Product Details

• Actors: Jose Carreras, Andrea Bost, Zubin Mehta
• Format: Classical, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: German (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), German (PCM Stereo)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Arthaus Musik
• DVD Release Date: August 1, 2000
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00004UEE4
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #179,834 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Not only did 1999 mark the 150th anniversary of the death of Johann Strauss Sr., but the centenary of the passing of his son, Johann Strauss, "The Waltz King." To commemorate, on the evening of May 29, 1999, in Vienna's grand Heldenplatz, almost 8,000 people gathered for a gala concert. This Wiener Philharmoniker performance was conducted by Zubin Mehta (who had previously conducted the Three Tenors, one of whom, José Carreras, is here joined by soprano Andrea Rost for two duets from Strauss operettas). At 103 minutes, this DVD offers 19 selections, but either there was an interval after just six pieces, or considering how rapidly it gets dark between "Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka" and the "Overture" from Die Fledermaus, there has been some cutting. Given such a great orchestra and the wonderful setting, it would have been nice to see people dancing to what is, after all, real dance music. Despite the static nature of the event, the music is still uplifting, moving even the staid Vienna audience to clap along by the finale of the rousing "Radetzky March."

Other than some useful booklet notes, the DVD has no special features, and the sound is offered only in Dolby Digital 2.0 and PCM stereo. This is presumably due to the difficulties associated with outdoor acoustics and live recording, which nearly prevented the concert going ahead. The anamorphically enhanced picture generally makes the most of the spectacular location, having such a clarity in the close-ups that it is virtually possible to count the hairs on the musicians' heads. --Gary S. Dalkin, Amazon.co.uk

From the Back Cover

Open air concerts were only a short chapter in the history of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. A program consisting solely of Strauss works in an open air event intended for a large audience is something new, and initial skepticism about the technical and acoustic realization was accordingly great. But the view prevailed that, in the Strauss year 1999, something new should be dared. Fortune smiled on the musicians in regard to the decisive factor for every open air event - the weather: May 29, 1999 was an ideal evening in Vienna. Almost eight thousand visitors reveled in the magic of a mild late spring evening and the magnificent ambiance of Heldenplatz (Hero Square). Two of the Viennese opera audience's absolute favorites, the Spanish tenor Jose Carreras and the Hungarian soprano Andrea Rost, had agreed to sing arias and duets from Johann Strauss' imperishable masterpieces. Zubin Mehta, who has conducted several open air concerts with "The Three Tenors", is a regular open air "pro". The enthusiasm of the listeners inspired him to the unplanned "classical" conclusion of every Strauss concert, a performance of the Radetzky-Marsch. But perhaps part of the inspiration was the euphoria that seized the orchestra that played Johann Strauss' immortal melodies in the Danubian metropolis, Vienna, on the 100th anniversary of the Waltz King's death and that recalled a few compositions by Johann Strauss father. Father and son had spread Vienna's fame as the city of the waltz throughout the world.

1. Einzugsmarsch from "Der Zigeunerbaron"
2. Im Sturmschritt, Polka schnell op. 348
3. Wiener Blut, Walzer op. 354
4. Stadt und Land, Polka mazur op. 332
5. Nur Fort!, Polka op. 383
6. Tritsch Tratsch, Polka schnell op. 214
7. Ouverture "Die Fledermaus"
8. Csardas from "Die Fledermaus"
9. Loreley-Rhein-Klange, Walzer op. 154 Sr.
10. Beliebte Annen-Polka, op.137 Sr.
11. Sperl-Galopp, op. 42
12. Im Krapfenwald'l, Polka francaise op. 336
13. Wiener Bonbons, Walzer op. 307
14. "Wer uns Getraut", from "Der Zigeunerbaron"
15. Unter Donner und Blitz, Polka schnell op. 324
16. "Gondellied" from "Eine Nacht in Venedig"
17. Wiener Blut
18. An der Schonen Blauen Donau, Walzer op. 314 (The Beautiful Blue Danube)
19. Radetzky Marsch, op. 228 Sr.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Joy with a Tip of Regret, November 23, 2001

By 

Juan B. Mansfield (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Johann Strauss Gala - An Evening of Polka, Waltz, and Operetta (DVD)

The audio and video are of top quality. However, in the video several shots are repeated. Having the splendid city of Viena as a background other shots could have enriched the event. Also, having Carreras as a main figure I had expected more performances from him from the very beginning. My rate of 4 is due basically to what in my opinion are slight drawbacks.

Juan Mansfield

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best and only DVD of Johann Strauss that I know, August 14, 2000

By 

Fernando J. Orozco "JohanFer" (El Monte, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Johann Strauss Gala - An Evening of Polka, Waltz, and Operetta (DVD)

This Video of Johann Strauss is just GREAT. It even has the menu in english, spanish, french and japanesse. The Music is great and the scenary could not be better since it is in front of some famous palace in Vienna. It is a live concert with a very special director and very great musicians. The selections used in this video are fablous, since they include marches, polkas, and, of course, waltez. I can also say that one of the violinist is a decendant from Johann Strauss; I am guessing this because it is the only explination to the treatment that he received by everybody: musicians and public. The sound is fantastic and the video is great with all those fantastic takes of the palace and statues arroung the palace. It is a great performance of the music by Strauss in the perfect scenary. And how it is custom already, the video ends with the worlwide known Redesky March by Johann Strauss Senior. You MUST buy this DVD because is just great.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strauss Night in Vienna, May 23, 2005

By 

Mr. John Haueisen (WORTHINGTON, OH (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Johann Strauss Gala - An Evening of Polka, Waltz, and Operetta (DVD)

(This really rates higher than a 4, but less than a 5.)

It's a collection of 19 waltzes, polkas, and pieces from operettas, performed by the Vienna Philharmonic led by Zubin Mehta.

There are favorites, such as The Blue Danube, Wienerblut, Gypsy Baron, and of course the Radetzky March.

To me, it appeared Carreras seemed to struggle just a bit with German, but his voice was strong and enthusiastic.

The high points of this live performance were the duets and the two solos by Andrea Rost. This beautiful singer appeared in three different lovely gowns, sang with warmth and infectous enjoyment, and even hit all the high notes with confidence and grace.

During the "Im Krappenwald'l" polka the camera close-ups let you see the two unusual instruments which make the sound of the cuckoo and the bird chirping in the forest. You even see Zubin Mehta apparently coaxing the muscician into an extra chirp or two.

One improvement would have been to allow some of the audience to dance--Strauss's music was made for dance. Another would have been to have more than Andrea Rost's mere two solos and two duets with Carreras. One more comment: the photography really was excellent--you see far more than most of the concert-goers saw, and at the end, you feel you've enjoyed a night in Vienna.