Opera on Blu-ray

[Onegin]

Originally Posted by mattconroy

Wow, that's quite a collection. Rameau's Zoroastre looks interesting as well.

Have it on DVD, don't like it enough to replace with the BD.

[Yeha-Noha]

Originally Posted by garak

I just popped in Opus Arte's Die Zauberflöte and I stand by my initial assessment, with a slight qualification. It is harsh at times. It seems to be confined primarily to when the louder passages, and only certain instruments/voices.

For example, during the overture, during the full orchestral tuttis when the orchestra is playing forte or fortissimo, the violins sound harsh. The woodwinds and brass sound fine. The lower strings also sound fine. It's only the violins. I'm not an audio engineer, so I don't know the proper term, but it's that sound which is produced when a sound is too loud for the microphone. There is a slight hiss and loss of detail from the violins.

The sound of some of the voices is also a bit brighter than is natural. This is most apparent in the vocals of the 3 ladies, and to a lesser degree the queen of the night.

Overall it wasn't bad though, but I would have given SQ a 7.5/10.

During the fortissimo passages in the overture the violins sound silky smooth on my system. I turned the volume even much louder than I normally would play that opera. Still, I didn't detect the slightest hiss. The only conclusion I can draw is that you have B&W speakers which are perhaps picking up more subtle details than my Energy speaker system. Or, if that's not the case, then perhaps you need more amplifier power to drive those fine B&W speakers of yours. Usually soprano voices can be very demanding for flawless reproduction. Damrau's Queen of the Night arias (especially the second one during the final act) are very clear without any sign of distortion or breaking up in the extreme highs that she manages to sing so beautifully. The Three Ladies' voices didn't sound unnaturally bright on my system. I know you know your opera, but if you are used to Italian opera, German opera might sound a bit harsh simply because the German language just isn't as musical as Italian. Other than those particular points, I cannot account for the differences that we are hearing in this opera. The one thing you didn't mention was Sarastro's Aria. There was one instance where I heard a couple of crackle's in his voice. It could have been background noise or it was because Selig was over miked. It's so minor and never occurs anywhere else in the opera, that I didn't gig it on account of that. I still give the recording a 10/10.

[garak]

Originally Posted by rwojtalewicz

During the fortissimo passages in the overture the violins sound silky smooth on my system. I turned the volume even much louder than I normally would play that opera. Still, I didn't detect the slightest hiss. The only conclusion I can draw is that you have B&W speakers which are perhaps picking up more subtle details than my Energy speaker system. Or, if that's not the case, then perhaps you need more amplifier power to drive those fine B&W speakers of yours. Usually soprano voices can be very demanding for flawless reproduction. Damrau's Queen of the Night arias (especially the second one during the final act) are very clear without any sign of distortion or breaking up in the extreme highs that she manages to sing so beautifully. The Three Ladies' voices didn't sound unnaturally bright on my system.

We know that everybody's system is going to sound different (and that's not even getting into room acoustics), but I believe that this is the source of our difference of opinion. However, I do believe that this recording is among the brighter recordings that I own.

Originally Posted by rwojtalewicz

I know you know your opera, but if you are used to Italian opera, German opera might sound a bit harsh simply because the German language just isn't as musical as Italian.

Believe me I've had my fair share. I actually have a Master's in music theory. In one of my grad school courses, I had to listen to all of Wagner's Operas (I won't be so pretentious as to call them music dramas) from the Flying Dutchmen and after in a 10 week quarter. That was a grind (Can we resolve a dominant one time PLEASE!!!).

Originally Posted by rwojtalewicz

The one thing you didn't mention was Sarastro's Aria. There was one instance where I heard a couple of crackle's in his voice. It could have been background noise or it was because Selig was over miked. It's so minor and never occurs anywhere else in the opera, that I didn't gig it on account of that.

I didn't listen to the whole thing last night, just certain parts where I thought the brightness would be most evident.

Originally Posted by rwojtalewicz

I still give the recording a 10/10.

You're not giving yourself any wiggle room. That means you believe that this is the best.

However, IMO the DG recordings sound better.

[mattconroy]

March is an embarrassment of riches for lovers of Handel. No less than four of his works on Blu-ray in the space of two weeks - Giulio Cesare, Tamerlano, Semele and Admeto. I'll be picking up the first two and perhaps Semele as well, if my wallet cooperates. Bartoli's involvement intrigues me.

No pun intended, but I have to admit that Admeto is not a work I am familiar with.

[Onegin]

Originally Posted by mattconroy

March is an embarrassment of riches for lovers of Handel. No less than four of his works on Blu-ray in the space of two weeks - Giulio Cesare, Tamerlano, Semele and Admeto. I'll be picking up the first two and perhaps Semele as well, if my wallet cooperates. Bartoli's involvement intrigues me.

No pun intended, but I have to admit that Admeto is not a work I am familiar with.

I don't know about the Giulio Cesare but the Tamerlano doesn't hit North America till the end of April (the 28th), well after Semele (Mar 10) and Admeto (Mar 31). I have the last 2 on pre-order, and I'll probably end up with all 4 - looking forward to Domingo in Tamerlano. Saw Semele live last week, one of my favourite Handel's.

[mattconroy]

Originally Posted by Onegin

I don't know about the Giulio Cesare but the Tamerlano doesn't hit North America till the end of April (the 28th), well after Semele (Mar 10) and Admeto (Mar 31). I have the last 2 on pre-order, and I'll probably end up with all 4 - looking forward to Domingo in Tamerlano. Saw Semele live last week, one of my favourite Handel's.

Amazon UK gives a release date of March 2 for Tamerlano, as do Presto Classical (very reasonable shipping) and the Opus Arte website. I can't find a word about it on Amazon US.

Opus Arte have also announced Lohengrin and Don Giovanni for April 1. More Wagner on Blu-ray, please! Parsifal and Tristan especially. I'm steering clear of the one available Blu of Die Walküre after reading some fairly negative reviews.

[Onegin]

Originally Posted by mattconroy

I'm steering clear of the one available Blu of Die Walküre after reading some fairly negative reviews.

Well, it's a minimalist production, and does have the odd bizzare moment, which is a matter of taste, but the BPO under Rattle is great, and the singing is mostly also very good. The only quibble being Robert Gamble's Siegmund - and in the reviews I've read that seems to be the general consensus - though he isn't all bad. Video and audio are both excellent, and even with the quibble I have no problem recommending it. A 4.5/5.

[mattconroy]

Originally Posted by Onegin

Well, it's a minimalist production, and does have the odd bizzare moment, which is a matter of taste, but the BPO under Rattle is great, and the singing is mostly also very good. The only quibble being Robert Gamble's Siegmund - and in the reviews I've read that seems to be the general consensus - though he isn't all bad. Video and audio are both excellent, and even with the quibble I have no problem recommending it. A 4.5/5.

Yes, I am sure the orchestra is fantastic. Was just concerned about the singers. Maybe I need to reconsider. There is a dearth of Wagner on Blu-ray, so it's enticing.

[Yeha-Noha]

Originally Posted by garak

We know that everybody's system is going to sound different (and that's not even getting into room acoustics), but I believe that this is the source of our difference of opinion. However, I do believe that this recording is among the brighter recordings that I own.

Believe me I've had my fair share. I actually have a Master's in music theory. In one of my grad school courses, I had to listen to all of Wagner's Operas (I won't be so pretentious as to call them music dramas) from the Flying Dutchmen and after in a 10 week quarter. That was a grind (Can we resolve a dominant one time PLEASE!!!).

I didn't listen to the whole thing last night, just certain parts where I thought the brightness would be most evident.

You're not giving yourself any wiggle room. That means you believe that this is the best.

However, IMO the DG recordings sound better.

Well, I'm no music major, mine is science and mathematics. My wife and I both enjoy opera. Blu-ray has made our experience so much the better. You probably have a better ear for music than I. There's the personal equation too. That is to say, if I heard Opus Arte's Die Zauberflöte on your system, it may not sound as bright to me as it does to you. Your rating it 7/10 for audio is respectable though. I appreciate your views regarding this BD release.

[MrTaxMan]

Originally Posted by Onegin

Well, it's a minimalist production, and does have the odd bizzare moment, which is a matter of taste, but the BPO under Rattle is great, and the singing is mostly also very good. The only quibble being Robert Gamble's Siegmund - and in the reviews I've read that seems to be the general consensus - though he isn't all bad. Video and audio are both excellent, and even with the quibble I have no problem recommending it. A 4.5/5.

I enjoyed the audio aspects of this Die Walküre. It might be considered average if it were a just a CD recording. But I was distracted by three visual elements. Allow me to describe:

1) The sets were just bizarre. Sometimes just a single table in forefront of stage. Or an odd pole in the middle of a room, representing a tree. Instead of trying to follow the story, I kept trying to figure out how somebody could come up with this odd stuff and what it represented.
2) The costumes were from various decades. Sometimes singers looked like they were from 1915, other times 1990, and still other times 1790.
3) The close ups. Sometimes Robert Gamble's face would almost fill the entire screen... and boy was he sweating. With that HD picture, you could follow each bead of sweat as it rolled down his face.

Granted, these might be considered 'artistic' elements done on purpose; and maybe I'm too easily distracted. But it WAS different.

Despite these criticisms, I would still recommend it. After all, if you want Wagner on BD you have no other choice.

[Onegin]

Originally Posted by MrTaxMan

The sets were just bizarre....

... Granted, these might be considered 'artistic' elements done on purpose; and maybe I'm too easily distracted. But it WAS different.

Hey it's Wagner - Wagner is different!

Check out the Pierre Audi Ring for De Nederlands Opera on Opus Arte if you want something different - and yet still a very good production. Chacun à son goût !

[coralfangs]

Is there a blu-ray for a production of Die Zauberflöte where they try to mimic the original staging used during the Queen of the Night entrance??

[mattconroy]

More Handel coming from Arthaus, this time Orlando.

Received my copies of Giulio Cesare and Tamerlano today.

[Onegin]

Originally Posted by mattconroy

More Handel coming .....

With it being Handel year this year (250th anniv. of his death) hopefully we'll see a LOT of Handel!!

Opus Arte is also re-releasing on BD the 2006 Glyndebourne production of Cosi fan tutte, and that one is definitely worth a double-dip.

[Yeha-Noha]

Originally Posted by coralfangs

Is there a blu-ray for a production of Die Zauberflöte where they try to mimic the original staging used during the Queen of the Night entrance??

You mean like the one in Karl Friedrich Schinkel's 1815 stage set pictured here?

However compared to the 1815 picture, I admire more the stage setting shown in the recent Royal Opera House production released on BD by Opus Arte. The night time sky at least has the appearance of having star patterns or constellations rather than a neat parallel arrangement of stars fixed inside a dome. It also has the crescent moon but above the stage, and not with the QOTN standing on it like some Isis (or Ishtar) figurine as depicted in the 1815 artist rendition.

[quexos]

As for Wagner I think the entire Der Ring des Nibelungen is worth watching on Blu not just Die Walküre which is only one of 4 parts of the entire Opera.

[hanser]

Originally Posted by mattconroy

Yes! Tosca, La Bohème and Gianni Schicci are all available on Blu-ray/

I have the Gianni Schicci on DVD, and it is one of the best opera video recordings I have encountered. Very recommended!

[Onegin]

Originally Posted by hanser

I have the Gianni Schicci on DVD, and it is one of the best opera video recordings I have encountered. Very recommended!

Agreed, unfortunately the BD version is paired with the Rachmaninov, which I wouldn't recommend.

[MrTaxMan]

Originally Posted by quexos

As for Wagner I think the entire Der Ring des Nibelungen is worth watching on Blu not just Die Walküre which is only one of 4 parts of the entire Opera.

Agreed. But unfortunately, Die Walküre is currently the only Wagner Opera out on Blu-Ray.

[Onegin]

Originally Posted by MrTaxMan

... unfortunately, Die Walküre is currently the only Wagner Opera out on Blu-Ray.

Lohengrin is scheduled for release by Opus Arte on April 1.