Search - Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos [Blu-ray] on Blu-ray

Sheer brilliance!

Nicolaas Van Den Heever | La Quinta, CA United States | 07/18/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
If this is modern opera, opera has unquestionable longevity!!! I have been moved, thrilled and exhilarated by this production - and cannot stop watching it. The artistic concept of this production and interpretation of Strauss's opera will even get the composer's approval. Gone are the cardboard islands and caves and we find ourselves in a beautiful modern day restaurant. Emily Magee is a Garbo of divas - in looks, style and voice. Her acting abilities and indulgence in the role is Fleming-like, but without the self indulgence. Roberto Sacca has Brando presence and a voice that will melt you. The last 25 min between the hero and the victim was breathtaking - even more so in Blu-ray and HD sound. Long story short - Strauss and Ariadne lovers - you HAVE to see this! Long live opera tailored for modern times and audiences and I hope we see lots more form American soprano Emily Magee.
"

Very convincing

A. Lupu | Rochester, MN USA | 08/05/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Prologue is set up in an empty set with curtains in the back. There are no props and it is very effective, as the singers/actors convey the different messages very convincingly. The opposite symbols that Strauss and Hofmannsthal created are clearly portrayed in the music and acting, serious opera vs. light entertainment, fidelity vs. coquetry, employer vs. employee, etc. Amazingly, it becomes clear that these opposites are in essence different aspects of the same unity. The production succeeds in keeping it whole. At the end, the composer kills himself, instead of running away in despair as set in the original libretto (of Ariadne II).
The Opera is set in a modern restaurant. It is very effective and well created. The "Island" is a sociological one instead of a physical one. The acting of Emily Megee during the short overture is just amazing (no singing!). The recording has a close up of her gestures that I wandered if the audience in the theater could have effectively appreciated. The music and her gestures totally convey her state of mind, no explanations or word needed.
Elena Mosuc as Zerbinetta is wonderful. Beautiful singing and acting.
The composer ghost appears at some point in the Opera, which could have many interpretations that I leave to each watcher. The music and the voices are just wonderful.
Highly recommended.
"

Wonderful

Hawk Liu | 09/20/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"what i like about the production is the set for the 'opera'. which depicts a restaurant. it didn't feel like a stage set, it's more like a film set where a real restaurant is used, with proper walls, doors and such. Such a joy to watch.
i like the use of cast members to act as patrons at the restaurant. the action in the opera was mostly 'realistic', with no 'eurotrashy' abstractions !!!! i said 'mostly' because i didn't like the appearance of the 'composer' in the 'opera' section. it was unnecessary. it spoilt my enjoyment of the 'opera'.
the singers were ALL good !!! everyone was a joy to watch as they all sang well, and without the need (in general) to do anything unrealistic (i mean eurotrashy). zerbinetta - beautiful, strong and clear, Ariadne - great voice (wish it is warmer - I like Ariadnes with opulent voices like Leontyne Price, or Anna Tomowa-Sintow), and the BEST thing for me is the use of an Italian tenor !!! most German tenors i've heard do not possess the warmth (most of them sound brassy) that most Italian tenors have. Roberto Sacca, the tenor, sang the role with a great musical voice and accuracy as well as with the Italian romanticism. Yes, I know I AM bias - I do think Italian tenors sound better in German roles than most German tenors in German tenor roles - they tend to sound a lot warmer too.
i am not keen on the Prologue - i do not like the absence of sets for it, period. The composer is good but i suspect the venue doesn't bring out the best in her voice, which i find lost in the theatre. maybe it's the recording technicalities. I think the role of the composer needs an opulent voice like that of Christa Ludwig, or Troyanos. Though i like the composer in this set, the voice didn't seem to project enough (still, it's a beautiful voice)
sorry to have to mention this but WHO did the make up for Magee ??!!! The high definition shows up the bad make up on her face ! It looks like Magee was clearly wearing a layer of make up that wasn't done very nicely - AT ALL!"

HORRIBLE Production

Jarrett L. Burch | Durham, NC USA | 04/18/2010

(1 out of 5 stars)

"If you want a Eurotrash production that desecrates a Strauss operatic masterpiece then this is the DVD for you. Any magic, joy, and transcendent musicality is obliterated by the producers' concepts.

Where in the text does it say the Composer blows his brains out rather than witness his "Ariadne auf Naxos" despoiled by a commedia dell'arte troop? Where in the text does it say that Ariadne commits suicide by overdosing on pills? I'll tell you: nowhere in the text or score. The costumes are dull, and the "island of Naxos" (a restaurant in Zurich?!) is dull, also.

The travesty of the staging might be forgiven if there was great singing; as is, the performers are merely adequate. Skip this one if you love Strauss.

As a matter of fact, skip this one, period."