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Berg - Lulu Davis, Schafer, Bailey, Kuebler, Harries, Schone, Bardon, Glyndebourne
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JazzDigger Home > B - Jazz Artists > Donald Bailey > Item 24
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Berg - Lulu Davis, Schafer, Bailey, Kuebler, Harries, Schone, Bardon, Glyndebourne
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by Christine Schäfer, Kathryn Harries, Neil Jenkins, Donald Maxwell, and Jonathan Veira
Price:$26.99
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Listener Reviews & Comments
I cannot say enough good about Glyndebourne's 1996 production of Berg's opera recently (and finally) released on video here in the States. Initially I believed I'd be disappointed in this unit set. Wrong. A tall, brick semi-circular wall of red brick with offset white bricks that extend as necessary into beams, creating an angular stage wide staircase joining otherwise impossible to use doorways, etc. A bare floor with 3 or 4 concentric circles revolves (sometimes in opposite directions) as necessary denoting scene changes etc. At its direct center is a vast round hole. This circular concept is fascinatingly explored bookending Lulu's going full circle - beginning and ending in the gutter. Interesting too watching her rise from this hole (a really great visual) in her first scene to sinking permanently into it in the final. Once again the team of Graham Vick and Paul Brown shed new light on one of opera's best bad girl stories. That said light is brilliant is a cause for celebration! Andrew Davis leads the London Philharmonic in a reading of the score that may well be the most heavily romantic I've encountered. Berg's exquisite melodies have never sounded more obvious (and sometimes drawn out - wondrously so) as here. The jazz elements never sound foreign or archly intrusive as they sometimes can, but rather all of a piece. The audience - already berserk at final curtain goes berserker still at Maestro Davis's bow. If ever a singer was made for a role it is Christine Schaefer. Ms. Schaefer's incarnation of this notoriously and fiendishly difficult role comes off, both in voice and body, as an almost "victoire trop facile" for she is, quite simply, Lulu. Schaefer exudes a raw, otherwordly femininity and sensuality - the first notable gal to play by her own rules, facing odds and consequences with an aplomb most men either find shocking or forget completely the scruples they once possessed. Brilliantly costumed Schaefer looks amazing whether she's in leather, lace or latex. Heck, this Lulu even makes a bath towel look like evening wear. (And the "painting" with her in almost painted on pants is hot stuff.) Wolfgang Schoene paints Schoen in broad strokes on a huge emotional canvas and the payoff is huge! Wonderful throughout, he is particularly mesmerizing watching this "giant" of a human reduced to putty in the letter writing scene. He is a helpless bear and he gets his just desserts, alright! While not vocally - physically, in Kathryn Harries's portrayal of Geschwitz looks like Frederica von Stade. Her countess is particularly pitiable, a frightened bird - her act of heroism in the escape comes off with incredible passion. Also a little creepy since I found it impossible to decide whether the act was purely selfless or selfish. Her grizzly, filthy demise following Lulu's horrifying screams were particularly chilling and heartbreaking. Stephan Drakulic offers a tremendous portrayal of the Painter. Here we see Lulu's first victim (not, of course, sequentially) trapped in a fatal obsession where he's so hot for her he can't keep his hands off her (or his pants on). His Act II with Schoen is really played out bigger than I recall in any other Lulu and it is shattering to watch both ego and love fly out the window as Schoen repeatedly suggests his sole success was having "married a half a million" - reducing the artist to nothing in a matter of minutes. His return as a post punk, metal white trash Negro was initially a humorous, then chilling turn. Wonderful to see Norman Bailey as a more human than usual Schigolch, yet retaining a wonderful bum-like craziness. There is a wonderful black and white film during Act II's great intermezzo - showing the action we "miss", Lulu's trial, the Countess's panty exchange, all in a silent "film noire" style. The film ends back at Glyndebourne in an empty house with Maestro Davis conducting. Amazing! I could go on for pages more - but will spare you by saying: if you love Lulu - you won't want to be without this most exciting DVD. It really is remarkable and Schaefer gives a performance that simply cannot be missed!
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Berg - Lulu Davis, Schafer, Bailey, Kuebler, Harries, Schone, Bardon, Glyndebourne
by Christine Schäfer, Kathryn Harries, Neil Jenkins, Donald Maxwell, and Jonathan Veira
Price:$26.99
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