| Label: SONY Catalog: 88697910099 Format: DVD Julia Migenes (Lulu), Evelyn Lear (Countess Geschwitz), Kenneth Riegel (Alwa), Frank Little (Painter/Negro), Franz Mazura (Dr. Schön/Jack the Ripper)
The Metropolitan Opera & Chorus, James LevineWholenote Discoveries - October 2011
Of the four operas in this new release, I found Alban Berg’s “Lulu” the most engrossing. Perhaps it is the lingering impression of Louise Brooks’ portrayal in Georg Pabst’s 1929 German film, Pandora’s Box. John Dexter was the producer and Jocelyn Herbert was responsible for the sets and costume design of the Met’s Lulu, all coming together in a mise en scène that is appropriately surreal and decadent, as it would be in productions of the time of Pandora. Julia Migenes is the ill-fated Lulu and Franz Mazura is Jack the Ripper, Lulu’s last customer. The Countess is sung by Evelyn Lear and Kenneth Riegel is Alwa. There are over 20 singing roles in Lulu, too many to list here. Suffice to say, this is an unusually compelling and enthralling performance in dynamic stereo or 5.1 surround sound. James Levine conducts. Bruce Surtees |