Janacek: Jenufa (Glyndebourne, 1989)
 

Cast: Jenufa (Roberta Alexander), The Kostelnicka (Anja Silja), Laca (Philip Langridge), Steva (Mark Baker), London Philharmonic Orchestra, Andrew Davis (conductor), Nikolas Lehnhof (director), Tobias Hoheisel (designer)
 
Originally recorded at Glyndebourne in 1989
 
Reissued on DVD in in 2001 by Arthaus in Europe (100208, PAL /region code 2, 5 with subtitles in English, French, German, Spanish), and in 2002 by Kultur International in north America (D0035/NTSC/region code 1, with menus and subtitles in English only)
 
Technical Details: Aspect Ratio: 4:3, Sound: PCM Stereo
Running time: 118 minutes
Sung in Czech
 
This is a superb production (by Nikolas Lehnhof), brilliantly conducted and well sung - a highly recommended performance overall despite some weaknesses. Sets and costumes must be commended not for their novelty but for their effectiveness in representing exteriors and interiors on the small stage of the old theatre. Special commendation is also earned by Andrew Davis for maintaining the pulse of the opera unrelentingly, building from emotional crescendo to crescendo. Viewing this recording is both compelling and exhausting.
 
Two portrayals are comparatively weak - but the comparison is with extraordinary realizations of the Kostelnicka by the ageless Anja Silja and of Laca by Philip Langridge. Silja compels the viewer, absorbs him and ultimately forces him to appreciate if not to condone her sin. Langridge is little short of that level, inhabiting a role made difficult because of its internal and external conflicts. While Alexander sings well, she seems artificial in representing the fragility and innocence of her character. Baker walks through his admittedly unsympathetic role. In a less compelling performance, their characterizations would be accepted readily, but here the standard is too high to let mere competence pass without comment.

It has been released by two publishers. It seems useful to compare the two editions since many other opera DVDs are released by multiple publishers and the viewer may have a choice among them. Jenufa shows variation between the two editions which is somewhat less than most, and far less than in the more extreme cases.

The obvious and, for many, critical difference is that the Kultur release (D0035) is in NTSC; the ArtHaus release is in PAL. ArtHaus is explicitly for Regions 2 and 5; Kultur does not specify region. Kultur offers only English menus and subtitles; subtitles cannot be turned off. ArtHaus offers English, German, French and Spanish for both; subtitles may be turned off. On Kultur, there is one chapter for each scene and one for the closing credits for a total of 28. ArtHaus does the same for Acts I and II but consolidates scenes logically in Act III and does not define a chapter for the credits for a total of 22.

There is no supplement on Kultur. ArtHaus offers two 'trailers' for other titles. On other discs, supplements may be more relevant and will also vary among publishers. This recording offers no options for audio; the only configuration is PCM stereo. Where other options are available from the master, each publisher may choose the ones to offer. Although multiple dubbings may be available for conventional films, that clearly does not apply to an opera recording.

Another area of difference is the documentation. Kultur's package has a 'blurb' promoting the title and a list of the staff members to accompany the names, but not the roles, of the five principal singers. The insert provides only chapter information: the number and the Czech title of the scene. The ArtHaus package has extensive technical information; the insert has full cast and roles, chapter information with timing and the roles in each; and about six pages in each of three languages (German, English and French) on the work and the artists, including synopsis.

Ultimately, one wants to know whether the picture and the sound are the same on the two releases. They are in this case, but in others they may be taken from different sources and vary. The inflexibility on Kultur and freedom on Arthaus are characteristic of the titles reviewed so far.
 
Related websites:
 
Kultur Video www.kultur.com/kulturvideo/about/about.htm
Arthaus Musik www.arthaus-musik.de
 
Michael Richter, 19 March 2003, revised 11 September 2003
mrichter@cpl.net
 
See also Michael Richter's Introduction to the DVD, for a list of other reviews see the DVD Project page.