Search - R. Strauss - Salome on DVD

A sleek Siamese cat and her gorgon of a mother make this a f

L. Mitnick | Chicago, Illinois United States | 06/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's high time this fabulous film of Salome became available on DVD and I'm ordering it as soon as it's available on July 7th. It's like diving into a feast of depravity. Teresa Stratas, who would never have been able to undertake this great role in a staged production in one evening, nevertheless creates a filmed Salome that is pretty close to the absolute ideal. Beautiful, sexy, and catlike, she brings the depraved Princess of Judea to life as no other. As noted earlier, she lacked the sheer vocal power to bring this opera to life in the theatre, but in a film, with microphones, she comes across with aces to spare. While she pretty much is the whole show, Astrid Varnay, herself a great artist, comes across as a beast-gorgon Herodias, whose own youthful sexual depravity now shows only in her distorted reptile-like face. Her voice is in tatters, but it matters little in a role like this. Her contribution to the success of this project is immeasurable. The color is vivid, the location shots realistic ------ and if I'm rambling on about this, it's only because it's all so scary and fun. Bohm was the greatest Strauss conductor of his time, and he brings the shattering music to the fore as only he could. Buy it!!!!!!!!!"

Deliciously repulsive, yet fascinating

Mr John Haueisen | WORTHINGTON, OHIO United States | 10/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Whether this is your first experience with Salome or if you are already a dyed-in-the-wool Strauss fan, this Salome is for you!

Why? As other reviews have mentioned, Teresa Stratas is beautiful and perfect for the role, and she remains totally involved in the action through the entire opera.



Also, Astrid Varnay is the quintessential Herodias, a "painted queen" who is desperately clinging to her control over her husband and will use anything--even her own daughter to manipulate the man. Her diabolical laughter resounds as pure evil.



Karl Bohm is the greatest Strauss conductor, and he shows it here, letting Strauss' chords rise just as powerfully as the composer would wish. Bernd Weikl's strong voice of a prophet is perfect for the role of Jochanaan, and his looks complement the descriptions that Salome makes of him.



But what really makes this Salome a "must" for you, is that this great one-act opera was produced as a film. This allows the camera to go in close on the players in this psychologically tormenting story. It actually helps us understand the interplay of all the characters as the camera watches their reaction to each other. Recordings, or even live on-stage performances do not allow you to watch some of the reactions that are so important in a psychological drama such as this.



Money was not spared in the costuming and staging, which let you feel as if you're looking right at the Judea of Herod's time.



The director (Gotz Friedrich) has also frequently placed Salome and her mother side-by-side, so that we can compare their reactions to Herod. It is a lesson in acting, to watch Herodias (Astrid Varnay) in her reactions to each sequence of Salome's dance. Even the shocking old queen can be shocked.



Yes, the "Dance of the Seven Veils" is perfect, but seeing Stratas lithely and gracefully moving around the stage is certainly just what Strauss intended for his prima donna, whom Herod calls "her mother's child."

At the end, we find that Herod, Herodias, and Salome all end up being deliciously repulsive, yet fascinating."

A dream come true

Robert Petersen | Durban, South Africa | 06/04/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 1974 film version of Strauss' opera is a dream come true as far as being released on DVD. It is probably the best version there is, with all roles being ideally cast. Stratas will leave you cold - she is great singer and a fantastic actress.

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This is the one to get

Peter T. Sipos | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | 06/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I agree with Robert Petersen. I own the Laserdisc and have been awaiting this release. The production really captures the ghoulish, erotic neurosis of the opera. The acting is fabulous; so is the music. This is the one to get!"