Berlin Opera Night

An All-Star Operatic Gala from Berlin to Benefit AIDS Foundation
This DVD is a somewhat abridged presentation of an all-star operatic AIDS benefit gala from 2003 at the German Opera of Berlin (Deutsche Oper Berlin), conducted by Kent Nagano, and featuring some glittering opera singers from around the world as well as some newcomers. The festive crowd, dressed to the nines, were a very well-behaved opera crowd considering the level of the performances. Perhaps this wasn't a dyed-in-the-wool opera-going audience. Aside from some bravos for Salvatore Licitra (and not particularly well-deserved) the crowd simply clapped rather like a group of Prince Orlofskys.

But the program! Amazon hasn't listed it as of the date of this review, so I'll do so now.

1. 'La Rejouissance' from Handel's Water Music, played by the very fine Deutsche Oper orchestra, led by Nagano who was conducting them for the first time ever.

2. Angelika Kirchschlager, mezzo, singing 'Non so più' and 'Voi, che sapete' from 'Marriage of Figaro...

Wish it is longer!
I didn't know a lot of the singers shown on this DVD, so this was a nice introduction to them. It is just intriguing to see how different singers do their stuff in recital.

I like Angelika Kirchschlager's voice, and she looks like she is seeing her Cherubino scenes while singing, but somehow that doesn't translate into the voice (guess I'm spoiled by having heard Susan Graham's and Vesselina Kasarova's versions of the pieces before). She is wonderful in the Rosenkavalier trio, tho, and did not get killed by Nagano and his 5 French horns... or Juliane Banse's really big-voiced Sophie (Banse nearly single-handedly killed the sweet voiced Marschallin Pieczonka in that trio, however).

Rene Pape gives a slick 'Madamina, il catalogo' and Michele Crider gives such a thrilling 'Vissi d'arte' even she herself doesn't want to leave the stage afterward. This is the first time I hear (and see) Adriane Pieczonka and I like her Rusalka and Marschallin a lot. Anne Schwanewilms...

Can only concur:
I can only concur with J. Scott Morrison's review - again! We seem to hear and see the same in viewing opera videos. I was surprised to hear Crider do as well on Vissi and not surprised by Bumbry who is one of my favorite mezzo sopranos. I've heard much better Nessum Dorma's but overall enjoyed this gala very much. I too could not erase Fleming's Hymn to the Moon but love the Canadian soprano whom I've heard several times live. She is wonderful! I do recommend this concert to all opera lovers! How nice to see an audience dress with respect for the artists or one heck of a party afterward! The shots of the audience were as much fun as the performers. J. Scott Morrison is right on all his points. A nice addition to an opera collection.

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