What opera have you been watching lately?

[JohnGerald]

Where would one find this version of Martha? Is it a DVD?

^ Re-watching this Martha production (post may be on previous page). It is so good, that after finishing it the first time several days ago I had no desire to start another opera from my UWP of DVDs. I pined for more Martha, searched You Tube for other complete videos, but alas there are none. Yet, what was I lamenting when this is a first rate production, lacking only in subtitles, and I know it well enough to enjoy it without the subtitles.

[Florestan]

Where would one find this version of Martha? Is it a DVD?

It is only the You tube video posting, but it is wonderful. I once saw a Martha on video with Waltraud Meier as Nancy. Was very good but the picture quality was poor and it was choppy. German television broadcast. I don't see it on You Tube though. But this one is much, much better in picture and sound and, in fact, I may like it better than the CD recordings that are available, perhaps just because it is associated with the images in the video. I am reposting it here for convenience. You have to watch it multiple times because there is so much going on and the singers are all great actors. Watch the facial exprressions, especially of the leading ladies and Lionel. BTW, this is the same Lionel as in the one I saw with Waltraud Meier. He is very good!

Check out this scene where the guys ask the ladies to hang up their hats. Watch Martha's (Lady Harriet, the redhead) expression privately to Julia as Julia (Nancy) throws the hat on the floor. Then watch Martha's reaction as Lionel asks her to hang up his hat. This opera is a gem!



Here is a fine synopsis of Martha.

And here is an excellent libretto in English.

[JohnGerald]

MANY thanks. Martha is an old fave.

[Florestan]

MANY thanks. Martha is an old fave.

I am very happy to find someone who really appreciates this opera.

[Sonata]

Watching this Simon Boccanegra which I rented from the library

[JohnGerald]

We watched Martha yesterday, and it was dandy!

I am very happy to find someone who really appreciates this opera.

[Soave_Fanciulla]

It is only the You tube video posting, but it is wonderful. I once saw a Martha on video with Waltraud Meier as Nancy. Was very good but the picture quality was poor and it was choppy. German television broadcast. I don't see it on You Tube though. But this one is much, much better in picture and sound and, in fact, I may like it better than the CD recordings that are available, perhaps just because it is associated with the images in the video. I am reposting it here for convenience. You have to watch it multiple times because there is so much going on and the singers are all great actors. Watch the facial exprressions, especially of the leading ladies and Lionel. BTW, this is the same Lionel as in the one I saw with Waltraud Meier. He is very good!

Check out this scene where the guys ask the ladies to hang up their hats. Watch Martha's (Lady Harriet, the redhead) expression privately to Julia as Julia (Nancy) throws the hat on the floor. Then watch Martha's reaction as Lionel asks her to hang up his hat. This opera is a gem!



Here is a fine synopsis of Martha.

And here is an excellent libretto in English.

Do you have the cast list, Florestan?

[Florestan]

Do you have the cast list, Florestan?

Cast listing is at the end of the opera, here it begins at this point:
https://youtu.be/_tqJpnCakLE?t=6613

[Florestan]

[DasNino]

I also like Martha, i have some old recording, I think it's from 1942 Berlin or something like that, cast was amazing and i really like the story. i think I might buy just one more (recording) with Anneliese Rothemberger, EMI did this series in 2011, releasing so many recordings with Rothenberger, all rare gems, and Martha is among them.



just finished watching this one few days ago. I must say I'm not a huge fan of this opera, I don't know why, it has it's moments but it's almost like with aida, "sounds good, dosen't work (for me)". But with thime I might find some sort of love for it, so something like it. Anyway Cast is superb, Lucic, Antonenko, Yoncheva, but nothing less is to expect from MET

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

I have to confess I don't know Fidelio at all but in anticipation of seeing it next year while I'm in Vienna, I bought this DVD for homework and have watched about a third so far. It was a cheap used copy and I don't know whether or not I picked a good version but I really like it!

[Florestan]

I have to confess I don't know Fidelio at all but in anticipation of seeing it next year while I'm in Vienna, I bought this DVD for homework and have watched about a third so far. It was a cheap used copy and I don't know whether or not I picked a good version but I really like it!

Here is a review at Music Web. Noteworthy notes on this production include this (bold emphasis added):

A tall woman, she acts convincingly, except learning how to walk like a man, and reveals herself as a woman to Pizarro by tearing open her tunic to reveal naked female breasts; soft porn reaches opera! When she does undo her hair, the traditional manner of Fidelio revealing she is Leonore, Florestan’s wife, her long hair has a more revealing impact (double entendre intended).

Best Fidelio DVD I have ever seen out of about 10-12 I have watched is Bernstein with Gundula Janowitz.

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

Here is a review at Music Web.

Best Fidelio DVD I have ever seen out of about 10-12 I have watched is Bernstein with Gundula Janowitz.

Thank you! I've got an mp3 but haven't a clue now where I got it from so don't know who is singing. I've got time to learn it properly.

[Florestan]

Thank you! I've got an mp3 but haven't a clue now where I got it from so don't know who is singing. I've got time to learn it properly.

Do they give any info on the type of production you will be seeing next year? Traditional? Modernized? ...

[Ann Lander (sospiro)]

Do they give any info on the type of production you will be seeing next year? Traditional? Modernized? ...

It's this one: https://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/en/...49529-fidelio/

From the trailer it looks traditional.