This DVD item from Deutsche Grammophon was reviewed on 17-Mar-2009.
Mozart - Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio) / Bohm, Gruberova, Grist Reference DVD. Classifications : Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus By Composer Classical Musicals & Performing Arts Genres DVD Video Classical (c.1770-1830) By Historical Period Classical Musicals & Performing Arts Genres DVD Video General AA . Click the following link to view the cover of Mozart - Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio) / Bohm, Gruberova, Grist. Related topics: 1980. By Composer. Classical. Genres. DVD. Video. Classical. Genres. DVD. Video. General AAS. requestid: 37733a81-cfa3-40a0-ad79-81936f7da3ce
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1) DVD DVD Mozart - Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio) / Bohm, Gruberova, Grist by Deutsche Grammophon. Whether or not you purchase this video will depend largely on how much you admire Karl Bohm (1894-1981), the Austrian conductor who made hundreds of recordings (many of them for DG) with the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, Dresden State Orchestra, and Bavarian State orchestra. I for one am such an admirer of Bohm-I would get almost any recording he made if the price is within reason in a month that´s not too tight budget-wise. For this Mozart "Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail", I bought the DVD in 2003, and have enjoyed it from time to time ever since.
The singers: Edita Gruberova, Francisco Araiza, Reri Grist, Martti Talvela, and Norbert Orth, are all very fine, even if Araiza doesn´t compete with Fritz Wunderlich in his celebrated 1965 DG recording, with Eugen Jochum and the Bavarian State Opera. Some opera fans may be more picky about sets, staging, or tempos than I am, but I found all this most enjoyable. One caveat: there are ensemble imperfections between Grist and Talvela in their duet about 1/3 way through the opera, and the 6/8 tempo in one section is too slow: it should really move. Compare this with the same duet in the Wunderlich/Jochum recording, and see what I mean.
DG has re-released this video, perhaps in better sound and picture quality, for about $25.00. I haven´t seen the newer edition, but am guessing it is superior to this earlier DVD release. For this DVD, the picture is full screen and quite clear, and the camera work is very good: each soloist is shown in context when alone, or with the group on stage in ensembles.
Balances between soloists and orchestra are fine, which is more difficult in live opera productions than in the studio where conditions are more conducive to capturing a good recording.
I don´t know another DVD recording of "Die Entfuhrung" for comparison, but would recommend either the Bohm/Dresden Staatskapelle (DG CD), Beecham/Royal Philharmonic (EMI, mono) or Jochum/Bavarian State Opera (DG CD, with Fritz Wunderlich as Belmonte!) as alternatives: the Jochum/Wunderlich above all others.¤ 2) DVD DVD Mozart - Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio) / Bohm, Gruberova, Grist by Deutsche Grammophon. Although this opera of Mozart is not on the same popularity as Don Giovanni and Le Nozze de Figaro, however it is still Mozart´s enchanting melodious,cheerful and spirited music. It is also enhanced by the divine singing of Edita Gruberova as Constanze with her clear coloratura voice performing with mafnificent passion in this opera. Regretfully the tenor Francisco Araiza as Belmonte, although his singing is quite good apparently has no matching voice to Gruberova. His solo singing is as superb as ever, but all duets with Gruberova sounds rather unharmonized.However, by adding Reri Grist as Blonde and Norbert Orth as Pedrillo, together made all the unharominized sounds better in the next following quartets, which is really beautiful and overlay any imperfections. The entire performance itself is presented magnificently due to the background sets and the costumes which are so splendid and give the right imagination of the place of the story itself.
Last but not least, the performance in its entirety is enjoyable, especially the divine solo arias sung by Edita Gruberova, which can be regarded as one in the height of her successful performances.¤ 3) DVD DVD Mozart - Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio) / Bohm, Gruberova, Grist by Deutsche Grammophon. This production of Mozart´s Abduction from the Seraglio is sung in German with subtitles in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, and Chinese. Karl Bohm conducts the Bavarian State Opera Orchestra. Edita Gruberova and Francisco Araiza do full justice to Mozart´s beautiful music. Araiza´s voice is simply sweet and flawless. Gruberova shows herself to be a master singer, a true prima donna, in the best sense of the term. Her "Marten alle Arten" aria captures a beautiful Mozart moment in time, as if it were a dazzling little snow-globe you want to hold in your hands, and cherish forever. Although the story line is basically a boyfriend breaking into a harem to free his girlfriend, the greater message is what all the characters learn from the Pasha: Wise is the person who realizes that you cannot force someone to love you. This is a classic performance of the incredibly beautiful Mozart melodies. Some other productions have more colorful costuming and stage sets; this one has a more traditional approach, with the emphasis on classic bel canto, where you listen more for the beautiful art of singing. If you prefer the SINGING to the set and costumes, this is the one for you.¤ 4) DVD DVD Mozart - Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio) / Bohm, Gruberova, Grist by Deutsche Grammophon. This "Entfuhrung..." is one of the best TV opera productions I´ve ever seen... and I´ve seen too many.
The quality of the music is unmatchable. Herr Bohm conducts the orchestra very well. The perfomers? From Selim (spoken character) to every singer do it awesome. Specially the Soprano arias of Constanze. Gruberova sings them quite well. Belmonte is played by Araiza. This opera is a comical work. If you´re a purist or are stuck with Wagner´s work, do not watch it. It will take you out a laugh or two (specially the bad tempered Osmin and the easy going Pedrillo aria of "Baccus")¤ 5) DVD DVD Mozart - Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio) / Bohm, Gruberova, Grist by Deutsche Grammophon. I really enjoyed it. Mozart really knew how to write operas. I highly recommend it. I own all his operas. Another piece to my opera collection. You won´t be disappointed. Also,don´t forget to buy his other operas. You can find them on Amazon,along with lists of other fine operas.¤ Page Updated: Robert N. Goolsby, 14-Apr-2009, 044007302095, MJB-W4B-9GB-8 
Mozart - Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio) / Bohm, Gruberova, Grist, DVD, Image © Deutsche Grammophon
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