Opera japonica/Reviews/DVD/Tristan und Isolde, 1973

Wagner: Tristan und Isolde (Orange, 1973)

Cast: Birgit Nilsson (Isolde), Jon Vickers (Tristan), Ruth Hesse (Brangäne), Walter Berry (Kurwenal), Bengt Rundgren (König Marke), Horst Laubenthal (Seeman, Hirt), Stan Unruh (Melot); Orchestre National de RTF, New Philharmonia Chorus, Karl Böhm (conductor)

Originally filmed on 7 July 1973 by Pierre Jourdan. Previously published on tape and LaserDisc

Reissued on DVD in 2002, and distributed by Kultur International in north America (D2230/Region 1/NTSC with menus and optional subtitles in English)

Technical Details:
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 Full Frame
Sound: PCM Stereo

Running time: 209 minutes
Sung in German

For details of the Dreamlife NTSC DVD issue see below

Despite its technical limitations, this recording has been an essential video in any serious collection since it was first issued. The production at the Orange Choregie uses an adaptation of Wieland Wagner's ring construct to excellent effect. As in all of Jourdan's films, a single audio recording is used but various video elements are synchronized approximately to it. One unfortunate effect is that sync is erratic, frequently noticeable, and occasionally distracting. Color on both tape and LaserDisc was washed out; for the DVD, saturation is increased to a satisfying level most of the time but in some scenes it is exaggerated. Audio has always been very good though stereo separation is modest; indeed, the CD issues of the performance have been well received even without the video contribution. Equalization has been altered on the DVD. Overall, the result is a bit less pleasing, but still more than acceptable. The transfer is on two discs, split between Acts II and III; there are 28 chapter stops.

The reason for this recording is the music. The elementary set and costuming do not distract but neither do they illuminate the score. For that, the brilliant light is from Karl Böhm on the podium, shining clearly on the eponymous stars: Vickers and Nilsson. Three and a half hours pass in a flash in this performance; the love duet has never seemed so short. Both principals are in superb voice, supporting one another with apparent ease as they soar above the excellent orchestra. Overall, the music is served as well on this release as on any this reviewer has heard on audio or video.

Wagner would have been proud.

The supporting singers do no more than support. One would have hoped for more from Berry, but he seems uncomfortable in the role. Hesse makes nothing of her watch; otherwise she serves dutifully. Rundgren delivers his monologue effectively, but not memorably. Perhaps that is inevitable given the dominance of Nilsson and Vickers, but while none of the other soloists is distracting, one always awaits return of the lovers to restore intensity to the stage.

At the price charged for the Kultur release, even those with fine previous releases should consider adding this to their libraries. Its advantages over even the LaserDisc are subtitle options and improved color; chapter stops make it all but essential for those who know it only from tape. If somehow you have missed it altogether, hie thee to the Internet or your nearest shop to add an essential recording to your library.

Reissued on DVD in 1998 by Dreamlife (DLVC 1019/Region 0/NTSC, Japanese menus; optional Japanese subtitles) Running time: 213 minutes

Price in Japan 9,800 yen, in the USA and Britain approximately $100 and GBP 100

This performance was previously available on Dreamlife in both VHS and LaserDisc formats. They also released it in NTSC DVD, region 0 (as illustrated) with what appears to be basically the same video and audio, but on a single disc and with menus and optional subtitles in Japanese only. It has been distributed outside Japan and may still be found in the USA and Europe.

Website: www.dreamlife.co.jp (Japanese only)

Michael Richter, 14 July 2002

mrichter@cpl.net

See also Michael Richter's Introduction to the DVD, for a list of other reviews see the DVD Project page.