Search - Lehr: Giuditta [DVD Video] on DVD

Be careful of the edition you get

drkhimxz | Freehold, NJ, USA | 12/25/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There seem to be a number of different imports of the same performance as appears in this one. Contrary to the product information provided by Amazon my copy (same cover as appears in this listing) claims to have only English subtitles for the operetta which is sung in German. The accompanying booklet with a brief summary of the action appears in 6 languages.
As to the performance, it seems to be the only one available at the moment if Amazons catalog is complete. As such, I can certainly recommend it for an entertaining evening. While one cannot hope for the likes of the inimitable Richard Tauber, the original lead, nor Theresa Strata, whose performance of one number appears on YouTube, the cast is quite able to recreate the songs with appropriate dramatic effect and give the production a suitable operetta flavor. It took a few minutes to accommodate to head microphones on each singer and to the dynamics of staging in an outdoor setting but once over that hurdle one is able to join the large audience (however, as if sitting in the most expensive seats) as the production unfolds in true operetta style. Scenic design admirably enhances the action while many of the production numbers are reminiscent of the staging to be found in the Big 1940-50's American movie musicals.
All in all, a colorful evening dedicated to nothing more significant than the pleasure of the audience. In achieving that objective it is, indeed, successful."

Lehar, Morbisch and Subtitles!

violajoke | 05/11/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was reluctant to purchase this without reading other reviews after our collective disappointment with Vogelhandler....I'm glad I took the chance! This would have received 5 rather than 4 stars but Ushakova couldn't get a handle on the high passages. Mehrzad Montazeri was wonderful and the performance is just plain old fun.

Watch it and enjoy!"

A nice production of a minor operetta

David Smith | Penn Valley, PA USA | 04/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The seefestspiele of Morbisch appears to be the major source of German Operetta on DVD. This production is lavish. The set and costumes are eye catching. I cannot comment on the quality of the singing compared to a standard of excellence, but all seem to do a very nice job. The performance is enjoyable. The sound is clear and the DVD visual quality is excellent, particularly once the evening lights come on. Natalia Ushakova is beautiful. The ballet in the third act has very abreviated costumes, if that is of concern to you. I wish there were productions from the Volksoper in Vienna or the Theater on the Wein, but one must take what one can get get when it comes to this art form."