CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

.

Donizetti - L'Elisir d'Amore [Wiener Staatsoper 2006]

by: Ildebrando d'Arcangelo, Alfred Eschwe
starring: Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazon, Chor und Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Leo Nucci
directed by: Otto Schenk

Release Date November 06, 2006
This is a great performance with lots of fun. Anna Netrebko is a stunning Adina. Rolando Villazón is a clumsy but charming Nemorio. Ildebrando D'Arcangelo is a credible fraud and a great actor. L'Elisir d'Amore is a funny story with a happy end. You will enjoy it.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

.

Beethoven - Fidelio - Leonard Bernstein [1978]

starring: Gundula Janowitz, Hans Helm, Manfred Jungwirth, René Kollo, Lucia Popp
directed by: Otto Schenk

Release Date November 13, 2006


There was certainly "something in the air" in the Vienna State Opera House on the night in 1978 when this recording was made and whilst we are given no clue as to what this might have been, the enthusiasm of the audience as evidenced by frequent and prolonged applause certainly rubbed off onto this viewer. Whilst certain aspects of the disc reveal that the performance is nearly 30 years old - for example despite the sheer size of the orchestra which is crammed into the orchestra pit the sound can at times seem on the thin side and many of the costumes appear to be drawn exclusively from the brown and beige part of the colour spectrum (although to be fair this may be as they actually were on the night as these colours were of ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

.

Johann Strauss - Die Fledermaus - Karl Bohm/Wiener Philharmoniker [2008]

starring: Gundula Janowitz, Eberhard Wächter, Waldemar Kmentt, Renate Holm, Erich Kunz
directed by: Otto Schenk

Release Date November 05, 2007


There was certainly "something in the air" in the Vienna State Opera House on the night in 1978 when this recording was made and whilst we are given no clue as to what this might have been, the enthusiasm of the audience as evidenced by frequent and prolonged applause certainly rubbed off onto this viewer. Whilst certain aspects of the disc reveal that the performance is nearly 30 years old - for example despite the sheer size of the orchestra which is crammed into the orchestra pit the sound can at times seem on the thin side and many of the costumes appear to be drawn exclusively from the brown and beige part of the colour spectrum (although to be fair this may be as they actually were on the night as these colours were of ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

.

Strauss - Arabella [1984]

directed by: Otto Schenk

Release Date March 17, 2008
For a while I have held off watching the Janowitz film of Arabella, thinking her a shade mature for the part, but I finally took the plunge, and I'm glad I did. This is opera film at its best, using the imtimacy it can convey to bring out the best of the Hofmannthal text especially in the first and third act. Janowitz may be a shade too old, but she brings out the range of the character especially in her scenes with Zdenka. The voice, as ever, is stunning. After Janowitz, Sona Ghazarian as Zdenka is a star - beautiful singing, and wonderful acting bring tears to the eyes at her nobleness and self-sacrifice. Bernd Weikl is an ideal Mandryka, handsome of voice and appearance, as is Rene Kollo as Matteo. A special mention should also be made for ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

.

Die Verkaufte Braut - Smetana/Adam Fischer/Orchester Der Wiener Staatsoper [1982]

starring: Alfred Sramek, Gertrude Jahn, Lucia Popp, Walter Fink, Czeslawa Slania
directed by: Otto Schenk

Release Date September 10, 2007
I have seen this DVD and I like it very much. I would have preferred the opera in chech language but otherwise this is a very good performance. Lucia Popp and Siegfried Jerusalem sing (and act) beautifully and other performers are good, too. I enjoyed this performance and can highly recommend it!

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

.

Die Fledermaus [1985]

starring: Pamela Coburn, Janet Perry, Eberhard Wachter, Brigitte Fassbaender
directed by: Otto Schenk

Release Date
A superb production. The singing is wonderful, the acting superb and everyone has such fun that it is hard to imagine anyone failing to be enchanted by this production. The late and very great Hermann Prey employs his Puckish sense of humour to the full and he and Benjamin Luxon strike sparks off each other. The unusual interaction with the conductor gives added sparkle to a superlative performance. Unbeatable!

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

.

Die Fledermaus - Johann Strauss

starring: Bernd Weikl, Lucia Popp, Brigitte Fassbaender, Edita Gruberova, Vienna State Orchestra And Choir
directed by: Otto Schenk

Release Date December 06, 2004
Die Fledermaus is a SUPERB opera. A delight to the ear and a delight to the eye.

Here we have a sumptuous production, with fine voices, a superb orchestra, magnificent sets, gorgeous costumes ... and such UTTER, COMPLETE, AMATEURISH ACTING THAT IT BEGGARS BELIEF!

The first act in particular is embarrassing to view. It makes you cringe.

This is not entertainment, this is torture. Buy it if you're prepared to play it with the TV switched OFF so you can't see it - but if, by accident, you turn the TV on (particularly in the first act) you will feel CRUSHINGLY disappointed.

John Chew