seiffert's heavy overcoat and redscarf/tie it's supposed to be a innercity/mafioso 1950's setting. I can't even begin to explain the occasional cowboy hat? Understandably, singers of Wagner probably get tired of clomping around in armour, but it's very dull to look at and loses the historical romance of medieval fable. That was my main problem with it. As for the video direction which so annoys others, I rather enjoyed seeing the entrance of the conductor from off-stage and the performer's tense expressions as they prepared to go on stage. It was interesting to note that for all the close-ups of the conductor's facial contortions and hand wavings, the orchestra very seldom glances up at him. It was fun to see, but, call me shallow, I had hoped for something more colorful and visually exciting.

Well sung but has directorial flaws.......2005-01-01

I didn't hate it. . .
If you have read the chatter about this new release from `EMI Classics', directed by Chloe Perlmuter, then you will understand what I mean by "I didn't hate it". This new Tannhauser has met with quite a bit of resistance, not for the performance or the singing but because of the confusing direction. The biggest problem about this DVD, not the performance, is that it keeps diverting us back from the fictional world that Wagner so beautifully crafted to the reality of life as an opera singer. Set in a time indefinite (the costumes were dark and muted and seemed confused; there was no scenery to speak of: is this a period piece or a post apolalyptic era?) For those who have not seen this yet, in a nutshell, the director continuously brings us back stage to see the performers walking around, preparing and, in some cases, getting into character while the orchestra plays onstage. To some, this style may not distract (it was interesting to see what the singers are actually doing prior to the curtain rising) but for me it kept taking me away from the opera itself and placing me back into reality. The other major flaw here was the amount of close-ups. There are times throughout a performance that singers should not be viewed close up, especially if they are prone to sweating. Peter Seiffert, our Tannhauser, was literally dripping from the moment he took the stage. It was so noticable that it became a little uncomfortable to watch.
A word about the actual stage production and direction . . . terrific! I really loved what they did and some of the images were evocative, powerful and outstanding. The spackling of red throughout the Venus scene was well done and the placement of red fabric on the stage floor in an oval shape (caught from an overhead camera) - looked great. My very favorite Wagner aria (if there is such a thing) is Elizabeth's Act III Allmacht'ge Jungfrau. This can make or break a production for me. Here, Solveig Kringelborn did a beautiful job and captured the essence of the entire scene.
The performance overall, as it relates to the principle singers was top-notch; all did a terrific job and deserve mention. Peter Seiffert was a wonderfully voiced Tannhauser and remained in good voice throughout; his acting was also quite good. Solveig Kringelborn did an outstanding job as Elizabeth and carried out all of her tasks with beauty and ease - standing out among the other principles and chorus at the conclusion of Act II. Roman Trekel's Wofram von Eschenbach (named after the original writer of the prose work of Parsifal) did a noble job and made one genuinely feel for the character. Finally there was Isabelle Kabatu giving us a vampy, sexy Venus. One can honestly understand why Tannhauser would want to remain with her in Venusburg.
I love Wagner and think that Tannhauser is a great introduction for anybody wanting to explore his works. I always recommend listening to this first, as it is his easiest work. Unfortunately this DVD does not give one the sense of escape one looks for in Wagner. As noted earlier it keeps moving back and forth between pre-production and performance shots, and for me, it takes away from the actual viewing pleasure.
I will still watch this again, based on the strength of the performers, but I may opt to do some work around the office while listening. JG

Down with Chloe Perlemuter!.......2004-12-15

Bad, bad, bad...
If this DVD is part of my collection is because Thomas Hampson was announced as part of the cast. Well, stars are not so important, so I watched the production. And there is the awful work of a director named Chloe Perlemuter. She don't know nothing about opera, Wagner, movies, tv shows.... in one word: direction. Sorry about this production of Tannhäuser because the music and the singers are terrific... and maybe the sets, but is difficult to say so with a camera like Perlemuter's.

WORST TV DIRECTION IN OPERA I'VE EVER SEEN!!.......2004-12-14

Im very dissapointed about this DVD. First of all, probably all the people that wrote their reviews here bought this dvd BLINDLY thinking that THOMAS HAMPSON was singing as Wolfram. (Until now, the artwork and the main review says so).

My complains here are:

1. I don't care about those camera shots to the artists behind the scenes, i thought it was original and different...but then they were just completely OUT OF CONTROL!!, it was like watching a concert, and was very distracting, and I mean very. I just hate the angles of the cameras, and watching the director's hands only. Very distracting and unnecessary.

2. The director has no idea about opera direction. No idea about Wagner. No idea about productions. It was like she was told "ok, do you see that guy over there? thats Tannhauser" so she decided to stuck a camera on him, disrespecting the other singers, and for instance, making us losing the entire first act. I couldn't understand or realize what was happened on stage. A shame.

3. The reason i rate this dvd with 2 stars is because the sound and singers. THe sound and artists are awesome, and the production looks great, just as Zurich opera always does. Its a real shame that they chose a director that just destroy their production on dvd.

SO BE AWARE!! I think the only reason to have this DVD is because Peter Seiffert and SOlveig Kringelborn are here. Both are spectacular and are among the ultimate wagnerian singers.
But i REALLY recommend not buying it.

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