Description

Richard Wagner - Rienzi: Der Letzte der Tribunen DVD

Name: Richard Wagner - Rienzi: Der Letzte der Tribunen DVD
SKU: 807280152197
Price: 99 USD
Availability: InStock

UPC: 807280152197

Product Features

Performers:

Rienzi: Torsten Kerl
Irene: Camilla Nylund
Adriano: Kate Aldrich
Steffano Colonna: Ante Jerkunica
Paolo Orsini: Krzysztof Szumanski
Cardinal Orvieto: Lenus Carlson
Baroncelli: Clemens Bieber
Cecco del Vecchio: Stephen Bronk

Production Details:

Conductor: Sebastian Lang-Lessing
Orchestra and Chorus: Deutsche Oper Berlin
Stage Director: Philipp Stölzl
Co-Director: Mara Kurotschka
Stage Design: Ulrike Siegrist, Philipp Stölzl
Costume Design: Kathi Maurer, Ursula Kudrna
Video Director: Johannes Grebert
Video Design: fettFilm (Momme Hinrichs, Torge Møller)
Chorus Master: William Spaulding

Technical Details:

Sound Formats: PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1
Subtitles: German (Original Language), English, French, Spanish, Italian
Picture Format: 16:9
Region Code: 0 (Region-Free)
Running Time: 156 minutes (Opera) + 26 minutes (Making Of)
DVD Format: NTSC
FSK Rating: 12+
Year of Production: 2010
Publisher: Arthaus Musik GmbH

Overview

Rienzi: Der Letzte der Tribunen is a grand tragic opera in five acts by Richard Wagner, based on the novel by Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton. This 2010 production from the Deutsche Oper Berlin, conducted by Sebastian Lang-Lessing and directed by Philipp Stölzl, reimagines Wagner's epic tale in a visually striking version that splits the opera into two parts.

Set in the turbulent world of medieval Rome, Rienzi tells the story of the rise and fall of Cola di Rienzi, the last tribune of the Roman people, who seeks to restore the glory of the Roman Republic. The opera is a spectacle of political ambition, betrayal, and revolution, infused with Wagner's powerful music.

This production is notable for its innovative staging, blending historical and modern elements, including visual references reminiscent of Leni Riefenstahl's propaganda films. The result is a powerful and unsettling portrayal of the dangers of totalitarianism, with strong performances led by Torsten Kerl as Rienzi and Camilla Nylund as Irene.

The DVD also includes a "Making Of" feature, providing insights into the creative process behind this ambitious production.

Interesting Facts

Philipp Stölzl: Known for his work in both film and theater, Stölzl's direction of Rienzi is marked by his cinematic approach, which adds a dynamic visual layer to Wagner's already dramatic score.
Sebastian Lang-Lessing: An accomplished conductor, Lang-Lessing brings out the full intensity and complexity of Wagner's music, guiding the Deutsche Oper Berlin's orchestra and chorus through a performance that is both powerful and nuanced.
Historical Context: Rienzi was one of Wagner's early operas and played a significant role in his development as a composer. Its themes of political power and downfall reflect Wagner's fascination with history and revolution.
Critical Acclaim: The production was praised for its bold staging and the impressive performances of its lead cast, with Die Zeit highlighting how it encourages viewers to be "distrustful" of the seductive power of political rhetoric.