Matthew J. Williams

Oh that Dresden sound..., July 3 2004

The Dresden Orchestra is among my favourites - it has this wonderful autumnal sound that suits Wagner & Strauss to a 'T'.

Janowski's conducting is ideal for living with - he keeps things moving along nicely, sets up climaxes perfectly and never loses sight of the overall structure of the operas. This thoroughly musical performance would be an ideal introduction for anyone coming fresh to the ring, as it lacks the eccentricities of other cycles that can overtake your expectations of what 'should be'. More experienced ring collectors, too, will find themselves enthralled by much in this bargain-priced set.

More than any of the recent recordings Janowski's casting quality runs deep… Read more

An Ideal Introduction to Janacek, Jun 25 2004

The unique headiness of Janacek's music cradles a compelling psychological drama that examines the benefits or otherwise of longevity. The opera is only 95 minutes long (similar in length to Strauss' Salome), and this DVD is a profoundly satisfying performance in every department.

Silja is Emilia Marty, an opera prima donna who, despite being 337 years old (a fact unknown to everyone around her) is sexually irresistable. She has consumed an anti-ageing potion brewed by her father, and towards the end of the opera the question is raised of the desirability of such a potion being available.

Smaller parts are all very well taken although Emilia so dominates the opera it wouldn't… Read more

Compelling film of a somewhat prophetic opera..., Jun 25 2004

For my money, Adam's political balance in the opera is just right - as evidenced by the controversy and outrage on both sides represented.

The film opens with the two 'overtures' of equal length - the chorus of exiled Palestinians and the chorus of exiled Jews (sung perfectly by the LSO chorus). The former is accompanied by haunting footage of the Palestinians being driven from their homes in 1948 to make room for the incoming ex-European Jews. The latter plays over equally haunting holocaust footage. The stage is set, and numerous visual links are created between that introduction and later parts of the opera.

I thought Adams' harmonies were compelling and his music has a sense of… Read more