Search - Richard Strauss - Der Rosenkavalier / Tomowa-Sintow, Baltsa, Perry, Moll, Herbert Von Karajan- Wiener Philharmoniker, Salzburg Opera on DVD

Simply divine

H. Buehler | Rochester, NY, USA | 05/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Along with the recording, this cast of "Der Rosenkavalier" is really one of the absolute best that I could ever ask for. Anna Tomowa-Sintow's Marschallin nearly brought me to tears, Agnes Baltsa's Octavian is absoultely sublime, and Janet Perry's Sophie is utterly lovely and adorable! Plus the amazing sets and the divinity of Maestro von Karajan, this DVD is simply amazing, one of the most perfect Rosenkavalier productions, and doesn't lose a bit to the Convent Garden production with Kiri Te Kanawa, Anne Howells, and Barbara Bonney."

My 5th video, and a good one!

Linda Yoder | Morton, IL United States | 08/01/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Thanks to the "troops" of reviewers, I bought my 5th version of Der Rosenkavalier. It's a delight, even if it's not my "favorite." But it has the stage elements of the Paul Czinner film that really brought me back. I saw the Czinner film as a teenager in Chicago. I later saw it at a movie theater in Wilmette, IL. This new DVD is great. The singing is wonderful, and the orchestra is gorgeous. Everybody agrees about Kurt Moll. (This man could sing the phone book.) My favorite video version of Rosenkavalier still is the Covent Garden performance, (second - but virtually tied for first is the Kleiber-Vienna recording) but this performance is very fine. Rosenkavalier is an opera where people will applaud the sets - they did so at a 1973 performance I attended at Chicago's Lyric Opera when the curtain rose on Act II. The Saltzburg set is really fine - enhanced over the years, but with all its elements in the same positions as the Czinner film - making it an almost nostalgic experience to see this version. Do yourself a favor. Now that the Czinner film is out of circulation (I bought 2 of the last 6 VHS copies available at least 3 years ago), see this one. You won't regret it."

A Grand Opera

Mr John Haueisen | WORTHINGTON, OHIO United States | 05/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"(sung in German, with subtitles in English, German, and French)Der Rosenkavalier (the Cavalier of the Rose) can entertain you on various levels.There is the heavenly, ethereal music which is almost too beautiful. There's a delightful sense of humor with surprises for nearly all of the main characters.There's plenty of romance, with the scene of "the presentation of the rose" as one of the best examples of capturing the very moment of love-at-first-sight. As if all the great entertainment were not enough, Richard Strauss has given us a moral lesson: While the Field Marshall's wife has justifiable contempt for her cousin, the lecherous Baron, she realizes that she has been little better as she has used her imperial position to take advantage of more than one young officer. She sees herself in the mirror, and decides to start doing the right (loving) thing--she gives up her current lover so that he can be happy. She finally loves him enough (a sort of motherly love?) to let go of him.Der Rosenkavalier is basically a love story, with some "growing up" by several of the characters. The music is so beautiful, it's almost unearthly at times.This performance brings together the great conducter, Herbert von Karajan, the Vienna State Opera, and magnificent singers, such as Kurt Moll, Agnes Baltsa, Anna Tomowa-Sintow, and Janet Perry.For my taste, this production does not have the warmth of Carlos Kleiber's performance. But it is excellently-done, in every aspect, and you may very well prefer it over others. It may be simply a matter that the stage of the Vienna State Opera seems so large that I felt more removed from the action. That's just my impression. If you have enjoyed Rosenkavalier, this performance will not disappoint you. It is the performance of an opera which examines many aspects of what we call love, performed by a great conductor, great orchestra, great singers--a grand opera!"

An excellent DVD at a bargain price

A. BOSS | Mountainside, NJ United States | 07/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Another excellent recording from Sony's Legacy of Herbert von Karajan series. Although Rosenkavalier was nowhere near the top of my list of favorite operas, this recording of it made me appreciate Rosenkavalier far more than I had previously. It is excellent musically, and the very conventional staging is also excellent. At it's bargain price, it is an outstanding value."