Whistle Stopper - Mozart - Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) / Keenlyside, Roschmann, Hartmann, Damrau, Selig, Allen, Sir Colin Davis, Covent Garden

List Price: $29.99
Our Price: $20.93
Your Save: $ 9.06 ( 30% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: BBC / Opus Arte
Starring: Mozart, Simon Keenlyside, Dorothea Roschmann, Diana Damrau, Thomas Allen
Directed By: Sir Colin Davis, David McVicar

Average Customer Rating:

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0809478000754
Format: Classical
Label: BBC / Opus Arte
Manufacturer: BBC / Opus Arte
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: BBC / Opus Arte
Region Code: 1
Release Date: 2003-09-23
Running Time: 185
Studio: BBC / Opus Arte
Theatrical Release Date: 2003

Related Items

Spotlight customer reviews:

Customer Rating:

Summary: Uneven
Comment: Disappointing. Damrau is excellent: a truly psychotic and even frightening "Queen." The boys are weak-ish but not horrible. Really my only substantial gripe is the costumes, and mostly that of Papagena. In the middle of a tolerable 18th century-ish look for the rest of the cast we have Papagena portrayed as a horny 21st century 18-year-old shopping queen in a tank top and miniskirt. The shock of her pulling down Papageno's pants on stage aside, her entire persona does not fit at all with the rest of the performance. I was left thinking, "Where the fetch did that come from?"

I'm all for scandalizing the audience if there's a higher purpose at stake, but I really don't see it here. It just clashes with the rest of the production and leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth. It's unfortunate.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Near Perfection if not already achieved!
Comment: Sir Colin Davis has done it again! The genius has made another beautiful interpretation of the one of Mozart's final pieces. I may be biased since Die Zauberflote is my favorite opera, but this is a fantastic performance! The cast is magnificent, especially Diana Damaru as the Queen of the Night (my reason for the purchase). However Tamino and Pamina both give memorable performances. Papageno, however sticks out as one of the most memorable performances. He gives both humor and drama where needed, and has perfect control over all of his movements and voice.

Both the set and lighting design are stunning. The cinematography is tasteful, in that you see the production as both a movie and a staged opera (or Singspiel). I have no complaints at all about this dvd!

Excellent work!!!

Customer Rating:

Summary: From Darkness into Light
Comment: What an incredible portrayal of what is, in my opinion, Mozart's most beautiful opera. My love of this DVD began with the overture, with beautiful shots of the orchestra. Now, for the singing:

Everyone in this production is amazing. The show-stealer is Dorothea Roschmann, as Pamina, who plays this character as if the role was made just for her. She is innocent, yet knowing, and her search for truth gives her layering that not all singers playing Pamina can properly delineate. Brava to her and her beautiful, rich, emotional voice. Simon Keenlyside is just as marvelous, with an awkward yet strong presence as Papageno. He makes the audience laugh at him, pity him and root for him all within the same performance. Diana Damrau takes the Queen of the Night arias to a new level, adding her own shading to these songs and acting with great emotion and in-your-face anger that is very entertaining to watch. The other singers are equally talented, and round out the cast perfectly.

With the exception of sometimes poor intonation among the three young boys and the unfortunately unflattering costume that Pamina wears throughout the second act, this production is nearly perfect. I highly recommend that all fans of Die Zauberflote see this DVD for themselves.

Customer Rating:

Summary: wonderful performers
Comment: When I saw Diana Damrau performing the Queen of The Night, I was breathless!!! I first saw her through you-tube, so I decided to buy this dvd. It's a pitty that they decided to publich on hd dvd instead of bluray...

Customer Rating:

Summary: It All Works Together on this Disk
Comment: Like all works of art, opera is the sum of its parts. Opera joins music, both sung and played, acting, both physical and verbal, costumes, settings, and lighting. A video disk of an opera adds camera work and editing. What I found remarkable about this disk is that the total is greater than the sum of its parts. Yes, there is fine singing and playing. The acting is expressive and appropriate. There are quirky and specific costumes, often funny. Glorious sets (the Masonic set and the sun both stand out). Miraculously the lighting looks fine in the video. I can only assume that the light was stunning to the live audience. Having the light work both recorded and live is not so simple because the human eye and the camera see differently. Everyone who watched this disk with me walked around for a couple of hours happily dazed by our experience, whistling and singing excerpts.

More Reviews

Editorial Reviews:

The internationally renowned Mozart interpreter Sir Colin Davis conducts the chorus and orchestra of the Royal Opera House and a glittering cast in David McVicar's 2003 production of Mozart's last opera, recorded in sumptuous surround sound live at Covent Garden.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
• Behind the Scenes
• Conductor Sir Colin Davis talks about Die Zauberflöte
• Illustrated Synopsis of the opera