Erich Binder, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Francisco Araiza, Ruggero Raimondi - Gounod: Faust (2006/1985)
Erich Binder, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Francisco Araiza, Ruggero Raimondi - Gounod: Faust (2006/1985)
NTSC 4:3 (720x480) | Français | LinearPCM, 2 ch | DTS, 5 ch | Dolby AC3, 5 ch | 7.06 Gb+4.17 Gb (DVD9+DVD5) | 176 min
Classical | Deutsche Grammophon | Sub: Francais, English, Deutsch, Espanol, Chinese
NTSC 4:3 (720x480) | Français | LinearPCM, 2 ch | DTS, 5 ch | Dolby AC3, 5 ch | 7.06 Gb+4.17 Gb (DVD9+DVD5) | 176 min
Classical | Deutsche Grammophon | Sub: Francais, English, Deutsch, Espanol, Chinese
The production and video direction are by British film-maker Ken Russell who puts his own stamp on the production. Russell told an interviewer he felt the plot was "silly" so he turned Marguerite into a young nun, eliminated the Walpurgis Night ballet, had Marguerite use sign-language for Valentin's deaf-mute children, and had Mephistopheles disrespectfully urinating in the stoup in church. However, the overall effect is visually engrossing, the vivid sets and costumes by Karl Toms are effective. And the singing is outstanding. Tenor Francisco Araiza handles the title role with confidence. Ruggero Raimondi, while he may not have the impressive lower register of many devils of the past, is a superb actor. Soprano Gabriela Benackova is in magnificent voice as the innocent Marguerite, and other major roles are impressively sung. I've never heard of conductor Erich Binder, but he leads a powerful performance. The video was made in the Vienna State opera House March 23, 1985.
Cast:
Le doctor Faust - Francisco Araiza
Méphistophélès - Ruggero Raimondi
Marguerite - Gabriela Beňačková
Valentin - Walton Grönroos
Wagner - Alfred Šramek
Siebel - Gabriele Sima
Marthe - Gertrude Jahn
Orchester und Chor der Wiener Staatsoper
Conductor - Erich Binder
Erich Binder, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Francisco Araiza, Ruggero Raimondi - Gounod: Faust (2006/1985)
Erich Binder, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Francisco Araiza, Ruggero Raimondi - Gounod: Faust (2006/1985)
Erich Binder, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Francisco Araiza, Ruggero Raimondi - Gounod: Faust (2006/1985)
Erich Binder, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Francisco Araiza, Ruggero Raimondi - Gounod: Faust (2006/1985)
