Description

Richard Wagner - Tannhäuser (Bayerische Staatsoper, 1994) - DVD

UPC: 4006680100142

Product Features

Title: Richard Wagner - Tannhäuser
Conductor: Zubin Mehta
Director: David Alden
Chorus Master: Udo Mehrpohl
Television & Video Director: Brian Large
Cast:Orchestra & Chorus: Bayerisches Staatsorchester and Chorus of the Bayerische Staatsoper
- René Kollo as Tannhäuser
- Waltraud Meier as Venus
- Jan-Hendrik Rootering as Landgraf Hermann
- Bernd Weikl as Wolfram von Eschenbach
- Claes H. Ahnsjö as Walther von der Vogelweide
- Nadine Secunde as Elisabeth
Ballet: Ballet of the Bayerische Staatsoper
Language: Sung in German
Subtitles: German, English, French, Spanish
Picture Format: 4:3 PAL
Sound Format: PCM Stereo
Region Code: 2, 5
Running Time: Not specified
Number of Discs: 1 DVD
Recorded: Live from Bayerische Staatsoper, Munich, 1994
Production: Bayerischer Rundfunk/RM Arts co-production in association with Channel 4, Televisión Metropolitana S.A. de C.V. (Canal 22), and Tevel Israel International Communication Limited

Overview

Richard Wagner’s Tannhäuser is a profound exploration of redemption, love, and the conflict between sacred and profane love. This 1994 production from the Bayerische Staatsoper, conducted by the legendary Zubin Mehta and directed by David Alden, brings Wagner's powerful music drama to life with an exceptional cast led by René Kollo as Tannhäuser and Waltraud Meier as Venus. The production is notable for its modern and psychologically intense interpretation, which emphasizes the inner turmoil of the characters and the moral complexities of the story.

Interesting Facts

Modern Interpretation: Director David Alden's approach to Tannhäuser is deeply psychological, focusing on the internal struggles of the characters, particularly Tannhäuser’s conflict between the carnal desires represented by Venus and the spiritual love embodied by Elisabeth.
Acclaimed Cast: René Kollo, known for his powerful Wagnerian performances, delivers a compelling portrayal of the title character. Waltraud Meier, one of the most celebrated mezzo-sopranos of her generation, brings intensity and depth to the role of Venus.
Renowned Conductor: Zubin Mehta, a conductor of immense stature, provides a masterful interpretation of Wagner’s complex score, leading the Bayerisches Staatsorchester in a performance that balances the grandeur of the music with the intimate psychological drama of the opera.

Track Listing

Act I:
- Tannhäuser's Return from the Venusberg
- The Song Contest
Act II:
- The Pilgrims' Chorus
- The Confrontation between Tannhäuser and the Minstrels
Act III:
- Elisabeth's Prayer
- Tannhäuser's Redemption