Weber - Der Freischutz details
| Format: | Ex DVD |
|---|---|
| Directors: | Saunders, Blankenheim, Von Weber, Krause |
| Genres: | Music/Musical - Opera/Operetta, Performing Arts, World Cinema - German |
| Studio: | ARTHAUS MUSIK |
| Name | Discs | |
|---|---|---|
Weber - Der Freischutz |
Ex Feature |
DVD Information
| Run time: | 2 hours 3 minutes |
|---|---|
| Rental release: | Not available for rental |
| Main languages: | German |
| Subtitles: | English, French, German, Spanish |
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Most helpful review
Customer Review
By a customer from UK , 23 Jun 2008[Highly rated reviewer]
This is a most enjoyable film version of this Romantic opera, performed by the Hamburg State Opera. The film was shot in a studio in naturalistic and traditional settings rather than on stage. The camera tends to focus on the singers in close-ups which may not be to everyone's taste, but it shows the characters' psychology more clearly. The singers act and mime to their own voice recordings so that discrepancy is often noticeable, but one gets used to it soon. All the main singers look their respective role.
The singing is excellent. Ernst Kozub (Max) is very good in bringing out the brooding Max's anguish. The role of Kasper is sung by Gottlob Frick very convincingly. Their singing and acting in the spooky Wolf's Glen scene in Act 2, which has good special effects, are very well done.
Among female singers, I was particularly struck by Edith Mathis (Annchen). She made many very good recordings of Bach's cantatas and Mozart's religious works, but here her singing in the role of the light-hearted cousin of Agathe is most delightful. Annchen's arietta, "Kommt ein schlanker Bursch gegangen" (When a slim boy comes along), in Act 2 and her aria, "Trube Augen, Liebchen, taugen einem holden Brautchen nicht" (Sad eyes, my dear, don't suit a blessed bride) in Act 3, are most charmingly sung. Her voice has warm and pure timbre and the intonation is totally true.
Arlene Saunders is a very good Agathe although I have heard a few other better sopranos in the role. Agathe's arias and cavatina - particularly "Leise, leise, fromme Weise!" (Softly, softly, my pure song!) in Act 2 - are very beautifully sung. The rest of the cast, including the choir, is very good indeed.
The last but not the least, the conducting by Leopold Ludwig is incisive. The mono sound recording is very good for its age (1968). The colour picture quality is not bad at all.- Was this review helpful to you?
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(3)Weber's opera as it should be seen
By Linda Smith from Ashby de la Zouch , 05 Nov 2008The other review says it all. This film may be 40 years old, but if you want to see the Wolf's Glen as Weber iintended this is the one to rent.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Customer Review
By a customer from UK , 23 Jun 2008This is a most enjoyable film version of this Romantic opera, performed by the Hamburg State Opera. The film was shot in a studio in naturalistic and traditional settings rather than on stage. The camera tends to focus on the singers in close-ups which may not be to everyone's taste, but it shows the characters' psychology more clearly. The singers act and mime to their own voice recordings so that discrepancy is often noticeable, but one gets used to it soon. All the main singers look their respective role.
The singing is excellent. Ernst Kozub (Max) is very good in bringing out the brooding Max's anguish. The role of Kasper is sung by Gottlob Frick very convincingly. Their singing and acting in the spooky Wolf's Glen scene in Act 2, which has good special effects, are very well done.
Among female singers, I was particularly struck by Edith Mathis (Annchen). She made many very good recordings of Bach's cantatas and Mozart's religious works, but here her singing in the role of the light-hearted cousin of Agathe is most delightful. Annchen's arietta, "Kommt ein schlanker Bursch gegangen" (When a slim boy comes along), in Act 2 and her aria, "Trube Augen, Liebchen, taugen einem holden Brautchen nicht" (Sad eyes, my dear, don't suit a blessed bride) in Act 3, are most charmingly sung. Her voice has warm and pure timbre and the intonation is totally true.
Arlene Saunders is a very good Agathe although I have heard a few other better sopranos in the role. Agathe's arias and cavatina - particularly "Leise, leise, fromme Weise!" (Softly, softly, my pure song!) in Act 2 - are very beautifully sung. The rest of the cast, including the choir, is very good indeed.
The last but not the least, the conducting by Leopold Ludwig is incisive. The mono sound recording is very good for its age (1968). The colour picture quality is not bad at all.- Was this review helpful to you?
- (1) Yes |
- No (0)
Enjoyed this very much
By a customer from London, England , 17 Apr 2007BBC Music Magazine rated this as its DVD of the month when it was issued earlier this year and I almost bought it, except LOVEFILM had it for rental very quickly (well done !).
A made-for-TV version of the German classic opera, c. 1968. Not a modern, deconstructed production, but the real thing - antlers on the walls, forest scenes, etc. What a relief, having sat through productions based in a Dusseldorf bus station at midnight, etc.
Singing is beautiful, especially from the two female leads. Orchestral playing very clear and using the subtitles, you can pick up all the nuances of nature painting from the music. I am developing a moderate addiction to opera on DVD, I notice the choice on the site is getting bigger all the time.- Was this review helpful to you?
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