Wagner: Tannhäuser (Naples, 1998)
 

Cast: Alan Woodrow (Tannhäuser), Gertrud Ottenthal (Elisabeth), Ludwig Baumann (Wolfram), Marianna Pentcheva (Venus), Andrea Silvestrelli (Hermann), Nikolov Bojidar (Walter), Ivan Konsulov (Biterolf), Patrizio Saudelli (Heinrich), Ezio Maria Tisi (Reinmar); Orchestra of the San Carlo Theater Naples, Gustav Kuhn (conductor), Werner Herzog (director), Walter Licastro (television director)

Recorded: 1998

Distributed by Image Entertainment in north America in 2000 ( 6949/NTSC Region 0/subtitles and menus in English)

Technical Details:
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Sound: Dolby Digital, 5.1 surround, 2.0 stereo

Running time: 186 minutes

Sung in German
 
At times, the word 'provincial' is perjorative; this is one instance where it is a compliment. Most of the parts of this recording are flawed (some, seriously) yet the result is a fully satisfying rendering of the opera in many ways preferable to the offerings from Bayreuth and New York.
 
The production is highly stylized but sufficient. One wishes that the wind machine were turned off on occasion so that the set's draperies and the singers' long cloaks were not always in motion, but clever use of a few simple props and those draperies suffice to establish a sense of place - all that one needs to enjoy the work. Except for Venus - in brilliant red - the color scheme is white on black. Characters are recognizable by dress, stature and demeanor and are not significantly confused with one another.
 
As is often true in Wagner's operas, the critical artist is the conductor. Kuhn does not inspire his forces, but he does maintain a solid reading to which all components conform: orchestra, chorus and soloists. The orchestra sound is clear but lacks brilliance where other readings emphasize it. In all, that is not necessarily a drawback, depending on one's preferences. Both chorus and orchestra are a bit ragged, but the failings are minor in a sonority satisfying overall.
 
Woodrow's Tannhäuser is more than acceptable. He is a bit taxed by the more lyric passages but more than compensates with a heroic timbre and apparently unlimited endurance in an instrument more pleasing in tone than many who have recorded this demanding role. Ottenthal has occasional problems with higher notes in forte, but overall portrays the saintly character convincingly and both sings and acts with beauty and grace. Baumann and Silvestrelli will set few hearts racing, but each fully realizes his character. The other contestants are well chosen and deliver the music faithfully. Pentcheva's Venus is heavy for this production and not particularly seductive. Since there is no ballet and Venusberg is distinguished from Thuringia only by the red color, a greater burden is laid on the Venus than she can carry off alone.
 
The television director, Walter Licastro, was ill-advised in breaking the stage illusion with shots of the orchestra. One might also hope for smoother transitions among the points of view, but they are seldom jarring and the scenes requiring continuity are not affected. Stereo separation is used well but there is little evidence of surround sound. Perhaps in a more elaborate staging on a larger stage, those effects would be recognizable, but where even the trumpets are heard from the pit rather than from the hall, there is little opportunity lost.
 
The opera is presented on a single, two-layer disc. Unfortunately, the layer break is in an active portion of the Contest of Song and is a slight, momentary distraction.
 
In all, the recording can be recommended for the opera as a whole. There is no star turn, there are no brilliant moments. Instead, there is a sound, persuasive presentation of the opera.
 
 
Related websites:
 
Image Entertainment www.image-entertainment.com
 
Michael Richter, 15 August 2002
mrichter@cpl.net
 
See also Michael Richter's Introduction to the DVD, for a list of other reviews see the DVD Project page.