Search - Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier / Whitehouse, Komlosi, Rancatore, Williams, Pittman-Jennings, Neschling, Mossimo Theatre Orchestra, Palermo Opera on DVD

Good, but not the best

Mr John Haueisen | WORTHINGTON, OHIO United States | 01/29/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Der Rosenkavalier is a comedy about love and human nature, and it's set in the Vienna of Empress Maria Theresa.

The plot is basically about how a lecherous womanizer get his comeuppance, but there is food for thought for many of the characters. The characters are very well-drawn, and you will likely recognize similarities with people you have known.

Ildiko Komlosi does a marvelous job in the "trouser role" of Octavian, both with her singing and her acting (best swordwork I've seen in an Octavian).

The Marschallin (Elizabeth Whitehouse) is properly regal throughout. Costuming is beautiful and bright.

Another bright spot is Daniel Lewis Williams, as Baron Ochs. He's the youngest I've seen to play the baron, but he brings a more energetic strutting, dancing, and leering, which makes him wonderful for the role.

Personally, I still prefer Carlos Kleiber's Rosenkavalier, with Anne Sofie von Otter as Octavian, as my favorite performance, and would urge you to try that performance for your first experience with Rosenkavalier.

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If it had subtitles, five stars!

P. Sutherland | Berea, Ohio, USA | 03/02/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a gorgeous production of Der Rosenkavalier with beautiful music, sets, costumes, performers and singing. It lacks only subtitles. I've seen five other productions of this opera (more than once), so I was able to follow the opera anyway, but subtitles truly add to the enjoyment. If this were to be your first viewing, I'd say choose another.

Elizabeth Whitehouse as the Marschellin was regal and sang beautifully. Ildiko Komlosi was superb in the role of Octavian and Desiree Rancatore was a fabulous Sophie. Their duets with the rose were heavenly. Daniel Lewis Williams, who sang with a deep, rich bass voice, was perfectly obnoxious as Baron Ochs. The sword scene where he is grazed by Octavian was spectacularly chaotic.
Act III at the inn was well done although a little light on the bedlam compared to other productions I've seen. I enjoyed the whole thing except for the last minute, which I will not describe. It seemed out of character.







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