Johann Strauss II: Simplicius (Zurich, 2000)

Cast: Michael Volle (Wendelin), Martin Zysset (Simplicius), Elizabeth Magnuson (Hildegarde), Piotr Beczala (Arnim), Rolf Haunstein (von Vliessen), Oliver Widmer (Melchior), Louise Martini (Schnapslotte), Martina Janková (Tilly), Chorus and Orchestra of the Zurich Opera House, Franz Welser-Möst (conductor), David Puntney (director), Johann Engels (Set Design), Thomas Grimm (video director)

Recorded at the Opernhaus Zürich in 2000

Issued on DVD by Arthaus Musik in 2003 [100 364; PAL/Regions 2 and 5; menus and optional subtitles in English, German, French, Spanish]

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

Running time: 132 minutes

Sung in German
Johann Strauss had no success between Der Zigeunerbaron and Wiener Blut, his last operetta. The first of the half-dozen intervening works was Simplicius, an incredibly complex tale of four concurrent Barons Grübben and the legacy of the late Baroness. The production is similarly incomprehensible. For example, the last act is dominated by a tree with a dozen animated corpses occasionally rotating in the style of an amusement-park ride. There are half a dozen or so pleasant waltzes whose lilting tunes often carry dour and depressing lyrics in a work defying classification as opera, operetta or any other recognized genre.

Four of the soloists overcome the limitations of plot and prodcution to deliver enjoyable characterizations and good singing. Janková has a bright, soubrette instrument and style; Beczala's lyric tenor is used to advantage, and he acts a bit as well. The audience applauds in all the appropriate spots, but only for the arias of those two do they seem to know why. Haunstein is a conventional and satisfying buffo; Zysset is athletic and persuasive despite being hard pressed vocally and too evidently past the age of the character he plays. The other singers are problematic, though never offensive. Volle is excellent as an actor in a problematic role, but he is far better speaking than singing.

Despite moments of musical innovation and several characteristic Strauss tunes, the recording is unlikely to earn a second viewing. We can hardly expect another opportunity for this experience in the foreseeable future. Still, one wonders whether the resources devoted to this production and recording might have found a more rewarding outlet.
 
Related website:
Arthaus Musik www.arthaus-musik.de
 
Michael Richter, 9 February 2002
mrichter@cpl.net
 
See also Michael Richter's Introduction to the DVD, for a list of other reviews see the DVD Project page.