Richard Wagner 07

Wagner, Richard - Das Rheingold [2 DVDs]

Richard Wagner's tetralogy Der Ring des Nibelungen, in which Power and Love are presented as mutually exclusive ideas, is always a huge challenge for any opera house. Das Rheingold is the opening of this extraordinary production of The Ring from Het Muziektheater Amsterdam, with the orchestra taking its place both in the pit and on the astonishing stage. The fantastic stage direction by Pierre Audi succeeds in forging a profound unity combining the lyrical, mythical and philosophical qualities of Wagner's work. Breathtaking sets by George Tsypin, superb costumes by Oscar-winner Eiko Ishioka and the passionate performances of the soloists and Residentie Orchestra under the inspired guest conductor Hartmut Haenchen all contribute to an intense total experience that will leave a permanent impression. This production of The Ring of the Nibelungen is based on the new collected works of Richard Wagner.

Press Reviews

" Pierre Audi's Ring really shines!" ( Wagner Society)

" Amsterdam's new Ring has begun very promisingly: the crucial architecture is already in place. " ( The Independent)

" In the timeless archaic costumes by Eiko Ishioka most of the cast reach great heights, especially Wagner specialists like Reinhild Runkel and Graham Clark. Henk Smit is an Alberich with a lot of dramatic power. An exciting start to a Ring with which De Nederlandse Opera will draw international attention once again. " ( De Telegraaf)

" The drama is played straight, the mythical elements respected, with towering giants, sinister Nibelungen, and suitable god-like gods? musically this is equally promising. Haenchen's studied reading? is refreshingly brisk, as Wagner preferred. " ( B B C Music Magazine ? ? ? ? )

Cast
John Bröcheler ( Wotan)
Henk Smit ( Alberich)
Graham Clark ( Mime)
Reinhild Runkel ( Fricka)
Chris Merritt ( Loge)
Anne Gjevang ( Erda)

Residentie Orchestra; Harmut Haenchen

Stage Director: Pierre Audi

Catalogue Number: O A0946 D
Date of Performance: 1999
Running Time: 206 minutes
Sound: D T S Surround; L P C M Stereo
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic
Subtitles: E N, F R, D E, E S, I T, N L, J P
Label: Opus Arte

Wagner: Tristan Und Isolde [3 DVDs]

WAGNER - Das Rheingold (staged by La Fura dels Baus) - Zubin Mehta [Blu-Ray]

Schostakowitsch / Wagner: Symphonie Nr.8 / Rienzi Ouvertüre [Blu-ray]

Wagner: Die Walküre (De Nederlandse Opera, 1999) (Essential Opera Collection) [DVD]

Die Walküre is the second part of Richard Wagner's gargantuan tetralogy, Der Ring des Nibelungen, concerning the irreconcilable struggle between Power and Love. The originality of this production from Het Muziektheater Amsterdam more than meets the perennial challenge of staging The Ring. Pierre Audi's stage direction, in which the orchestra is placed on the ring-shaped stage, succeeds in forging a profound unity between the lyrical, mythical and philosophical qualities of Wagner's work, complemented by George Tsypin's astonishing sets and wonderful costumes by Oscar-winning Eiko Ishioka. Impassioned singing, and intensely dramatic playing by the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra under the energetic baton of Hartmut Haenchen create a vigorous, almost intimate performance that will leave an indelible impression. This production of The Ring is based on the new collected works of Richard Wagner.

Press Reviews

" Hartmut Haenchen builds on the New Wagner Edition and the Residentie Orchestra in outstanding form: a leaner, more elegant and never thundering Wagner sound makes this production a rich experience. " ( Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung)

" It is breathtaking to experience how well the technical and spatial possibilities of Het Muziektheater are being used; and even more overwhelming to see the focus on the individual in all this excitement. Het Muziektheater had a premiere without any equal. . . " ( Het Financieële Dagblad)

Cast
John Keyes ( Siegmund)
Kurt Rydl ( Hunding)
John Bröcheler ( Wotan)
Nadine Secunde ( Sieglinde)
Jeannine Altmeyer ( Brünnhilde)
Rheinhild Runkel ( Fricka)

Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra; Harmut Haenchen

Stage Director: Pierre Audi

Catalogue Number: O A M O6008 D
Date of Performance: 1999
Running Time: 231 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic
Label: Opus Arte

Schostakowitsch / Wagner: Symphonie Nr.8 / Rienzi Ouvertüre

Wagner, Richard - Tristan und Isolde (GA) [2 DVDs]

WAGNER: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (live at Salzburg Festival, 2013) ]Blu-ray]

VERDI & WAGNER: The Odeonsplatz Concert [DVD]

WAGNER: Rienzi (Toulouse Opera, 2013) [Blu-ray]

Championing love and personal heroism in the face of ecclesiastical oppression and political chicanery, Wagner's third opera explores characteristic themes with terrific energy which culminates in the eponymous Roman tribune's famous prayer to the gods of his fatherland, followed by a riot which prefigures the young composer's own abortive career as a firebrand and revolutionary. Within the elegant minimalism of Jorge Lavelli's production, Torsten Kerl brings ringing authority to the title role, supported by the experienced Wagnerian Pinchas Steinberg. Filmed in High Definition and recorded in true Surround Sound.

Press Reviews

"[ Steinberg's] reading of Rienzi, too, was full of energy and vitality, well suited to what this music needs. He got a great performance from the Capitole's orchestra, which is the best in some 400 miles around. The Choirs were also excellent in a very demanding opera for them. [ Torsten Kerl] was excellent all along and it can be considered a luxury to have him as Rienzi in Toulouse. " ( Seen and Heard International)

" Torsten Kerl is vivacious in the title role, full of energy and with a euphonious, flexible heldentenor which effortlessly reaches the heights. [? ] Pinchas Steinberg at the baton of the Orchestre National du Capitol proves to be energetic, elastic, confident and considerate of the singers; he emphasises transparency and pays more attention to the profound lyricism of the score (which is indebted to the tradition of Grand Opéra) than superficial dramatics. Denis Caiozzi's T V direction always concentrates on the centre of the events. The sound is pin-sharp and gives the voices precedence over the orchestra. " ( Opernnetz)

Cast
Torsten Kerl ( Rienzi)
Marika Schönberg ( Irène)
Richard Wiegold ( Steffano Colonna)
Daniela Sindram ( Adriano)
Stefan Heidemann ( Paolo Orsini)
Robert Bork ( The Cardinal Orvieto)

Choeur du Capitole; Coro dell' Accademia Teatro alla Scala; Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse; Pinchas Steinberg

Stage Director: Jorge Lavelli
Television Director: Denis Caïozzi

Catalogue Number: O A B D7125 D
Date of Performance: 2013
Running Time: 176 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Subtitles: E N; F R; D E K O
Label: Opus Arte