The Mozart year of 1991 was celebrated in Salzburg with a new production of Die Zauberflöte, conducted by Georg Solti. The performance was recorded but never appeared on video, now it is on DVD. Requirements for image and sound quality are now a lot higher, but for enthusiasts this DVD is definitely worth it. Our own Jard van Nes is one of the three ladies; Georg Solti himself plays the carillon;
Ruth Ziesak is a beautiful Pamina and we can admire a very young René Pape as Sarastro. Scenes, costumes and lighting produce atmospheric images, especially in the second act, although the intended effect is not always achieved. The giant centaur statues, for example, are less impressive because of the too-small heads of the guards on top. Director Johannes Schaaf chose to use all spoken dialogues, which is interesting from a historical point of view, but which the contemporary public is usually not interested in. (CP)more
