Customer Reviews

Berg - Lulu / Aikin, Kallisch, Keller, Straka, Davislim, Muff, Welser-Most, Zurich Opera

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Even if the staging is quite good, and the singers are competent,specially the Lulu, one amazing singer, (the conducting is not remarkable ) be warned: this is a Two Act version of Berg's masterpiece. I can't understand why some people insists in doing one unfinished version of a work that since 1978 is very well completed by the Austrian composer Friedrich Cerha. Berg wrote the essential of the music of the third act. The third act, that isn't played in this DVD, is essential for the complete understanding of the work. The Mise - en - Scene kill the characters in the second act trying to explain the history without the real end. Don't miss your time and money. Go to the DVD recorded in Glyndebourne. There you will have a first rate conductor, a fantastic staging and a complete performance of this sensational opera.

Yes, this is the two act version, but if any opera house has the right to pull it off, it is in Zurich where the work was actually premiered. We must remember that as lovers of the classical arts, we need not be concerned by the trivial judgments about which performance or another is the better one, rather we appreciate what we can learn and appreciate from each individual performance, and the unique perspective we can gain from each production.

This production is so psychologically complete and satisfying. The attention to detail and subtle nuances are so rich they take several viewings to completely digest. I highly recommend this performance, because it contributes greatly to the hermeneutical dialogue of the Bergs' lulu. Laura Aikin is completely poured into the role and this is one of her best showings. Her facial expressions alone are worth the ticket, and the precise sense of timing are indicative of just how much attention the production paid to the music and the notation that Berg painstakingly annotated. The set is so minimal and grounds the whole performance. Bon appetite!

This is a brilliant realization of Berg's masterpiece as he left it - "unfinished." The production here for Opernhaus Zurich is truly world-class. Laura Aikin is so inside Lulu, that one forgets she is the most underused, underrated American soprano working today; it's an impeccable performance. Audio(DD & DTS 5.0) & video (16:9 HD)quality is benchmark. AND an insightful 30 min. "Making of -" documentary is included on this MUST HAVE DVD.

Excellent version but not the best. 2 acts and a half. That's good, that's what Berg composed...We don't need extra music provided by other people! The version is nice but I suggest the Christina's version (3 acts)...If you don't want the 3rd act, just skip it!

Martin