Austria Hotels Travel :: Puccini - Turandot / Gergiev, Schnaut, Tear, Vienna State Opera

Puccini - Turandot / Gergiev, Schnaut, Tear, Vienna State Opera

Puccini - Turandot / Gergiev, Schnaut, Tear, Vienna State Opera
Average Customer Rating: Average rating of 2.5/5Average rating of 2.5/5Average rating of 2.5/5Average rating of 2.5/5Average rating of 2.5/5

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Manufacturer: Tdk DVD Video
Starring: Gabriele Schnaut, Robert Tear, Paata Burchuladze, Johan Botha, Cristina Gallardo Domas
Directed By: Brian Large

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Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0824121000264
Format: Classical
Label: Tdk DVD Video
Manufacturer: Tdk DVD Video
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Tdk DVD Video
Region Code: 1
Release Date: 2003-08-19
Running Time: 141
Studio: Tdk DVD Video
Theatrical Release Date: 2002
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Editorial Reviews:
Turandot has a unique place among Puccini’s works because of its complexity, the intertwining of the exotic and the fairy-tale, of tragedy and comedy. At the heart of the opera is the psychological exploration of the eponymous character which in her ambivalence of enchanting beauty and cruel nature differs from all of Puccini’s earlier heroines. In musical terms Turandot has all the marks of a unique work. Not only did it take longer to complete than the other operas – Puccini did not live to see its completion - but in none of his other works did he show so convincingly his ability to reflect the modern musical trends of his time, without, however, compromising the foundations of the traditional melodrama, to combine advanced styles with his own idiom. The fascinating thing about this opera even today is not primarily the wealth of inspired melodies – the only hit is Calaf’s aria Nessun dorma in the 3rd act – but the clever and imaginative tonality, the subtle instrumentation. Puccini has focussed even more emphatically on the portrayal of the specific ambience than in Madama Butterfly and has captured in a highly suggestive way the exotic atmosphere by using a great variety of compositional means, such as pentatonic melodies and unorthodox structures of movements, strange rhythms and an extraordinarily large percussion section.
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Average rating of 1/5Average rating of 1/5Average rating of 1/5Average rating of 1/5Average rating of 1/5
Summary: OMG---Dieter strikes again!
Comment: Just watched this DVD- fortunately borrowed from my local library free-of-charge.
Love Turandot.
Hated this performance.
Only thing which would have made it worse: All black costumes upon a bare black stage with a total-black background.
And the singers are not that good either.
Dieter strikes again!!!!
Customer Rating: Average rating of 1/5Average rating of 1/5Average rating of 1/5Average rating of 1/5Average rating of 1/5
Summary: Berio ending stinks
Comment: Many people criticize Alfano's ending with which we are familiar, usually the Toscanini-shortened version. I say to them, "Shut up.!" After hearing the Alfano-Toscanini version dozens of times, the full Alfano a few times, and now the Berio,I think Toscanini got it right with the short Alfano. Berio added nothing pleasant, still used Puccini themes at times,and ended with a whimper. The Salzburg production suffers from bad singing, acting, and scenery. During "Signore Ascolte" and Non Piangere, Liu," Burchuladze looks as if he is going to cry, "How did I get into this mess?"
Customer Rating: Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5
Summary: Puccini meets the Borg and Edward Scissorhands!!!
Comment: What a spectacle this production is! Fortunately, I had read the previous reviews and was prepared for the shock of a part-man, part-machine cast and chorus. David Pountney must be a Star Trek (or Tim Burton) fan to have staged a Puccini opera with a Borg-like society. Strangely, this didn't bother me much. (But, don't EVER do this to Rossini!!!)

This really was a colorful spectacle! The curtain opens to three levels of choristers decked out in masks, machine parts, etc., who line the entire stage. Everyone moves like robots.

All this was quite distracting for the crucial performances of Ping, Pong and Pang, whose singing seemed secondary (and second rate) to the costumes and jerky choreography. The only humanoids are Liu, Timur and Calaf. Christina Gallardo-Domas who played Liu is the only singer I'd give more than three stars. She was probably the only character in this whole production that anyone could relate to. The role of the blind father, Timur, played by Paata Burchuladze impressed me only when he mourned Liu's death. That was the emotional high point for me. Calaf left me completely cold; even the singing of Nessum dorma was a dud. Gabriele Schnaut is no Eva Marton; her singing did not appeal to me at all. But, I've got to hand some acting stars to her for playing so well to the awful tenor!

At the end of this production, the choristers shed their machine parts and masks (but not the black and white mouth makeup) and appeared on stage in dreary grayish clothes, everyone paired in a closing embrace, along with Turnadot and Calaf. Love prevailed.

I think this is worth watching once just for the spectacle and the alternate ending. The production budget for this must have been enormous! But, if I watch Turnadot again, it will definitely be the one with Eva Marton and Placido Domingo.
Customer Rating: Average rating of 1/5Average rating of 1/5Average rating of 1/5Average rating of 1/5Average rating of 1/5
Summary: Surely, the ugliest Turnadot ever produced
Comment: Turandot is my favorite opera and I've seen five versions--this one is so ugly, it is painful to watch. I purchased this DVD for the Berio ending, but I won't keep it in my collection. The Devo-inspired sets and costumes are ludicrous and the cast abominable. A dreadful experience!
Customer Rating: Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5
Summary: A different look - not for everyone
Comment: A very different staging of this classic. Audience seems usure of what to think at first. Bought it for the Berio ending, which is an interesting alternative. Style gets a bit modern in sound, and not nearly as loud and powerful at the end as the Alfano (which, emotionally I've always liked). Berio's "intermezzo" slows down the action for awhile but makes sense of the transition in Turandot. Always felt that part in Alfano's version kind of lost it's way. Check the interviews for some good insights. In the end, I actually liked it as much as the Alfano ending that is traditional.
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