Mozart - Die Zauberfloete (The Magic Flute) / Keenlyside, Roschmann, Hartmann, Damrau, Selig, Allen, Sir Colin Davis, Covent Garden | 
 enlarge | Directors: Sir Colin Davis, David Mcvicar
Actors: Mozart, Simon Keenlyside, Dorothea Roschmann, Diana Damrau, Thomas Allen
Studio: BBC / Opus Arte
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.99
Buy New: $22.39
You Save: $7.60 (25%)
New (18) Used (5) from $21.99
Rating:  36 reviews
Sales Rank: 8142
Format: Classical, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Language: German (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 185 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 886
UPC: 809478000754
EAN: 0809478000754
ASIN: B0000C5RQF
Theatrical Release Date: 2003
Release Date: September 23, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand new Item. CD, DVD, Book, VHS more than 400 000 titles to choose from. ALL days Low Price !
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
It's hard to find a DVD version of Mozart's Die Zauberfloete that's as well sung as this 2003 Covent Garden production. Led by the eminent Mozartian, Sir Colin Davis, orchestra and singers present a warm, often intense vision of the opera, not as the fairy tale it's often taken for, but as a human drama of the passage from misguided beliefs to mature knowledge of self. Diana Damrau is the Queen of the Night for our time, with show-stopping bravura singing that tosses off the score's terrifying high notes with almost casual abandon. Her acting and her fright outfit never leave you in doubt that she's the evil presence here, even when she's pretending to be a good mom concerned about her daughter, Pamina. Dorothea Roeschmann is superb, floating pianissimo notes to die for and singing with a beautifully rounded soprano allied to a dramatic sense that make her Ach, ich fuhl's so moving. Will Hartman is a virile Tamino, a bit heavier of voice than most of the lyric tenors who take the role, but singing well. Like most Tamino's, he's upstaged by Papageno, the bird-catcher who's his sidekick. Baritone Simon Keenlyside offers the best-sung Papageno one could hope to hear, and while he's funny in many of his more physical scenes, he replaces the usual clownish buffoon with an earth-bound Everyman. The noble Sarastro, the lovers' guide to self-realization, is well sung by Franz-Josef Selig, whose ample bass easily encompasses the low Fs that make most basses sound strained. The smaller roles are done well, too. Ailish Tynan has a romp as Papagena; the evil Monostatos is done to vocal and acting perfection by Adrian Thompson, the Queen's Three Ladies are well-matched and appropriately edgy, and the Temple Priests are convincingly sung and acted. This production of Die Zauberfloete is a dark one. Producer David McVicar and conductor Davis reject the relatively recent transformation of the opera into a Disney-like romp for kids. The comic element in the opera is there, but its philosophical underpinnings--humanity's fitful progress to a higher plane - are paramount. There are still plenty of laughs with the fake dragon that pursues Tamino at the opera's opening and Papageno's funny business with a bird, among other chuckle-inducing scenes. But the production's Stygian backgrounds make for an oppressive setting. When light enters, as in the pomp of Sarastro's entry or the blazing yellow disc of the sun that conquers darkness, the opera's meanings are crystal-clear. Most of the characters wear 18th Century outfits, to comic effect as Monostatos' heavy makeup, lipsticked mouth, and elaborate wig. But there are occasional incongruities: Tamino's smock, the Three Boys' knit sweaters and short pants, and Papagana's mangy fur coat, among others. They're well intregrated into the staging so they don't jar. Nor, aside from the occasional too-tight closeups, does the video direction. In the special features, Davis speaks of the opera's tension between "lighthearted music and the seriousness of the story," and all elements of this production fuse those key aspects in a way that makes this DVD a joy to hear and watch. Dan Davis Die Zauberfloete is an all-regions 2-disc set in 16:9 ratio. Sound options include Dolby Stereo and 5.1 Surround. Sung in German with subtitles in English and Spanish. Extras include an illustrated synopsis, a behind the scenes feature of the production, and Sir Colin Davis talking about Die Zauberfloete
Description
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 Zauberfloete
• Illustrated Synopsis of the opera
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| Customer Reviews: Read 31 more reviews...
 Uneven November 27, 2008
Brett J. Ellingson (Provo, UT)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
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.
 Near Perfection if not already achieved! September 23, 2008
Robert A. Valentine (Atlanta, GA)
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!!!
From Darkness into Light June 23, 2008
Nicole Leone (New York)
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.
wonderful performers May 25, 2008
Julian Trejos Zelaya
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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...
It All Works Together on this Disk May 18, 2008
N. Graetz
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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.
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