Gluck: Iphigénie en Tauride (Zurich, 2001)
 

Cast: Juliette Galstian (Iphigénie), Rodney Gilfry (Oreste), Deon van der Walt (Pylades), Anton Scharinger (Thoas), Zurich Opera's Orchestra La Scintilla andChorus, William Christie (conductor), Claus Guth (director), Thomas Grimm (video director)

Recorded at Zurich Opera House 2001

Issued on DVD by ArtHaus Musik in 2001 [100 376, PAL / regions 2, 5; menus in English, German, French, Spanish; opera subtitles in English, French, German, Spanish; supplement subtitles in German, French Spanish]

Technical details
Aspect ratio 16:9
Sound PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1 (reviewed in stereo)

Running Time: 108 minutes (supplement 58 minutes)

Sung in Italian (supplement spoken in English)
In all, this is a very satisfying production of an unquestioned classic. Christie's conducting is clear and substantial, realizing the dramatic potential of the opera without muddying the sound; fortunately, fine video and audio production preserve the values he and his cast realize on the stage.

Galstian offers an Iphigénie in a lower key than one might expect, something less than the classic heroine and rather closer to a victimized modern woman. While the intensity of the opera suffers somewhat, its humanity is emphasized. Gilfry's performance is exceptional, arguably his finest work to date with fully integrated singing and acting. Van der Walt approaches that level in a role with less opportunity. The other artists, the chorus and the orchestra are at one with the concept.

The production will mystify even those whom it fully satisfies. Characters are often shadowed by themselves as mimes with papier maché heads. At times, these Doppelgängers seem relevant, but at others their actions and functions divert attention from those of the 'real' figures. No doubt, they would be understandable with sufficient study, but even on first viewing they do not distract excessively from the drama of this masterwork.

Both the booklet and the substantial supplement address 'Gluck the Reformer'. Their value to the viewer will depend on a priori knowledge of Gluck and interest in the evolution of opera, but neither is required for enjoyment of the opera itself.
 
Related website:
Arthaus Musik www.arthaus-musik.de
 
Michael Richter, 1 November 2003
mrichter@cpl.net
 
See also Michael Richter's Introduction to the DVD, for a list of other reviews see the DVD Project page.