Debussy-Pelleas Et Melisande Pierre Boulez Details

Welsh National Operas memorable production of this enchanting and significant opera, which I saw on stage in 1992, is really well captured here on DVD. The opera is unusual and innovative, consisting of a series of tableau / scenes which lack conventional arias. Instead you have a stream of restrained, impressionistic, introspective and sometimes ravishing music which gets to the psychological heart of Maeterlinck's drama . This is French opera finding its own distinctive voice after the revolutionary harmonies of Wagner's Tristan. Pierre Boulez draws wonderful playing and singing from orchestra and cast, which is well served with a DTS sound track. The tableau are simply and evocatively staged by Peter Stein, with impressive sets and lighting. Very theatrical. This ranks alongside the Levine Ring Cycle as one of the great operatic DVDs.