Jerusalem

Starring:Bill Gaither, Gloria Gaither, Homecoming Friends
Studio: Spring House / Emd
Product Type: DVD

Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen / Levine, Metropolitan Opera (Complete Ring Cycle)

Average customer rating:

Good enough, I'd say
Cinematic Wagner
Wagner's Opera, " The Ring " Cycle
Met's Ring Cycle
Great Introduction to the Ring

Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen / Levine, Metropolitan Opera (Complete Ring Cycle)
Starring: James Morris (IX) , Siegfried Jerusalem , Ekkehard Wlaschiha , Christa Ludwig , and MariAnne Häggander
Director: Brian Large
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Wagner - Parsifal / Levine, Weikl, Mazura, Metropolitan Opera
Verdi - Aida / Levine, Domingo, Millo, Metropolitan Opera
Wagner - Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg / Heppner, Mattila, Morris, Pape, Allen, Polenzani, Levine, Metropolitan Opera
Puccini - Turandot / Franco Zeffirelli - Marton, Domingo, Mitchell, Plishka, Cuenod - James Levine, MET (1988)
Wagner - Der Fliegende Hollander / Estes, Balslev, Salminen, Schunk, Schlemm, Clark, Nelsson, Bayreuth Opera

ASIN: B00006L9ZT
Release Date: 2002-11-12

Customer Reviews:

Good enough, I'd say.......2007-06-20

This Ring Cycle does *not* deserve three-and-a-half stars, so I'm trying to up the average--I'd prefer to give it four-and-a-half, but there we go.

There are minor quibbles which have been mentioned: no horses, the fact that the twins aren't very, well, twin-like--they're all true, but not enough to take a star off, that's for sure. All the problems with it are so minor I hardly noticed.

James Morris' Wotan is truly amazing, and Hildegard Behrens, though not perfect, is a decent enough Brunnhilde. But Siegfried Jerusalem as Siegfried troubled me (I think I've been spoiled by Alberto Remedios--listen to the ENO Ring Cycle recording of "Siegfried" after this and you'll get my point). Matti Salminen is a wonderful Hagen/Fafner, and the music is of course excellent. The voices range from fair to awe-inspiring. I'd recommend this to anyone who loves opera, or legends, or (like me) both.

Cinematic Wagner.......2007-06-20

Wagner's Ring is perhaps the greatest work of art ever, certainly the most brilliant accomplishment in the field of musical drama. I found this Met broadcast to be an entirely satisfying interpretation. I understand that some "Ringies" are disappointed with the straightforward approach, the lack of symbolism, but there is already enough symbolism in the story, the characters and the music for a month of Sundays. Don't get me wrong, I like abstract interpretations of the Ring(see my review of the Barcelona production), but sometimes you just want to sit back and enjoy the Ring on its own terms, without any frills, just be immersed in the mythological images and, most of all, the glorious music, and this Met production is perfect for that type of Ring experience. Otto Schenk's vision is appropriately cinematic, literally capturing Wagner's mythological world as the composer probably envisioned it, uncluttered by any modernist touches. And the results are often stunning. The gods' introduction to Valhalla at the end of Das Rheingold is one example, Wotan and company standing in the foreground, with a gorgeous rainbow spanning the gorge between them and their new home, a castle as grim and foreboding as it is beautiful. The conclusion of Gotterdammerung is equally impressive, with Schenck taking the term twilight of the gods quite literally as the whole stage crumbles to ruin against the backdrop of the Rhinemaidens retrieving their lost gold just before humanity arrives on the scene to look on in awe at the dethroned immortals. Only a few scenes are visually disappointing, including a pedestrian Ride of the Valkyries(sans horses) and uminspiring special effects to back up Wagner's very inspiring Magic Fire Music.

Musically, this is a grand performance. There are too many singers involved in the Ring to mention everyone, so I'll focus on the majors. James Morris is Wotan, and his experience in the role is invaluable to this performance. His deep and haunting voice conveys both introspection and compassion, and anger when necessary, although the viewer gets the feeling that with this Wotan, anger is seldom more than an affectation, he is more of a noble and thoughtful character than a god of fury. His scene with Brunnhilde at the end of Die Walkure is earthshattering. The appropriately named Siegfried Jerusalem is an ideal Siegfriend, dashing, energetic, brash, immature and passionate, with a voice capable of being both stentorian and lyrical. Hildegard Behrens' Brunnhilde didn't overwhelm me initially, but by the Immolation Scene in Gotterdammerung I was completely sold. Though she sings beautifully, and with a lot of passion, she isn't the most strong-voiced Brunnhilde you will ever hear, and if this were merely a sound recording it might have bothered me. But she is as much a physical actress as a vocal one, and you aren't likely to see anyone get into the character of Wotan's valiant lovechild as deeply as she does. Finally, Matti Salminen is Matti Salminen. Among contemporary basses, he owns the character of the half-Nibelung half-human Hagen, possibly my favorite character in the whole cycle, a fascinating study of a personality bred toward evil. No one else's voice, or face, is so perfect for projecting Hagen's unique form of tortured menace. It makes we want to see him as King Phillip in Don Carlo, so someone please get around to releasing one of those productions on DVD!

Finally, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra under James Levine is outstanding. I sometimes find Levine's conducting of Wagner(as well as Puccini) to be too slow, but here there are very few moments where I felt he was dwelling on the profundity of the music at the expense of the drama, he achieves a nearly perfect balance of these two qualities. All the motifs are explored to the fullest extent, and the result is a soundworld unlike any other.

Buying a complete Ring Cycle is a big investment, so it really depends on what you're looking for. I'm a huge fan of these Met releases, so I may be a bit prejudiced, but I would recommend this one over others(bearing in mind that the only other one I've seen is the Barcelong Ring which is also quite good, though totally different). For me, this one is a perfect fusion of image and music. The Ring is a long listening and viewing experience, sometimes even in the best hands this can lead to some awkward and, let's face it, tiresome stretches, but especially if the music and visuals aren't on track. Here, though, Levine and Schenk and company have achieved something magical, appropriately enough, more than that they have created a Ring that FLOWS, logically, dramatically, from beginning to end. My praise couldn't be any higher.

Wagner's Opera, " The Ring " Cycle.......2007-06-11

The longest Opera ever written is also one of the best ever written. The players are superb, as are their performances.
If you ever have an opportunity to see a performance live, take it.

Met's Ring Cycle.......2007-05-14

For me, this is the best Ring cycle I am aware of - excellent singing, staging, acting, James Levine direction, etc. It is a traditional staging, which I far prefer, with top singing in each role. I am a great fan of James Morris as Wotan and was highly satisfied with all other major roles. If you enjoy a traditional Ring cycle, you can't go wrong with this production.

Great Introduction to the Ring.......2007-05-12

Wonderful cast and spectacular sets. I am looking forward to attending a live performance and becoming what opera lovers call a "Ring Nut."

Wagner - Parsifal / Levine, Weikl, Mazura, Metropolitan Opera

Average customer rating:

gorgeous music
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING - An Exerience of Music and the Sacred
'Waltraud Meier' and 'Siegfried Jerusalem',are the stars!!!!
Onward and Upward!
The ring it's not but still very good

Wagner - Parsifal / Levine, Weikl, Mazura, Metropolitan Opera
Starring: Bernd Weikl , Jan-Hendrik Rootering , Kurt Moll , Franz Mazura , and Siegfried Jerusalem
Director: Brian Large
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Wagner - Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg / Heppner, Mattila, Morris, Pape, Allen, Polenzani, Levine, Metropolitan Opera
Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen / Levine, Metropolitan Opera (Complete Ring Cycle)
Wagner - Der Fliegende Hollander / Estes, Balslev, Salminen, Schunk, Schlemm, Clark, Nelsson, Bayreuth Opera
Wagner - Tannhauser / Richard Cassily, Eva Marton, Tatiana Troyanos, Bernd Weikl, John Macurdy, James Levine, Metropolitan Opera
Wagner - Tristan und Isolde / Heppner, Eaglen, Pape, Dalayman, Ketelsen, Metropolitan Opera

ASIN: B00006J9OV
Release Date: 2002-10-29

Customer Reviews:

gorgeous music.......2007-01-16

Parsifal is my favorite of Wagner's music-dramas. It has the most of all of them - Parsifal incorporates Catholic, Buddhist, and mythical themes into an overwhelmingly beautiful story infused throughout with a sense of devotion, piety, and worshipfulness.

The recording here is very good - Levine and the Met Opera Orchestra are in fine form as always. Siegfried Jerusalem makes a great Parsifal, Bernd Weikl makes a fine Amfortas (though I like Jose van Damm under Karajan better), and Waltraud Meier brings a wonderfully sensuous quality to the role of Kundry. Kurt Moll really steals the show though as far as singing is concerned, with an incomparable portrayal of Gurnemanz. The only complaint I can make about the singing is that Franz Mazura sounds really, REALLY old and doesn't successfully bring off the role of Klingsor.

The staging is very traditional - which seems to be hard to find these days - and the video quality is very good. The DVD menu allows for selections of running subtitles in several languages, including English.

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING - An Exerience of Music and the Sacred.......2004-07-05

For me anyhow - this is Wagner's greatest gift - even better than the the Nibelung. Having played excerpts form the opera in amauture orchestral venues -- I can say that this work is "Erlebnis" (Experience). At once Wagner captures the piety of medieval Europe (now but a dim memory in an almost completely secular place), the foundational reverence of the Holy Sacrament, and essence of Christian grace. All of this with combined with was has to be one of the most moving musical scores of German romanticism. And thank you Met. Opera and James Levine for both re-igniting TRADITIONAL Wagnerian vision/stagings (and not those rancid "revisionist" directions), and making such respectable again.

'Waltraud Meier' and 'Siegfried Jerusalem',are the stars!!!!.......2004-03-29

When I saw her name 'Waltraud Meier' listed,I said wow! I've seen her performance as 'Kundry' at 'Chor der Deutschen Staatsoper Berlin',conductor Daniel Barenboim. She again reprises her role as 'Kundry',last time with co-star 'Poul Elming'(as Parsifal),this time with 'Siegfried Jerusalem'(as Parsifal). Very mind blowing,under 'James Levine',we should get as good a performance as we got from conductor 'Daniel Barenboim'. Your awesome Waltraud Meier!!!!

Onward and Upward!.......2004-03-10

Some years back,a popular PBS crime series "Inspector Morse" ended. The inspector in question was a lover of opera and classical music. He suffered a sudden fatal heart attack. As he lay at peace in the hospital bed, the opening bars of the prelude to Wagner's Parsifal played. Momentarily,I was transcended. This ethereal music always has this effect on me.
I find only 2 problems with the acting in this drama. Vocally,the production is a masterpiece. Waltraud Mier's Kundry wasn't wild enough and Franz Mazura's Klingsor wasn't menacing enough.That said,on to the good stuff!
The great Kurt Moll as Gurnemanz is the standout here.His voice is so perfect and beautiful.I wish he had recorded a Wotan.
He is a fantastic Sarastro in DG "The Magic Flute".
ActIII is the one I most enjoyed. The healing of Amfortas and the ascension of the former "fool" Parsifal to power were breathtaking. With Wagner,it's so much more about the music than the vocals. This music is glorious. The Met Opera orchestra deserves special thanks for this tremendous achievement.

The ring it's not but still very good.......2004-01-05

I feel in love with opera after seeing Wagner's ring; the power held in opera and it's ability to communicate our human condition is rearly matched. Parsifal, like the Ring, was taken by Wagner from German lore; yet, the Ring is very much a pagan tale, with gods, elves and enchanments, while Parsifal has its roots in christian mythology and grail lore.

I purchesed Parsifal and, at first, had trobule getting into it (The way Albrich cursed love in Das Rhinegold can spoil you). As the opera went on though, its message and strength became more clear and potent. the essence of the story is the nature of the christan detity and the belief and hope of redemption from past sin. Amfortas, the one who must care for the grail, is a "spotted sheep" like Lancelot in the questa del grail. smote with a wound that will not heal (the Fisher king), he is the dammned man that can only be saved by grace and the deeds of an "innocent fool".

The plot of the wizard is purely medevil, yet the villan is given depth in that he is a fallen knight who tempts others with a sin he himself has not commited. He is 2nd to the temptresses that the knights face and the condemed woman saved by Parsifal. It is refreshing to see that, at one time, chasty and honor were in vouge.

Of course, there are many views on the meaning of the grail-one need look no farther than the mondern Da Vinic code, Indian Jones, or the ancient Quest de Grail (and who can forget the indepth research of Monty Python in to Grail lore?). But what I got from Wagner was the dualism of Christiany: the same God that can damn men to endless suffering-Amforas through his wound-also is their only hope of salvation-the grail and the spear. The death that saves (Christ) is symbolically the spear; it can give and take life.

Customer Reviews:

Music to Inspire.......2007-04-07

This CD is definitely my favorite of all the Gaither CD's. It is filled with emotional (mostly joyful) selections. It is very inspirational and moving.

Jerusalem.......2007-02-01

This Christian song DVD is excellent, impressive and great because all the singers are singing and performing enthusiastically and devotionally.
The content of the singing is very good in the context of Jerusalem .
I apreciate the excellent Gospel singers. I've been deeply touched with it.

Breathtaking.......2007-01-18

An amazing and terrific show of music and worship. The scenario, old Jerusalem, is breathtaking, the singers, the songs, the orchestra...wow.

A New Experience for Me.......2005-09-19

I've never been to a concert in my life. I've never even seen a concert on TV. That is, until I saw this Jerusalem DVD. It shows an entire Christian concert that took place in the city of Jerusalem itself. Jerusalem looked like a really neat place, with modern highways and a few old, old buildings. I'm talking OLD. The venue for the concert is one of these OLD places.

There's a whole variety of songs featured here. Some are very powerful and moving, focusing the overwhelming grace of God, and then there are other songs that are just plain fun like, "Hey Moses, Take Your Shoes Off." I think my favorite is, "Can't Stop Talking About Him," which is a song that's more on the fun side.

Most of the songs are original, but there are a few classics like, "It Is Well With My Soul." I really like those.

I am pleased with this Gaither product. It's really good if you want to see a group of Christians experiencing joy through musical worship.

On a side note, I kept thinking through the whole concert that one of the singers REALLY looked like the stereotypical picture of Jesus, with the beard and long hair and big smile. His hair was probably much more grey than Jesus's hair was though.

Another great Gaither video.......2005-07-31

Ok, simply put, this DVD is awesome!
From the opening song, Jerusalem by the Hoppers, all the way to the very end, this DVD is jam-packed with great songs that will keep you singing for hours!
Personal favorites would have to be
Jerusalem - Hoppers
Can't Stop Talking About Him - Brand new song by the Gaither Vocal Band featuring their new singer Marshall Hall (who by the way, is awesome!)
Walking In Jerusalem - Featuring Buddy Greene and the Isaacs (awesome harmony, fun song)
And of course, no Gaither video would be complete if Mark Lowry didn't show up! He sings a hilarious song called Shalom, Ya'll that is both entertaining, and in some ways, very true.
A must have for any Gaither fan, or a great first-time experience!
Also check out it's sequel, Israel Homecoming

Wagner - Siegfried / Siegfried Jerusalem, John Tomlinson, Anne Evans, Graham Clarke, Daniel Barenboim, Bayreuth Opera

Average customer rating:

Music Drama Marathon
Just bought it, wrong code
Mesmerizing and superb!
REJOICE!!!
AMAZING!

Wagner - Siegfried / Siegfried Jerusalem, John Tomlinson, Anne Evans, Graham Clarke, Daniel Barenboim, Bayreuth Opera
Starring: Siegfried Jerusalem , Graham Clarke (II) , John Tomlinson , Günter von Kannen , and Philip Kang
Director: Horant H. Hohlfeld
Manufacturer: Warner Classics
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Wagner - Gotterdammerung
Wagner - Das Rheingold / Tomlinson, Clarke, Holle, Finnie, Johansson, von Kannen, Svenden, Barenboim, Bayreuth Opera
Wagner - Die Walkure / Secunde, Elming, Tomlinson, Evans, Holle, Finnie, Close, Johansson, Kupfer, Barenboim, Bayreuth Opera
Wagner - Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg / Bernd Weikl, Siegfried Jerusalem, MariAnne Haggander, Hermann Prey, Graham Clark, Matthias Holle, Horst Stein, Bayreuth Opera
Rimsky-Korsakov - Sadko / Vladimir Galouzine, Gegam Grigorian, Sergei Alexashkin, Larissa Diadkova, Nikolai Putilin, Valery Gergiev, Kirov Opera

ASIN: B000F8ZNA4
Release Date: 2006-09-12

Description

This legendary production of Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen, directed by Harry Kupfer at Bayreuth Festival Opera and conducted by Daniel Barenboim, is considered one of the greatest productions of this titanic work ever staged. One of the most exciting aspects of this release is the format, which is genuine 16:9 widescreen from the original HDTV 1250 recording, one of the first Hi-Definition recordings made in Europe. There is also surround sound from tapes made at the original recording by UNITEL. Region Code Corrected. Will play in all US DVD players.

Customer Reviews:

Music Drama Marathon.......2007-06-06

I have listened for years to the orchestral suites taken from Wagner's operas. Thanks to Netflix I now get to watch the actual operas. Netflix has the Boulez and the Barenboim complete ring cycles plus one or two of the ring operas with Levine and the MET. The Boulez cycle has modern sets and costumes with toned down music. Barenboim's features modern sets/costumes with traditional music. I enjoyed both renditions, but I really enjoy the traditional Wagner music that is not toned down. Barenboim does a great job with the music. The performers and their singing are excellent in each and the production/sound qualities are very good. The DVDs also let you chop up this 14 hour event into bite size chunks. The music by Barenboim is on par with my Stokowski and Klemperer Wagner Orchestra Suites lps (in other words, tremendous). Barenboim has much experience with this style of Classical/Romanantic music from the 1800s including two complete Bruckner (who was a disciple of Wagner) symphony cycles.

I greatly appreciate the English subtitles. Otherwise, it would be like watching South Pacific or the Sound of Music in German or going to Mass (in Latin) in the 1960s I have not seen a traditional performance of the ring so I cannot compare/contrast traditional with modern. Being able to watch plus the subtitles is a tremendous improvement over cds (or in my case) lps. Wagner's music dramas offer great music and a very thought provoking story lines involving issues of mortality and morality.

Just bought it, wrong code.......2007-01-09

I just purchased this dvd, granted it was from Caimon, and it was the wrong code despite listing otherwise. I would make sure before ordering

Mesmerizing and superb! .......2006-10-31

The hovering approach of this Gotterdammenung has been extraordinarily conceived; there is no wasted little detail, and the DVD allows to watch and to observe much more than words can say.

The death of Siegfried is a real breakthrough. And its enormous significance trascends the limits of the stage. The merciless depiction of these personages has to do with the actual world; that may produce a disturbing sensation but that's the way it was.

All the cast is fabulopus. Tomlimsom displays a memorable character as Wotan; and Barenboim from the podium is extraordinary too.

If you really want to be immersed in the mythic roots of this engaging and captivating cosmovision, do not hesitate to acquire it.

REJOICE!!!.......2006-09-28

Siegfried is now available formatted for North America. I wish Amazon would remove those reviews which state otherwise, because the situation has obviously changed. I hope no one will be put off buying this by fear of not being able to play it.

The Kupfer/Barenboim RING is, in my opinion, musically, dramatically and conceptually the best currently available. Bring on Gotterdammerung.

AMAZING!.......2006-09-25

I haven't seen all of this DVD yet, but what I've viewed is superb. This will surely be the best complete RING available on DVD once GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG comes out in December. I have an all-region DVD player, so I'm not having any problems with regions or formats these days. Highly recommended!

Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen / Pierre Boulez, Bayreuth Opera (Complete Ring Cycle, Parts 1-4)

Average customer rating:

TWO MAJOR DEFECTS MAR AN OTHERWISE SPLENDID PRODUCTION
The Best Video Staging of Wagner's Ring
Modern staging that makes sense

Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen / Pierre Boulez, Bayreuth Opera (Complete Ring Cycle, Parts 1-4)
Starring: Matti Salminen , Fritz Hübner , Marga Schiml , Helmut Pampuch , and Ilse Gramatzki
Director: Brian Large
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Wagner - Der Fliegende Hollander / Estes, Balslev, Salminen, Schunk, Schlemm, Clark, Nelsson, Bayreuth Opera
Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen / Levine, Metropolitan Opera (Complete Ring Cycle)
Wagner - Tristan und Isolde / Heppner, Eaglen, Pape, Dalayman, Ketelsen, Metropolitan Opera
Wagner - Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg / Bernd Weikl, Siegfried Jerusalem, MariAnne Haggander, Hermann Prey, Graham Clark, Matthias Holle, Horst Stein, Bayreuth Opera
Strauss - Der Rosenkavalier / Gwyneth Jones, Brigitte Fassbaender, Lucia Popp, Manfred Jungwirth, Benno Kusche, Carlos Kleiber, Munich Opera

ASIN: B0009F2EPU
Release Date: 2005-10-11

Amazon.com

The first opera (the prologue) in Wagner's Ring Cycle, Das Rheingold, is a beautifully conducted and thoughtfully staged performance. As soon as the clouds of mist have dissipated, while the daring, long-held opening chord is still reverberating, the screen clears to show not only the River Rhine and the three maidens (dressed like prostitutes in this production) assigned to guard the gold hidden there. It also shows an enormous dam (not mentioned in Wagner's text). This is the underwater base of a hydroelectric plant, and its presence tells us two things immediately: that this production takes the story out of the vaguely medieval fantasy world in which Wagner had placed it, and that a basic theme of the four-opera cycle would be power. Alberich, the Nibelung, is willing to renounce the love of women, after stealing the gold from the Rhine, to become the ruler of the world. Another basic theme is greed. The cast is uniformly excellent. The approach of stage director Patrice Chereau carefully balances realism, symbolism, and fantasy. The two giants (Matti Salminen and Fritz Hübner) tower over the gods who are waiting to enter the newly constructed Valhalla; Loge (brilliantly played by Heinz Zednick) appears in a burst of flame; the subterranean lair of the Nibelungs looks something like a prison and something like a mass-production sweatshop. In contrast, the gods look like members of a rather aimless leisure class. Freia, the goddess of youth (Carmen Reppel), whose fate is one of the basic items in the plot, is presented as a lovely but helpless beauty queen. Pierre Boulez conducts this episode. like the entire cycle, with power and precision.

Wagner's ideas of "racial purity" reach a logical conclusion in Act I of Die Walküre. Siegfried, the tragic hero of the cycle, is begotten in an adulterous, incestuous mating of Siegmund (Peter Hoffmann) and Sieglinde (Jeanne Altmeyer), a twin brother and sister. No miscegenation here. Siegfried will not be seen until the next opera in the cycle. For now, the Valkyries (after their famous, musically spectacular ride) are asked to protect Sieglinde, his pregnant mother-to-be, until he can be born. His father is killed in a fight with Hunding, Sieglinde's brutish husband, with Wotan intervening against his will to help the wronged spouse. Wotan has been forced by his wife Fricka, who is the goddess of marriage, elegantly played by Hanna Schwartz. Her victory is a striking display of Wotan's diminishing powers. Brunnhilde, Wotan's daughter and leader of the Valkyries (Gwyneth Jones), disobeys a paternal prohibition, rescues Sieglinde and hides her in safety to wait out her pregnancy. For this, she is punished by losing her divine status and being left asleep for years, surrounded by a circle of magic fire, until a hero (Siegfried, who has not yet been born) will come to rescue her. This episode is extremely well-sung, with particularly notable work by Hoffmann, Altmeyer, Schwartz, Jones and Donald McIntyre as Wotan, while conductor Pierre Boulez and director Patrice Chéreau work smoothly together to define the opera's overall form and continuity.

Siegfried is the most eventful of the four Ring operas: the hero of the cycle grows to maturity, forges his father's broken sword Notung, kills the dragon Fafner and the dwarf Mime, takes the cursed ring, frees Brunnhilde from the spell that has kept her asleep, and falls in love with her. It is all presented, powerfully and as efficiently as the self-indulgent text will permit. Not seen in the cycle's previous operas are Manfred Jung (Siegfried) and Norma Sharp (the Forest Bird), the central figure of the cycle and one of the most peripheral. Sharp is lovely in her brief appearance. Jung is the most controversial bit of casting in the cycle; his voice and acting have been criticized, but they seem to be up to the standard for this role, Perhaps the criticism really applies to Siegfried, who is neither intelligent nor compassionate, but a naive youth who knows nothing of the world and has never seen a woman. Jung conveys these qualities effectively. Wagner's ideal hero turns out to be a bit of a proto-Nazi in his own naive way, swaggering arrogantly, killing the dragon Fafner and the dwarf Mime with hardly a second thought, and blithely assuming that he deserves all the good fortune that comes his way. Wagner may have thought he was inventing another sort of hero, but this Siegfried rather faithfully reflects his creator's personality. Jung's characterization faithfully follows the text of the opera and it is compelling for those who can take their Wagner without illusions, those who have come to terms, for example, with the self-centered, unsympathetic personality that emerges from his wife Cosima's voluminous and blindly adoring diaries.

According to director Patrice Chereau, "Götterdämmerung undoubtedly presents a world in which no values exist any more... a world in which it is difficult for anyone to believe in anything any longer." It is truly, as its title proclaims, "The twilight of the gods." Siegfried is tricked, drugged, and treacherously murdered by power-hungry humans, deceived into betraying Brunnhilde, who remains faithful without hope. An air of weariness and decadence pervades the action and much of the music (though the score includes two of Wagner's finest instrumental inventions: Siegfried's Rhine journey and his funeral music.) A new note is the introduction of a chorus of humans (effectively used by Chereau) for the first time in the cycle. The heyday of the gods is over; now, world domination is sought by a human family, the Gibichungs. The cursed ring is stolen from Brunnhilde, who has kept it as a token of Siegfried's love. Siegfried, who has taken the ring in disguise, has been drugged and deceived into wooing Gutrune, a Gibichung. Brunnhilde is forced to marry Gunther, another Gibichung, but still faithful to Siegfried she commits suicide on his funeral pyre. The fire spreads to destroy Valhalla. The ring, snatched from Siegfried's dead hand, is dropped into the Rhine, where it is restored to its rightful place, and the situation returns to the normality of the time before Das Rheingold. The Gibichungs, new to the cycle, are well-portrayed by Franz Mazura and Jeanne Altmeyer, and Fritz Hübner is impressive as the treacherous Hagen. Gwemdolyn Killibrew stands out as Brunnhilde's ally Waltraute. As always, Pierre Boulez conducts with a clear vision of the total work. --Joe McLellan

Customer Reviews:

TWO MAJOR DEFECTS MAR AN OTHERWISE SPLENDID PRODUCTION.......2006-07-02

I enjoyed this Ring cycle a great deal, but I had two huge problems with it. First, this Ring cycle rips all four installments out of their mythological context and sets them in the 19th century. The result is an absurd mish-mash of mythological and realistic elements that obscures the cycle's meaning and, above all, its magic. Take the great set-piece with Hagen's men in "Gotterdammerung." Hagen's vassals are here a citizen militia rounded up from the local proletariat. How absurd is the sight of these French-looking working class townspeople singing in German and wielding long, primitive spears while being instructed by Hagen, dressed in suit and tie, to "kill a boar for Froh, and sacrifice a goat to Donner, but slaughter sheep for Fricka"? What are these mythological gods doing in this setting, and why are 19th century working class people sacrificing to them? Or take Siegfried: in one scene he's dashing about with his sword and hunting horn while in the next he's elegantly strolling about in a tuxedo. The result is ridiculous. The sets are equal parts realism and surrealism, making for a confused locale. The hunting scene where Siegfried is murdered by Hagen happens in front of a drab, industrial-looking hydraulic damn. Are we in industrial France, in pastoral Germany, in the legendary world of mythology, or in some strange hybrid dimension that weaves in and out of all three? The result is neither one thing nor the other, very half-baked and confusing. According to Chereau, the director, he was working from two principles. First, being primarily a director of nonoperatic theater, he wanted to intensify the music drama's dramaturgical elements--which in my opinion he does splendidly for the most part. For example, the emotionally charged finale where Brunnhilde has the body of Siegfried burned and jumps into the flames is wonderfully staged; I couldn't have asked for better. (Although I did have some problems earlier in the cycle with the lovers rolling around on the floor, and with some excessively histrionic hand gestures that I found unnecessary.) But Chereau is led astray by his second working principle. He explains in the documentary (it's part of the box set and worth watching), "Wagner used mythology to tell the story of his time, the politics of his time." Starting from this (in my view dangerous) premise, Chereau brings out the latent political content that he (Chereau) claims is implicit in the text. I feel this is where Chereau gets it terribly wrong. As I understand it, Wagner's main concern was in creating archetypes rather than "real" people in "real" contemporary settings. The Ring cycle is not "verismo." If Wagner wanted to set the Ring in his own time and place, he would have done so. Wagner wasn't shooting for "realism," but Chereau IS shooting for it (hence so many of the conflicting tendencies of his production). It's very unfair for Chereau to categorically state that Wagner's "real" intention was to tell the political story of the late nineteenth century, as though the mythology were merely a vehicle or an expendable by-product. On the contrary, Wagner wanted to do away with the usual settings of so much 19th century opera. Making the Ring about the class warfare and ills of the industrial revolution sinks the play into the morass of a politics that is certainly more Chereau's than Wagner's. While a reaction against the industrialization of society is surely implicit in Wagner's romanticism, Chereau inadvertently undermines it by replacing so much of the nature scenery with industrial realism. He has the Rhinemaidens literally crawling out of the gutter (as prostitutes), rather than simply letting them personify the Rhine. Another problem with this Ring cycle is the casting of Siegfried, who here looks more like a middle-aged Barney Rubble from "The Flintstones" than a young mythological hero. Manfred Jung, who plays Siegfried, has a great voice, but lacks the stage presence to pull off the role. The result is a Siegfried that is more comic than heroic, though I do recognize that I'm being a bit unfair to Mr. Jung as my objection to him has more to do with his appearance than with his formidable vocal talent. If this had been audio-only, I might not have objected to him. However, despite its setbacks, this production still holds its own, thanks above all to the strong cast and the inspired conducting of Pierre Boulez, one of the greatest conductors of our time. Except for Siegfried, there is no weak link in the cast. Gwyneth Jones, as Brunnhilde, brings an otherwordly quality that is just what the part requires. On a technical audio-visual level, this set is great. It's visually stunning and the sound isn't bad, although I've heard better done in the '70s. I used my amped Sennheiser 650 headphones and it sounded fine. If the production had stuck to a mythological setting and not tried to transpose it to the 19th century, making it about the class struggle between the aristocracy and bourgeoisie and then between the bourgeoisie and proleteriat, and if it had cast a better Siegfried, I would undoubtedly be giving this Ring cycle five solid stars. As it is, it's definitely worth watching and even owning, but remains muddled in artistic conception as far as its staging is concerned. On the other hand, many people like the updated setting, so it's a matter of personal taste and choice and not of production value as the quality of this production is undoubtedly high.

The Best Video Staging of Wagner's Ring.......2006-03-14

As much as this production detracts from the teutonic tradition that Wagner designed the Ring for, this centenniary production of the Ring with Patrice Chereau as the director, Pierre Boulez as conductor, and Brian Large as the very talented producer, is possibly the best in the market. No, it doesn't have a cast that has the dimension and experience of the Solti or Karajan rings, but without a doubt, it is the most visually engaging and dramatically correct rendition of Wagner's tetralogy. Others would say that the Levine Ring provides the most traditional and faithful production with respect to Wagner's score, and I have no doubts that the sets used in the Met are very beautiful. This set, however, changes the concept from a legendary setting of mountains and god-palaces to a more French social hierarchy environment. The interpretation makes sense, but it isn't only this which makes this Ring come to life. It is the involvement of a very talented conductor and a cast of marvelous singers which make this Ring a most memorable moment.

Donald McIntyre may not have Hans Hotter's great voice or James Morris' great bel canto interpretation of Wotan's role, but it certainly exudes a nobility and a richness absent from other recordings. Gwyneth Jones is a marvelous Brunnhilde. For her alone would I see this Ring day after day. It is note perfect, powerful, and very dramatic. I'd say that she has the best Brunnhilde overall of the ones I've heard.

Modern staging that makes sense.......2006-01-04

The first part of this Ring I owned was Gotterdammerung. In that production I noticed that the story, the impact of the drama, was made by the staging of Patrice Chereau and the acting prestations in the first place followed by the vocal performances of the singers. A kind of the other around considering the premise of opera. Having seen all four parts of the Boulez-Ring I stay with that first impression. Expecially Gwyneth Jones and Donald McIntyre are far better actors then they are singers. Their voices cannot bare the weight of the drama required in Die Walkure Act 3 (Brunnhilde and Wotan) and Gotterdammerung Act 3 (Brunnhilde)for example.

The staging, however, is superb. The great thing from this production is that Chereau, not just ripped Wagners Ring from the old German mythology, but replaced it with a world that looks like a combination of Jules Verne and ancient Greek in which an insight in the characters and their motives are given in a way that I did not see before. It is as accessible as an average arthouse movie. Many modern staging just seem to want to get away from the old bearskins and teuton heroism so much that nothing else is offered instead (except leaving the audience with Brunnhilde looking like Christiane F. for instance - Stuttgarter Opera). What I appreciated in the world of the Chereau Ring is it's own atmosphere and use of images and elements that are not just post-modern but also functional. The Wotan-monologue in Act 2 from Die Walkure and the love-duet from Act 3 between Siegfried and Brunnhilde are so cleverly directed that every line sung here is important instead of just asking time from the audience.

Another big plus for me is the conductorship of Pierre Boulez. Fast without rushing, modern with great insight, he lets the music do its work. Personally I prefer that very much over conductors who emphasis to much on the so called dramatic moments and by that destroying the natural flow of the music. With his approach Boulez shows us the richness of Wagners score, instead of converting it into something more one-dimensional.

This is a great Ring cycle and I think a great version to have if you are interested in owning a Ring on DVD.

Average customer rating:

A haunting portrait of Jewish sisters
"A Fantasy Of Fusion" ~ Concerning Thought, Belief, God And The Continuity Of Tradition

La Petite Jerusalem
Starring: Fanny Valette , Elsa Zylberstein , Bruno Todeschini , Hédi Tillette de Clermont-Tonerre , and Sonia Tahar
Director: Karin Albou
Manufacturer: Kino Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Gloomy Sunday
L' enfant
House of Sand (Widescreen)
Joyeux Noel (Widescreen)
Volver

ASIN: B000G1ALQG
Release Date: 2006-09-12

Customer Reviews:

A haunting portrait of Jewish sisters.......2007-04-25

Writer/director Karin Albou's LA PETITE JERUSALEM (2005, Israeli) is a lovely and priviledged glimpse into the world of Hasidic Jews living in a Paris suburb called "Little Jerusalem". Specifically, the movie is about two likeable and very different sisters. The younger, Laura (Fanny Vanettte), is orthodox, quiet, and into philosophy; she believes Kant's teachings matter more than the Talmud. Her older sister, Mathilde Elsa Zyberstein), is married with four children. She is much more free and liberal, but terrified that her husband Ariel (Bruno Todeschini) is seeing another woman. Actually, Ariel is sexually unfulfilled and having sex with another woman because he does not want to hurt Mathilde by asking her to do sexual things she is uncomfortable doing (like maybe oral sex or genital touching). Should she divorce him? What does the Talmud say about adultery?

Laura is so involved with her philosophy books that she doesn't know what to do when a Moslem journalist named Djamel falls for her. The two tentatively go to bed, but Laura is terrified of "touching" Djamel or doing anything sexually advanced. She confers with her mother and a rabbi on what is allowed sexually in the Orthodox Jewish faith. Complicating matters is that Djamel's parents silently loathe Laura as a strict Jew. They will not consider a marriage with Djamel unless Laura converts to the Muslim religion, which Laura seemingly and gratifyingly cannot bring herself to do.

I sense a breakup with Laura and Djamel at the end, which satisfies me because I care immensely about Laura's happiness and don't care much for grungy Djamel. As for Mathilde, she also confers with a rabbi about sex and discusses the issue with husband Ariel. She will learn to please him sexually so that he does not want to be with any other woman.

LA PETITE JERUSALEM ("Little Jerusalem") is a sensitive and poignant character study done with great sensitivity and honesty. Beautifully photographed on location in suburban Paris, the movie has wonderful performances and insightful writing. The film lets the audience into a world seldom seen by Americans, even American Jews. I am excited by what Karin Albou and her talented cast do next cinematically. The movie is in French and Hebrew, with English subtitles.

"A Fantasy Of Fusion" ~ Concerning Thought, Belief, God And The Continuity Of Tradition.......2007-03-31

Note: French and Hebrew with English subtitles.

`La Petite Jerusalem' released in '05 is an intelligent, thoughtful and articulate exploration of the question "What is reason capable of." In the context of this film it appears to be capable of luring Laura (Fanny Valette), an educated free thinking philosophy student out of the protective confines of her Orthodox Jewish community and blantantly defying its traditions to pursue a romantic relationship with a Moslem co-worker. While most of the ensuing chaos that occurs over such a relationship is predictable, the ongoing philosophical/religious debate between Laura and her trusted confidant Mathilde (Elsa Zylberstein) are quite penetrating and insightful. Those sequences along with the subplot concerning Mathilde and her struggle to faithfully follow the teachings of the Torah while adequately fulfilling her husbands physical desires are my favorite moments in the film.

`La Petite Jerusalem' provides a fascinating peek into modern Jewish culture which makes it definitely worth a watch whether you're of the Jewish persuasion or not.

Gnosis, the Secret of Solomon's Temple Revealed

Average customer rating:

GNOSIS, THE SECRET OF SOLOMON'S TEMPLE REVEALED
Some little gnostic ideas with lots of unpleasant music!
Fair...Not Fine
Superb images, superb tale
Good info, bad production!

Gnosis, the Secret of Solomon's Temple Revealed

Manufacturer: CustomFlix
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Secrets of the Serpent: In Search of the Sacred Past
Forbidden Knowledge Conference UK 2006 (FKCUK)
Gnosis: The Secret of Solomon's Temple Revealed
National Treasures: Signs & Symbols of the U.S. Founding Fathers
Secrets of Alchemy - The Great Cross and the End of Time by Jay Weidner

ASIN: B000IMVO4Q
Release Date: 2006-09-18

Description

Philip Gardiner is a best selling UK author who has been researching the world of the esoteric for over 15 years. His critically acclaimed books include: "Proof, Does God Exist?", "The Shining Ones", "The Serpent Grail" and "Secrets of the Serpent, In Search of the Sacred Past". With his new DVD, "Gnosis: The Secret of Solomon's Temple Revealed," Gardiner proposes that not only didn't Solomon's Temple exist as we know it, but in fact had a much deeper significance. Gnosis, the Secret of Solomon's Temple Revealed- Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, reputed to be the source of the most esoteric knowledge in human history-has fascinated scholars, seekers and dreamers for centuries. For generations, scholars and researchers have tried in vain to discover the fabled Temple of Solomon, only to be confronted by one problem after another. From the Queen of Sheba and the arcane secrets of the Christian Gnostics to the Muslim Sufi and Hindu Avatars, Gnosis weaves a tale that is both profound and precise. Gardiner declares that the truth of Solomon's Temple has been known all along within the realm of esoteric understanding. Only one question remains: Is the world ready for the truth? Find the true secret of the Knights Templar and the mysteries of the ancients. Find the truth for yourself in Gnosis. This is the story that has been kept from the ears of mankind for too long. You cannot truly live until you have Gnosis. * Reveals the real secrets brought back by the infamous Knight's Templar * The truth at the heart of ancient Freemasonry * The truth behind the real Grail and the Da Vinci Code * Who were Solomon and Sheba? * The secret of Solomon's Temple * The ancient and sacred nature of our quantum existence Gnosis, the Secret of Solomon's Temple DVD, 57 minutes, RYE 1001

Customer Reviews:

GNOSIS, THE SECRET OF SOLOMON'S TEMPLE REVEALED.......2007-05-25

I THINK THE ACTIONAL DVD HAD ALOT GOOD IMFORMATION,BUT THE MUSICAL BACK DROP DEFEATED THE HOLD PURPOSE OF THE DVD,I PERSONALLY COULD NOT ENJOY IT AT ALL BECAUSE OF THE MUSIC, IT WAS TO LOUD AND THE SELECTION JUST DIDN'T BELONG TO THE DVD...

Some little gnostic ideas with lots of unpleasant music!.......2007-01-14

Well, I must say that the DVD has many aspects:

1. Most of the music is absolutely annoying and horrible for a topic such as gnosticism. Furthermore, the volume of the music itself sometimes does not allow us to listen clearly to the words of the narrator.

2. Everything in reduced to this: GNOSIS is an alectromagnetic experience with the quantum universe that lies within the self. Hence, to be illuminated by Christ or to be a Buddha is just to achieve an electromagnetic condition offered by the union with the Universal Mind and the kundalini in us.

3. The narratror fails to expose a very important and key idea: there are TWO types of kundalini and two main centers in the human body. He never speaks of the Kundalini of the Heart. He speaks only of the lower kindalini, the one responsible for the human sexuality.

4. Anyway, it is worth to watch the DVD once. But be prepare to endure a very disgusting and annoying music that hides the most important thing: the words of the narrator! Too much especualtion, at the end.

It is sad that there is not yet in the market a good DVD on GNOSIS or Gnosticism, made with ellegance, fair scientifical research and seriousness, without any music at all as the background.

This DVD is an excellent example of how annoying can music be!

Fair...Not Fine.......2007-01-12

Too much annoying music (played at such a volume) that you can barely hear what the narrator is saying.

Very little real insight (or information) on Gnosis.

Not very long (that could be bad or good).

If one didn't know any better, you would have thought you were watching an MTV Music Video by a band named "Gnosis".

A pity...since a serious (in depth) video on Gnosis and the history of Gnosticism is greatly desired (and needed).

Superb images, superb tale.......2006-11-12

Anybody watching this who does not love the beautiful imagery, wonderful underscored music and great narration must be blind, deaf and well, daft. This is a work of art which is why it won an award and as a work of Art I suppose it can be a subjective opinion on its merits. I loved every second and have watched it again and again and again. I have now bought Secrets of the Serpent, and to be honest, it's much better, but both are brilliant.

Good info, bad production!.......2006-11-10

I had to stop the DVD about 15 min into it.

The information seems to be extremely interesting as I have been working on this thought process for years. I anxiously waited for the DVD to arrive to see what the author had to say about this topic. Unfortunately, the audio and visual quality of the material was too distracting from the presentation. I was expecting something like a Discovery or History Channel type production with images and historical facts to backup the presented material.

Instead, the "music" is horrible, too loud, and it's hard to undertand what the author is saying in places, and the images are a constant collage of the author walking through museums and other places overlayed with images of artifacts to the point of sheer boredoom. There seems to be no purpose of the images other than to fill the screen with something. They may mean something in the author's mind, but how about explaining them to us. After 15 min of this, I had all I could take. I plan to send this back and order the book instead.

I think the content is going to be good. But the production needs a complete rework, better yet, just make an audio CD with no music or at least dead quiet while the author is speaking! If you can get past the distractions, you might enjoy this DVD.

National Geographic - Secrets of Jerusalem's Holiest Sites

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National Geographic - Secrets of Jerusalem's Holiest Sites
Starring: National Geographic
Manufacturer: Nat'l Geographic Vid
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Gates of Jerusalem
The Holy Land Revealed
Jerusalem, the Covenant City
Exploring Jordan and Israel
Secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls

ASIN: B000KJU1EQ
Release Date: 2007-02-27

Description

Secrets of Jerusalem's Holiest Sites takes us on a journey into one of the most sacred places on Earth dating back to biblical times. It is the most hotly contested piece of real estate on the planet and its name alone is enough to spark riots across the Middle East. Known as the Temple Mount to Jews and Christians and as the Noble Sanctuary to Muslims, it is so sacred to all three religions that followers willingly die for it.

Average customer rating:

A piece of collection
No stars justified
horrible sound
"today is my moment"
Ultimately the best you could ever watch

Live in Jerusalem
Starring: Julio Iglesias
Manufacturer: Xenon
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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En Espana
Starry Night - Live in Greek Theater in Los Angeles.
Grandes Exitos en Video
Julio Iglesias - My Life: Greatest Hits
Julio Iglesias: The 24 Greatest Songs

ASIN: B00008OSDY
Release Date: 2003-06-03

Description

Classic performance from the peak of his career.

Customer Reviews:

A piece of collection.......2006-06-22

This DVD is only a great tv show of 1981. Julio Iglesias is a living legend, then, if you are a julio's fan, this is one more DVD collection

No stars justified.......2005-03-10

This DVD runs for 48 minutes, including the pre-show lead-up and sound check. The question is would Julio with a cast and crew of over 40 musicians and singers, plus technical support take the time and expense to go to Jerusalem and set up there to put on a concert of only 40 minutes. Not likely, so why only put 40 minutes of concert on the DVD ?
The sound is absolutely bad. The violin sound is rough and grating, not like the string sound in Julio's CD's. The only time we see a cello is during the sound check in the pre-amble. During the show we see the strings and harp only from a distance. Even the brass and saxophones make no impact. Only the rhythm section is kept busy, and even then the bass does not get heard.
Normally this reviewer would complain that in an orchestra of 40 with 18 strings, this is not enough strings, but in this case, the point is only theoretical - absolutely nothing is in balance.
We see so many close-ups of women crying - probably because they could not hear anything after taking the time and expense to go to this show, and shiver through what must have been an unseasonably cold evening in Jerusalem going by the number of blankets and coats seen in the audience.

The money and expertise used to produce this DVD could have been used much more effectively on other Julio material - so much is available, and still being created. If you want to present old history, at least do a better job of it.

horrible sound.......2004-11-09

i'm a great fan of Julio Iglesias, but this DVD should never have been released with an absolutely apalling sound quality as well as a poor selection of songs. I'm totally amazed any producer would put such poor sound quality on a DVD.

"today is my moment".......2004-09-08

Julio Iglesias was thrilled to sing in the historic Sultan's Pool Amphitheater in Jerusalem, in 1981, and felt that the day was "his moment", a peak in his career, and it truly is a glorious setting for a man in the prime of his life, and fullness of voice. He looks good in an exquisitely tailored black suit and tie, and his voice is smooth and delightful.
A unique song stylist, Julio has sold more records world-wide than practically any other artist; his music is relaxing and for those who like musica romantica, he is one of its greatest interpreters.
Though this concert was filmed over 2 decades ago, it does not seem dated (except for the hairstyles). These are Julio classics, yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Julio is backed by a top-notch orchestra and 4 lovely singing ladies, the audio has been remastered and is very good, and total running time is an all too short 50 minutes.
The song list on the cover however, is missing two songs. The complete song list is:
"Con Una Pinta Asi"
"El Amor"
"Si Me Dejas, No Vale"
"33 Años"
"De Niña a Mujer"
Medley: "Moliendo Café" & "La Ragazza di Ypacaral"
Medley: "theme from Black Orpheus" & "Alma Llanera"
"Quiereme Mucho"
"Pobre Diablo"
"Hey !"
"Guantanamera".

Ultimately the best you could ever watch.......2004-03-04

Eventhough there are only 11 songs, but worth every minute of it, Julio Iglesias is a living legend, i reccomend everyone to purchase this piece of clasical treasure.
You will defenatley enjoy it if you are a fan.

Average customer rating:

ogtterdammerung
Save us from "Significant" direction
Yet another outstanding Ring - but a lack of focus at the end.
Masterful!

Wagner - Gotterdammerung
Starring: Daniel Barenboim , Siegfried Jerusalem , Anne Evans , Waltraud Meier , and Bodo Brinkmann
Director: Harry Kupfer
Manufacturer: Warner Classics
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Wagner - Siegfried / Siegfried Jerusalem, John Tomlinson, Anne Evans, Graham Clarke, Daniel Barenboim, Bayreuth Opera
Wagner - Das Rheingold / Tomlinson, Clarke, Holle, Finnie, Johansson, von Kannen, Svenden, Barenboim, Bayreuth Opera
Wagner - Die Walkure / Secunde, Elming, Tomlinson, Evans, Holle, Finnie, Close, Johansson, Kupfer, Barenboim, Bayreuth Opera
Wagner - Lohengrin
Beethoven - Fidelio

ASIN: B000GKH25A
Release Date: 2007-01-09

Description

The world-class cast for Gotterdammerung is led by Siegfried Jerusalen as Siegfried, Anne Evans as Brunnhilde, Bodo Brinkmann as Gunther, Philip Kang as Hagen, Gunter von Kannen as Alberich, Eva-Maria Bundschuh as Gutrune, and Waltraud Meier as Waltraute.

Customer Reviews:

ogtterdammerung.......2007-06-08

This recording was fine. I want to write on the copy of Siegfried that I ordered from you. The DVD had obviously been repackaged. The warning and bar code tapes over the sides of the case were missing. Also, the disc sequence was different - side two was in the front holder and side one in the back. This has nothing to do with the quality but it does show that someone was playing around. I also received a message that I had the wrong region code DVD. All in all, it was very disappointing performance on your part and resulted in a loss of trust in purchasing from you. Clarence Bruce

Save us from "Significant" direction.......2007-01-28

There is much to admire about this production. The singing is almost without exception on a very high level as is the orchestral playing. All the characters look their parts except the dwarf Alberich (maybe he's just big for his age) In the main Kupfer's penchant for keeping the characters moving does serve the drama although at a certain point one tires of all that lurching about. It begins to seem like all the characters are on the verge of attacking each other at any moment. By the time you've seen all of the Ring Cycle and get to Gotterdammerung Siegfried's silliness becomes a bit overdone. He seems more an empty headed jock than a hero of heros. Still, one could just justify it all. But then, at the very end of the opera, he throws in somthing so stupid and incongruous that it ruins the effect of the whole cycle. When are artistic administrators going to learn to say "enough is enough. Lets stick to the composer's ideas." Or doesn't the composer count?

Yet another outstanding Ring - but a lack of focus at the end........2007-01-24

Let's get the technicalities out of the way first. The source material was high resolution (analogue) video and high-quality multi-channel ambient sound. It has been ably converted to the DVD medium. I listened in DTS 5.1; apart from a few occasions where the orchestra overpowered the singers (which it probably did in the original performance), the reproduction is perfect. The lack of audience was perceptable in the rear channel, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing; it's nice to hear the closing bars without the intrusion of early applause. And isn't it splendid to hear a Bayreuth production the way King Ludwig did?

The performances? Brilliant! Absolutely no cause for complaint. I'll just mention the highlights, but please don't interpret this as a criticism of the rest - they were all Ausgezeichnet!.

John Tomlinson's Wotan showed enormous presence, with a full command of the emotional range demanded by this part. Graham Clark's Loge/Mime was a clear indicator of the outstanding abilities of this character tenor. If you haven't seen it, check out his 'David' in Meistersinger.

Jerusalem was, er, well, Jerusalem. If you've seen him in the Met production, you'll be gratified that he may have gained a few years, but he can still portray the teenage Siegfried.

Waltraud Meyer, as Waltraute, was icing on the cake.

Now, the stage direction.

There were some surprising innovations, and if you'd like to see this production complete with surprises, please stop reading now.

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The non-speaking use of Wotan and Alberich was nothing short of genius. I won't go into too many details, but such scenes as the horn interchange between Siegfried and Wotan, the trick with the Waldvogel, Mime mouthing 'Wotan', Alberich and Wotan skulking around Mime's humble abode... All brought an extra dimension to the Gesamtkunstwerk. I think Wagner might have approved.

On the other hand, the beginning and end of t