- Format: Classical, PAL
- Language English
- Subtitles: English, German, French, Dutch
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 1.77:1
- Number of discs: 2
- Classification: Exempt
- Studio: ARTHAUS
- DVD Release Date: 15 May 2000
- Run Time: 241 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004UEXW
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
78,259 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
- #21 in Film & TV > Musicals & Classical > Classical Music > Composers > Wagner
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
Waltraud Meier is the stuff of which great Isoldes are made--a passionate actress who sings her heart out at every point and yet somehow keeps something in reserve from the narration and curse of the first act for the love duet of the second and the "Liebestod" of the third. Her Tristan, Jon Fredric West, is more or less her equal--he is particularly impressive in the mad death agony of the third act; his Tristan is an ordinary hero who becomes something larger. Among the other principals, Kurt Moll's Mark stands out in its eloquent heart-break, not so much a cuckold as a man who wants everything to work out right; Weikl's Kurwenal and Lipovsek's Brangane are, credibly, ordinary people caught up in great tragedy. Mehta's account of the score is solid and professional--he gets nothing wrong and everything right in a performance which survives occasionally perversely innovative staging to touch greatness.
On the DVD: The DVD includes subtitles in French, German, English and Dutch. --Roz Kaveney
Special Features
Region 2
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Don't get hung up on the sofa,
By
This review is from: Wagner: Tristan und Isolde [DVD] [1998] (DVD)
Putting aside its flashes of eccentricity (such as the aforementioned sofa, and the shaving soap), this is actually a pretty decent production. Not one of the best I've seen, but streets ahead of the Met DVD.
Waltraud Meier, as always, was superb; not only does she have a wonderful voice, but she can act (unlike Eaglen, in the Met production). She looked damned good in red hair as well. Jon Fredric West was a competent Tristan, though a little lacking in fire, I think. (He wasn't straining, as another reviewer suggested - he always looks like that). Kurt Moll brought presence and dignity to what can be a very uninspiring role. His Marke was believable and sympathetic; he commanded the stage in every scene he appeared in. To return to the production itself - it wasn't all bad. The abrupt transition from night to day, where the stage and house lights were turned on, was particularly effective. I also liked the stage-within-a-stage convention at the end of act three, where the lovers moved into a world of their own, visible to us but out of reach of the other players. I wouldn't categorize this as a 'happy ending', though - just a different way of showing death. On the technical side, I felt the sound balance was a little strange, with the orchestra occasionally sounding very muted. This was particularly evident in the Liebestod. I wouldn't say that it spoiled my enjoyment of the opera, but it was noticeable. To sum up, I don't regret buying this DVD, but there are a couple of better productions.
46 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Mixed Bag,
By
This review is from: Wagner: Tristan und Isolde [DVD] [1998] (DVD)
As an enormously devoted Wagnerian I bought this set as soon it was out. Seen and heard I think more than 100 Tristan's on every continent - but not this one in Munich - this production struck me as humorous first.The opening with the two girls enjoying a kind of Virgin Islands cruise, when they are served cocktails by the servant, is very funny. The singing of Meier and Lipovsek throughout is very strong. After the first act I thought more fantasy could have been achieved in the central love-duet and how it works on this stage. I found it a little underplayed, although well done. The singing of Tristan, alas again an American tenor having many problems with the notoriously difficult German language. Listen to the frequent 'Isolde' outbursts; the pronunciation flattens and it mostly ends as 'Isoldaaaaaa' which gives me a headache. The 'u'-sound like in 'the' - what it is - must be very difficult to achieve at the end of a word for the English speaking world. In the second act we see a DVD mishap: mrs. Meier, who I remember as a very beautiful woman - has been focussed so good that her skin (or is it make up) looks very ugly. After that we see mr. Kollo spitting around some wonderful sounds in his great monologue. I thought this the high point of this set. The orchestra does very well, although not superb. In the third act a very solemn sphere has been achieved - the playing of the hermit's oboe very strong - and the way West portraits his desolation and love-sickness goes very well. I won't quible again about his German. The final moments of the opera - very difficult for all after 3 hours - goes well, althought everybody looks and sings a little tired at the end of the night. Even the orchestra flattens. Well, a mixed bag. It must be possible to give us better performances on DVD of this everlasting interesting drama. The picture quality goes well, although not being exceptional and sometimes the blacks look boxy. But that's the way it goes with DVD. The sound is very good, great bass!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Colourful and vibrant modern setting,
By
This review is from: Wagner: Tristan und Isolde [DVD] [1998] (DVD)
Don't be put off by the dreary cover: it's taken from just about the only instant in the opera that's visually dull. The photo is out of focus too. You'd think they could find a better photo!
I enjoyed the cheeky charm and vibrancy of this modern setting, especially the cruise ship in act 1! Costumes are good and Isolde in particular is a very attractive Isolde, though the last scene zooms in much too close to the extent that you can see her tongue is blue. On the subject of the last scene, I thought it would have been better if Tristan actually looked dead, but never mind. Sound quality is fine and picture is sharp apart from some short bits of blur on close-ups. It's the only Tristan DVD in my collection and I don't feel the need to get another.
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