Description
Leonard Bernstein - Trouble in Tahiti | BBC Opus Arte DVD
UPC: 0809478000280
Product Features
- Composer: Leonard Bernstein
- Conductor: Paul Daniel
- Directed by: Tom Cairns
- Starring:Orchestra: City of London Sinfonia
- Dinah: Stephanie Novacek
- Sam: Karl Daymond
- Supporting Cast:
- Toby Stafford-Allen as the Milkman
- Edward K. Gibbon as the Psychiatrist
- Mary Hegarty as the Female Trio
- Running Time: Approx. 50 minutes
- Audio Format: Stereo
- Picture Format: 16:9 Anamorphic, NTSC/PAL
- Subtitles: French, German, Spanish
- Region Code: 0 (All Regions)
- Label: Opus Arte
Overview
Leonard Bernstein's Trouble in Tahiti is a poignant, satirical exploration of American suburban life in the 1950s. This 2001 film adaptation, directed by Tom Cairns, transforms the opera into a cinematic experience, highlighting the struggles of a married couple—Dinah (played by Stephanie Novacek) and Sam (played by Karl Daymond)—as they face emotional disconnection and personal dissatisfaction.
Set against the backdrop of 1950s consumerist America, Trouble in Tahiti delves into the contradictions of domestic life, where the allure of suburban success masks deep emotional turmoil. The score, a brilliant mix of jazz, American musical comedy, and opera, showcases Leonard Bernstein’s innovative blend of classical and popular music traditions.
In this production, Paul Daniel conducts the City of London Sinfonia, delivering a vibrant interpretation of Bernstein’s score. With visually striking sets and nuanced performances, this adaptation provides a fresh and engaging take on a rarely performed opera.
Interesting Facts
- Leonard Bernstein composed Trouble in Tahiti in 1952, reflecting his interest in the contrasts between idealized suburban life and its often harsh reality.
- The opera is one of Bernstein's few works entirely written in English and is notable for blending elements of jazz and popular music with operatic form.
- Tom Cairns' cinematic direction brings a new dimension to the opera, turning the stage production into a visually dynamic film.
- Stephanie Novacek and Karl Daymond deliver compelling performances, bringing depth to the characters of Dinah and Sam, whose marriage is unraveling.
- The opera’s title, Trouble in Tahiti, refers to the escapist fantasy of a perfect life, symbolized by the movie the couple goes to see, reflecting the disillusionment they feel in their own lives.
Track Listing
- Part I: Introduction and the Suburban Dream
- Part II: Dinah and Sam’s Fractured Relationship
- Part III: Escapism and the Fantasy of Tahiti
- Part IV: Reconciliation or Further Disillusionment?
Extra Features
- Introduction to Trouble in Tahiti
- "Not Particularly Romantic" – Biographer Humphrey Burton discusses Bernstein’s life and the significance of the opera
- "A Very Testing Piece" – Conductor Paul Daniel shares insights on the challenges of performing the opera
- Illustrated Booklet with biographies and full libretto (available in English, French, and German)
Publishers
- Opus Arte
- BBC Wales
