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Wagner - The Flying Dutchman (Der Fliegende Hollander) / Backman, Behrens, Grundheber, Savonlinna Opera FestivalRating:
Release Date: 29 June, 2004 Retail Price: $29.95 OUR Price: $26.99 You SAVE: $2.96! Cast: |
Wagner - The Flying Dutchman (Der Fliegende Hollander) / Backman, Behrens, Grundheber, Savonlinna Opera Festival Reviews
Turn Off The TV
What is the point of buying a DVD if you can't enjoy what you SEE as well as hear? I liked what I heard well enough, but visually, the production is stupid. The costuming is simply awful! Senta, for example, wears a silk and velvet dress (for spinning?!?) As has been mentioned in other reviews, the constant scenes of a pen and ink drawing of the Dutchman's ship superimposed over waves every time nobody is singing are more than annoying. The scenes of the (Finland's Olavinlinna)castle grounds at other points during the opera obviously have nothing to do with the story. The camera work is especially awful. Extreme close-ups of chorus members are pointless and the close-ups of main cast members are a mistake because of the heavy make-up they wear. Why the director decided to give the Steersman a fancy blanket for his nap is a mystery. Moreover, the Steersman's pawing over the treasure is a new story not invented by Wagner. If you want to film an opera in an outdoor setting, this is an example of how NOT to do it. We see the Dutchman's crew - they wear spandex outfits with nets over their faces - apparently the newest thing in attire for the dead. But, we see them entirely only when the carry the treasure chest for Daland to inspect. The rest of the time, we see only their arms waving through holes in their ship. What a strange thing for ghosts to do! The only thing worse that could happen to Wagner than Finland is Kupfer.
Not Perfect, But Definitely Worth It
I first purchased this DVD for two reasons. First, I was about to be in a production of Der Fliegende Hollander (in the chorus) and I wanted to get a feel for the story. Second, I wanted to hear Matti Salminen, the Finish Bass whose deep, sonorous voice is so compelling. Overall, I was not disappointed. This is a good production of one of Wagner's more accessible operas. The staging is different. Filmed inside of a Finish castle, it looks a bit odd at times. I would have preferred a more traditional stage, but I found myself getting used to it as the production went on.
Salminen is first rate as the captain and father, Daland. The hard walls of the castle really show off his resonance and power, and his acting is good (which is not always the case with many big name opera stars). Daland is really more of a supporting character in the opera, and Salminen handles it well without overshadowing the two main roles, Senta and the Dutchman.
Bass-Baritone, Franz Grundheber does a great job in the role of the tortured Dutchman. He has a power and presence that lends itself to the dark music and drama that this role demands. This is a role that can overwhelm lesser voices and actors, but Grundherber makes a believable, even sympathetic Dutchman. This is, to me, the true core of the character. He is more multi-leveled than many portray him. He is not a one-dimensional "baddy" but a sorrowful soul desperately seeking redemption.
I have other recordings with Hildegard Behrens and I must say, I have heard her better. But even with that, she is not bad and does a passable job as Senta. She is by no means a huge disappointment or a distraction, but I would say she is the weaker link in this phenomenal cast.
The chorus is also solid. The fishermen are hearty and lively and sing their chantey section quite well, and the women do an exceptional job with the "spinning chorus". I found the staging for the "ghosts" a bit odd, however. They are never actually seen, only as arms the wave from the hull of their ship. That is part of the production quality that I did find distracting. Since this was originally a television production, some of the quality and the choice of camera shots were questionable, if not down right dumb. There is lots of cutting away to graphic representations of the Dutchman's ship, which I thought looked corny.
Overall, I would recommend this DVD. It is, as I said, a great introduction to Wagner. It is a smaller opera by Wagnerian standards, the story is pretty straightforward (especially for Wagner) and the music is first rate. While not perfect, it is definitely worth it.
More Customer Reviews (11 total)
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