Search - Strauss - Der Rosenkavalier / Gwyneth Jones, Brigitte Fassbaender, Lucia Popp, Manfred Jungwirth, Benno Kusche, Carlos Kleiber, Munich Opera on DVD

You will cry

Robert Petersen | Durban, South Africa | 08/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With 3 great singers singing the leading female parts, how could you go wrong? This was a momentous night, with Carlos Kleiber leading the Munich State Opera Orchestra superbly. The production by Otto Schenk is colourful and well directed. A wonderful addition to the DG Catalogue."

Music from Heaven

K. Wong | Virginia, USA | 01/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Kleiber conducts a brisk performance which flows very nicely with the singing and action going on. The only competition of this DVD is the other one also conducted by Kleiber. The one under review here has Popp as Sophie, Jones as Marschallin, and Fassbaender as Octavian. Jones is on her best behavior here and sings very well. She looks the part and her mannerism is perfect for this role. Fassbaender and Popp are the best Octavian and Sophie on DVD. They interact with each other so naturally and you will truly believe that they are two young teenagers falling in love with each other. Fassbaender's voice is very masculine and she sings very well. Popp has always been my all time favorite and she is no doubt the best Sophie. The trio from last act is simply music from heaven. The set is good and is traditional. It serves the opera well. The other Kleiber DVD, however, is also excellent. I don't think I want to have to choose here because I like both and I think anyone who is a fan of this opera needs to have both. If you are not a fan of this opera yet, get one of them and you will be hooked."

They Got It Right!

Mr John Haueisen | WORTHINGTON, OHIO United States | 08/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This delightful performance of Strauss' magnificent opera is conducted by Carlos Kleiber, who obviously delights in the music.

Otto Schenk demonstrates the value that an excellent director brings to the staging of a grand opera. It's a window back into 19th century Vienna.

The performers, too, are top caliber. Gwyneth Jones has both the youthful playfulness needed in the first act, and the thoughtful reserve and majesty required of an empress, in the final act.

Our "young couple" are Brigitte Fassbaender and Lucia Popp, who join the Marschallin in gorgeous singing and equally excellent acting.

Manfred Jungwirth is as good (or bad and boorish) as Baron Ochs can be. You'll justifiably anticipate that wonderful sustained bass note at the end of Act 2, where he sanctimoniously laments how drab the world must seem to everyone, whenever he's not around.

If you've never seen Rosenkavalier, this would be a fine first experience. If you've seen several versions already, I think you'll agree that "they got it right!""

A "Rosenkavalier" for the ages

J. Carter Joseph | ATLANTA, GA | 07/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Prepare to be blown away. Carlos Kleiber strides triumphantly into the pit, gleaming with self-confidence and ability. He is a man on a mission, namely to do full justice to a towering masterwork. The atmosphere is electric. Without so much as waiting for the thundering applause to die down, he launches full-force into the overture, taking it at breakneck speed.

To my mind, this overture is about great sex, climaxing together, then afterglow and intimacy. The music describes all this; First the horns thrusting, their theme received by the string section, then the two blend together and fall mutually to earth, melting with knowledge of each other. As the curtain rises, Strauss even paints the sun coming up, with birds twittering in the background, as the couple, in bed, flush with love, talk sweet nothings.

The cast simply could not be better, with Gwynneth Jones every inch the noble and melancholy Marschallin, Brigitte Faessbender the embodiment of burgeoning male sexuality, and the late, great Lucia Popp ideal with her silver voice as Sophie. Ochs retains his humanity despite being the pompous fool that he is. Top notch on every level."