While my favourite audio recording (out of the hundreds available!) is the earlier Hungaroton with Gyorgy Melis and Katalin Kasza and the Budapest Phil conducted by Janos Ferencsik - an authentic all Hungarian project with appropriate eery enveloping acoustic - and I have seen it on stage at the ENO in London, absolutely nothing compares with this superbly crafted film oozing with artistry and high production standards.
The singers follow the Hungaroton reference cited above in the strong virile genuine bass of Robert Lloyd and Elizabeth Laurence's high soprano which convey both menace and frayed nerves respectively tinged with on the one hand grave conscience and on the other uncontrolled curiosity.... (the lip synch is more than adequate)
The excellent stereo (on my system anyway!) DVD sound is a step forward in quality and allows for Bartok's fine orchestrations (he was the Twentieth Century master of orchestral colour) to clearly float above the action on the screen. While the stage production is fairly static and can drag in my humble opinion this filmatic visualisation and its careful subtle camera work provides welcome shifting the point of view between the two protagonists while the different tableaux "behind" the locked doors - each becoming more horrific and psychologically twisted - is brought to life with startling effect!
Have purchased and enjoyed many "filmed" operas available on DVD this particular one easily is my FIRST CHOICE!
A desert island DVD. Hopefully where is not a single locked door.
The singers follow the Hungaroton reference cited above in the strong virile genuine bass of Robert Lloyd and Elizabeth Laurence's high soprano which convey both menace and frayed nerves respectively tinged with on the one hand grave conscience and on the other uncontrolled curiosity.... (the lip synch is more than adequate)
The excellent stereo (on my system anyway!) DVD sound is a step forward in quality and allows for Bartok's fine orchestrations (he was the Twentieth Century master of orchestral colour) to clearly float above the action on the screen. While the stage production is fairly static and can drag in my humble opinion this filmatic visualisation and its careful subtle camera work provides welcome shifting the point of view between the two protagonists while the different tableaux "behind" the locked doors - each becoming more horrific and psychologically twisted - is brought to life with startling effect!
Have purchased and enjoyed many "filmed" operas available on DVD this particular one easily is my FIRST CHOICE!
A desert island DVD. Hopefully where is not a single locked door.