Strauss: Arabella | 
 enlarge | Director: Gotz Friedrich
Actors: Renee Fleming, Morten Frank Larsen, Julia Kleiter, Johan Weigel, Zurich Opera House Chorus & Orchestra
Studio: Decca U.S.
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.98
Buy New: $18.61
You Save: $11.37 (38%)
New (25) Used (6) from $18.61
Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 34195
Format: Ac-3, Classical, Color, Dolby, Dts Surround Sound, Dvd-video, Ntsc, Subtitled, Surround Sound, Widescreen
Languages: English (Original Language), Chinese (Subtitled), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), German (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 180
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 001138009
UPC: 044007432631
EAN: 0044007432631
ASIN: B0012L0TG6
Theatrical Release Date: 2008
Release Date: July 8, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
This 2007 Zurich Opera production of Richard Strauss' Arabella is a winner, mostly due to Renee Fleming who traces the progress of the eponymous character from flighty young flirt to a strong, sensible woman, thus moving the opera from what can sometimes seem a sugary confection to an affecting coming-of-age story. It's commonplace to praise the beauty of her voice, its rich timbre and easeful production always a pleasure to hear. In this Arabella we also note the acting that makes her transformation into a decisive woman seem natural and inevitable, while her singing fortunately lacks the mannerisms that sometimes creep into her phrasing. In short, she's the Arabella of our time, and makes this very fine opera seem much more than that. Her sustained high phrases and the soaring lines of the final scene blend tonal beauty, meaning, and emotional power in equal measure. As her sister, Zdenka, soprano Julia Kleiter is a perfect match, almost stealing the show when she and Fleming are together on stage. Though saddled (as per the libretto) with male clothes for most of the opera, she's as convincing as anyone can be in a pants role and her singing is silvery balm to the ears. Her big Act I duet with Fleming is stunning, the voices blending beautifully, the effect of Strauss' long lines luminous. The other big role is that of Mandryka, the fabulously rich young man who's smitten with Arabella. Their marriage is necessary to bail out the finances of the girls' father, the count. Mandryka, "the right man" Arabella dreams of, is a juicy baritone role but Morten Frank Larsen's tight voice, bleached tone and effortful high notes don't make him our right man for the part, despite his youthful vigor and good looks. Johan Weigel, as Matteo, Arabella's rejected suitor and Zdenka's secret love, is broadly done as are the girls' parents who provide suitable comic relief as sung by Alfred Muff and Cornelia Kallisch. Franz Welser-Most conducts the Zurich Opera orchestra and chorus with faceless efficiency. Gotz Friedrich's minimalist production is off-putting at first, why the Art Deco settings instead of the old Vienna of Strauss' i>Der Rosenkavalier, the early success he hoped to duplicate with Arabella. But one soon gets used to the updated setting and it does no violence to Strauss' intentions, although one does expect a more opulent setting for this opera. The video direction of Felix Breisach is good; the cameras smoothly picking up singers and action. -- Dan Davis Arabella is an all-regions color disc in 16:9 ratio. Sound options include PCM Stereo and DTS 5.0 Surround. Sung in German, subtitles are available in English French, German, Spanish and Chinese.
Product Description
The first DVD of Renee Fleming The definitive Strauss interpreter of our time (Chicago Sun-Times) in one of her greatest roles. Filmed in HD (High Definition) Widescreen. Production by the venerable opera director Goetz Friedrich Among the most powerful creative influences on opera in recent times (Telegraph, London). Subtitles available: English, French, German, Spanish, Chinese
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| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
 The best of three! November 14, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have two other Arabellas, with Kanawa and Brendel and Janowitz and Weikl, and I liked this one the best. I wanted to see Renee Fleming in the part and she was spectacular; beautifully appointed, in fine voice and natural in the role. When Morten Frank Larsen appeared as Mandryka, I thought, "Ooohh la, la! Someone as beautiful as Fleming to play her match!" After a while, I thought he was as much the star of this opera as she was. His acting and singing were terrific and his character seemed believable and natural. (This is contrary to my impression of the opera film with Janowitz and Weikle, who were both way, way, way over the top!) Kudos to this pair!
Julia Kleiter was an excellent Zdenka and Johan Weigel portrayed Matteo very well as the pathetic character he is. Alfred Muff, as Graf Waldner, the father, was wonderful in the role (and the audience showed their admiration at the end). Cornelia Kallisch as the mother was great, too.
I was not too impressed with the Fiakermilli but I don't care for that part at all, no matter who's singing it. The ballroom scene with the fan dancers was the low point for me.
Otherwise, I liked the updated and simple set and costumes.
I also thought Franz Welser-Most did an excellent job conducting the beautiful score. As usual.
If you are new to Arabella, I'd recommend you buy this one!
 It Should Have Been Better September 21, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I dithered about acquiring this new DVD of Arabella; afterall I had KIri and Gundula, but most of the Zurich productions I have are very good and even though Renee (and Muff and Kallisch)was the only artist whose work I knew I thought it was worth the plunge. And as far as Fleming, I am glad I did. As an actor she has improved immensely since the taping of the Capriccio--a self-absorbed interpretation created to draw attention to herself at the expense of others. This is not the case with her Arabella, but what a pity that Morton Frank Larsen (a substitute for Thomas Hampson) was the only other Mandryka available. Here is a lyric baritone, seemingly young (and very good looking) who has no business singing this role. Yes, I know Hampson is a lyric baritone, but the man has twenty years of experience and has doubtless given considerable thought to the vocal risks he is currently taking. Larsen is unlikely to be around in twenty years. Already he has an incipient wobble and a lack of resonance in his top notes. The voice itself is not distinguished for beauty, but were he to bring some artistry and musicality this could be overlooked. A pity. The Zdenka is excellent. The three suitors and Matteo are adequate. Muff is a very good Waldemar--wasn't he the Mandryka in Kiri's audio recording from the 80's?
While I am mostly sympathtic with most European productions this is one tha I would gladly pass on. It makes no comment politically or socially, and it is ugly to boot.
Welser-Most's conduction is very similar to Solti's recording: brutal. He dispatches the score with the efficiency of a routenier--something I didn't think I would ever accuse Welser-Most of. To hear this music at its best you need only put on the Met production with Thieleman who obviously loves the score.
And lastly, why did Zurich opt for the 1939 production joining Acts II and III together. Sure Strauss approved it at the time, but then he was notorious for "approving" of cuts that were made by Bohm and HvK. Perhaps he felt not to approve would curtail the prodution. At any rate I thought we had moved beyond this sort of thing.
bravissima September 19, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I would like to add my vote to those of reviewers praising Renee Fleming's performance here. It is absolutely wonderful, both the singing and the acting. Fleming's magical dramatic skill is not often enough praised. Here she captures the subtleties of Arabella's character and her changing feelings and situation with great sensitivity and force. Others have praised her singing (those, at any rate, who are willing to hear her, and don't presume to lecture on how a singer "should" sing) and I second their praise. Her Arabella, like her other Strauss performances, is incomparably beautiful.
The production does not try to capture the stately feeling of mid-19th C Vienna, as the Te Kanawa Met performance does (even rather overdoes) -- so those who like their Strauss served with that more conservative feeling might want to have 2 performances or more of this great work. But that's a good idea in any case. The world is rich in fine performances, and there is no such thing as a "perfect" one; I am pleased to have several Arabellas to enjoy on DVD and CD, and much enjoy their differences. This one by Renee Fleming is at the top of my list. I wouldn't be without it.
 Three "BEST" Arabellas" August 26, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Fleming seems born to be Arabella. Her conversational style here suits Strauss.She illuminats this opera on a par with two others, Te Kanawa at the Met and Janowitz in Vienna. All three of these dvds are equally good and bring insights into this opera.
Amazed by other reviewers who criticized the singing, I would not want any one fond of Arabella to miss this performance . The singing is better than 5 star. (except Sen Guo's Faikermilli who understandably is not up to that of Guberova or Dessay on the other dvds).
As an compelling inducement to watch this dvd, the Mandryka of Morten Frank Larson reaches beyond the best ever to extraordinary. If you have come to think that good male voices are in short supply these days, the singing and superb acting of Morten Frank Larson will be a new star to blaze into your sky.
The loss of one star is for the set, although is improves considerably during the opera is remains a boring gray-purple box for much of the time--Zurich seems often to have poor sets.
FLEMING AT HER BEST! August 14, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is an absolutely wonderful display of vocal and dramatic sensitive by Renee. The production is not my favorite and I do not really care for the costume concept but Renee's singing is so glorious that one is caught in this stunning vocal spectatcle.She captures all the nuances and intricacies of the role.Fleming has proven to be one of the best middle voice Strauss interpreters of our time.
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