Search - Strauss - Die Fledermaus / Kleiber, Coburn, Perry, Bayerische Staatsoper on DVD

You will love this "Fledermaus"

R. Nicholson | 11/12/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a first rate Die Fledermaus!I watched this DVD last nite for the first time and what a pleasant surprise. Right from the opening chords of the overture you could tell that the conductor Carlos Kleiber obviously loved this work, and the orchestra responded in kind to his caressful approach(see some video of him in the latter part of the opera) to conducting this piece.
The opera takes place at the Bavarian State Opera Ballet and is performed before a live audience that was in a very receptive and appreciative mood.
The video director was Brian Large. Superb! Really, you can have the best singers, orchestra and sets but if the camera angles and switching isn't done properly then the final product can be very mediocre. No worry here.The singing is stellar: with Eberhard Wachter (Gabriel von Eisenstein), Pamela Coburn (Rosalinde) and Janet Perry (Adele) in the leading roles. The acting is good: light hearted, honest and the overall production is really very funny, without seemingly to have to try to be funny. The cast genuinely seemed to be having a great time on stage and responded enthusiastically to the audience's appreciative applause. And then.... there were the costumes(especially the ladies) and the sets: Absolutely gorgeous, sumptuous. Perfectly fitting for the setting that this work was written for. I would have no hesitation in recommending this wonderful, funny opera to anyone. You will love this "Fledermaus""

"Supremely Delightful"

Mr John Haueisen | WORTHINGTON, OHIO United States | 03/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Imagine a performance where the music was played beautifully and with a loving caress. Imagine a cast in which each singer seems the epitome of the character portrayed. Imagine exceptional acting with that singing, and you have this--the very best performance of Die Fledermaus. The sets, costumes, and staging are also just right. You will feel that you're right there, at a Viennese grand ball, surrounded by beautiful people, enchanting music, and having a rollicking good time! It's like being right there at the very best New Year's Eve party you could ever imagine. You will enjoy this performance over and over."

Beautiful except Act III and Kleibers ego

karl Schreiber | 10/16/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The cast (especially the adorable Janet Perry) is truly outstanding in this fine operetta. Unfortunately, Act III almosts ruins the whole thing with its disgusting attempt at comedy. No fault of the actors though and some very lovely singing by Perry almosts rescues it. But what really irks me is the camera shot of Kleiber during the most reflective and sumptous moments of Breuderline (sp). I sat in horror and disbelief and cursed his giant ego which must surely be the only explanation for this criminal act. I like Kleiber a lot but this nonsense of showing the conductor at the most inappropriate moment is ridiculous.P.S. If you love Johann Strauss check out his serious operetta, Simplicius, on DVD by Kultur which stretches the boundaries toward opera status. That is one incredible show. Buy this Fledermaus and Simplicius and have a Straussfest!"

Kleiber conducts fledermaus

Philippe Ferdinande | Landen Belgium | 01/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"carlos kleiber is the real star of this production
here the music is "der koenig aller weine"
beautifull cast ,very well sung and great performance with
brigitte fassbaender as prince orlofsky, but once again it is kleiber the real star of this production"