Leonard Bernstein, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Gundula Janowitz, Rene Kollo - Beethoven: Fidelio [2006/1978]

Posted By: Vilboa

Leonard Bernstein, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Gundula Janowitz, René Kollo - Beethoven: Fidelio [2006/1978]
NTSC 4:3 (720x480) | Deutsch (LinearPCM, 2 ch) | (DTS, 5 ch) | (Dolby AC3, 5 ch) | 7.57 Gb (DVD9) | 147 min
Classical | Deutsche Grammophon | Sub: Deutsch, English, Francais, Espanol, Chinese

“A performance simply crackling with excitement from the Wiener Staatsoper in 1978, conducted by Leonard Bernstein and featuring sublime performances from Gundula Janowitz as Leonore, René Kollo as Florestan, and Lucia Popp as Marzelline. The celebrated quartet, Mir ist so wunderbar, is nothing short of exquisite.” (James Longstaffe, Presto Classical)
“Bernstein conducts with all his heart – and with the occasional eccentricities as regards tempo that went with the package. By 1978 Bernstein was God in Vienna and receives here an almost too effusive welcome at start and finish. Indeed, the public applaud far too often, wrecking the end of Florestan's aria with seemingly endless clapping when all one craves is silence.
The Vienna Philharmonic play superbly for a conductor they had come to love. Otto Schenk's staging remains a marvel of sensible action, pertinent handling of the singers and clarity of action – no updating, no silly ideas, just straightforward, unobtrusive direction.
Gundula Janowitz has a lovely voice, which she uses intelligently, but her acting, as so often, is unconvincing. One never for a moment believes in her as the vulnerable, courageous rescuing wife, a fatal flaw. René Kollo sings with strength and conviction as Florestan, and acts effectively, but he does have a tendency to maul his line.
Hans Sotin as Pizarro is not half as terrifying as he could be, though he sings securely. By contrast, Manfred Jungwirth's stalwart Rocco is involved and involving. Lucia Popp offers an unforgettably moving and clearly sung Marzelline; Adolf Dallapozza is an average Jaquino.
Dialogue is cut to the minimum. Sound and video direction (by Schenk himself) are both excellent.” (Gramophone Classical Music Guide)

Cast:
Florestan - René Kollo
Leonore - Gundula Janowitz
Don Fernando - Hans Helm
Don Pizarro - Hans Sotin
Rocco - Manfred Jungwirth
Marzelline - Lucia Popp
Jaquino - Adolf Dallapozza
Erster Gefangener - Karl Terkal
Zweiter Gefangener - Alfred Šramek
Chor und Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper
Conductor - Leonard Bernstein


01. Opening Credits
02. Overture
Act 1
03. "Jetzt, Schätzchen, jetzt sind wir allein"
04. Armer Jaquino, ich war ihm sonst recht gut (Marzelline)
05. "O wär ich schon mit dir vereint"
06. "Marzelline!" - "Vater!" (Rocco, Marzelline)
07. "Mir ist so wunderbar"
08. "Armer Fidelio!" (Rocco, Leonore, Marzelline)
09. "Hat man nicht auch Gold beineben"
10. "Ihr habt recht, Vater Rocco" (Leonore, Rocco, Marzelline)
11. "Gut Söhnchen, gut"
12. Marsch
13. "Drei Schildwachen auf den Wall"
14. "Ha! Welch ein Augenblick!"
15. "Hauptmann! Besteigen Sie mit einem Trompeter…"
16. "Jetzt, Alter, jetzt hat es Eile!"
17. "Abscheulicher! Wo eilst du hin?"
18. "Komm, Hoffnung, lass den letzten Stern"
19. "Fidelio!"
20. "O welche Lust, in freier Luft den Atem leicht zu heben!"
21. "Nun sprecht, wie ging's?"
22. "Ach! Vater, Vater, eilt!"
23. "Leb wohl, du warmes Sonnenlicht"
Act 2
24. Introduktion - "Gott, welch' Dunkel" - "In des Lebens Frühlingstagen"
25. "In des Lebens Frühlingstagen"
26. "Wie kalt ist es in diesem unterirdischen Gewölbe"
27. "Nur hurtig fort, nur frisch gegraben"
28. "Er erwacht"
29. "Euch werde Lohn in bessern Welten"
30. "Alles ist bereit"
31. "Er sterbe! Doch er soll erst wissen" - "Vater Rocco! Der Herr Minister ist angekommen" - "Es schlägt der Rache Stunde"
32. "O namenlose Freude"
33. Ouvertüre "Leonore III" op. 72a
34. "Heil sei dem Tag"
35. "Des besten Königs Wink und Wille"
36. "Wer ein holdes Weib errungen"