Street Scene: A Captivating American Opera

UPC 4006680100982

Product Features

• Title: Street Scene
• Composer: Kurt Weill
• Playwright: Elmer Rice
• Lyrics: Langston Hughes
• Main Cast: Ashley Putnam, Marc Embree, Teri Hansen, Kip Wilborn, and more.
• Conductor: James Holmes
• Orchestra: Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz
• Chorus: Ludwigshafener Theaterchor
• Stage Director: Francesca Zambello
• Directed for DVD Video by: Klaus Thielitz and Jose Montes-Baquer
• Production: A co-production of Camera Film GmbH, Berlin, and Westdeutscher Rundfunk, Köln with RM Associates 1995.
• Label: Arthaus Musik
• Sound Format: PCM Stereo
• Picture Format: 16:9
• Region Code: 2, 5
• Running Time: 143 minutes
• DVD Format: DVD 9 PAL

Overview

"Street Scene" stands as a monumental fusion of opera and drama, enriched by Kurt Weill's captivating score, Elmer Rice's gripping libretto, and the evocative lyrics of Langston Hughes. This American opera in two acts captures the essence of New York City life through the lens of its diverse inhabitants, unraveling their dreams, struggles, and interactions within the microcosm of a single tenement street. The production, helmed by the esteemed Francesca Zambello and featuring a stellar cast including Ashley Putnam and Marc Embree, brings to life the poignant narratives embedded in this urban landscape. With its innovative blend of classical music, jazz influences, and poignant storytelling, "Street Scene" offers a compelling exploration of the American experience.

Interesting Facts

• Broad Collaboration: This production showcases the collaborative genius of Kurt Weill, Elmer Rice, and Langston Hughes, blending opera, drama, and jazz into a groundbreaking theatrical work.
• Critical Acclaim: "Street Scene" has been lauded for its innovative approach to opera, receiving the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best American Play of the Year in its original stage incarnation.
• Global Production: The DVD captures a production that united talents from the Houston Grand Opera, Theater in Platzhan Ludwigshafen, and the Theater des Westens, Berlin, highlighting the opera's universal appeal.

Key Credits

• Composer: Kurt Weill's music masterfully bridges the gap between classical opera and American musical theatre.
• Librettist and Lyricist: The opera benefits from the profound literary talents of Elmer Rice and Langston Hughes, offering depth to its narrative and characters.
• Production Team: Directed for DVD by Klaus Thielitz and Jose Montes-Baquer, this opera has been brought to the screen with cinematic grace and attention to detail.

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