Operas missing on DVD

[makropulos]

In spite of umpteen productions of some operas on DVD, and some real rarities too, there are some big gaps that I hope might be filled one day. Here's a very short wish-list of a few favourite operas I'd like to see issued on DVD. Which ones do others long to see? There are excellent audio-only recordings of all these, but that's not the point of this post.

Rimsky-Korsakov: Christmas Eve (there was a Russian TV broadcast of the Mariinsky production in about 2015 which looks very good from the clip I've seen, but it was never issued on DVD –shouldn't be hard to do; the only complete video version on YouTube is an abysmal performance in poor sound/vision)

Hindemith: Mathis der Maler (a very poor VHS copy of the 1994 Barcelona production is on YouTube)

Nicolai: Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor. How does this not exist on DVD? (There's a German film on YouTube which could be worse –but could be a lot better)

Weinberger: Schwanda the Bagpiper. (Incredibly, Weinberger's Frühlingsstürme is now on DVD –I watched it yesterday –but Schwanda isn't)

Janáček: The Adventures of Mr Brouček. (An old black and white Czech TV production has sometimes been on YouTube but that's about it)

Enesco: Oedipe. (There's a 2016 Bucharest production on YouTube, chopped into 20 minute segments with oddly poor sound for such a recent broadcast)

Vaughan Williams: Pilgrim's Progress. (If the RNCM were to make their production from a couple of years ago available, I'd be in the front of the queue for it).

Heuberger: Der Opernball. (Yes, I know the 1970 German filmed version is available on DVD, but it's a complete travesty with new orchestrations and much else wrong with it. A DVD of a good stage production would be very welcome).

I'm sure I could think of quite a few more... but I wonder what other operas people would like to see as well as hear?

[Bryn]

Despite a 'making of' DVD, there is still no DVD or Glass's Akhnaten. I'm not that eager but it does seem strange that none of its productions has made it to DVD.

[Roslynmuse]

Am I correct in thinking that King Priam is the only Tippett opera available on DVD? (I see Midsummer Marriage is on Youtube, and a chunk of the Ice Break, audio only of a complete Ice Break and Knot Garden but no New Year at all - and it's shocking that there has been no audio release of that after 30 years...)

[Joseph K]

I'd like Birtwistle's Mask of Orpheus on DVD, also Ferneyhough's Shadowtime.

[Cockney Sparrow]

In spite of umpteen productions of some operas on DVD, and some real rarities too, there are some big gaps that I hope might be filled one day...............
...Vaughan Williams: Pilgrim's Progress. (If the RNCM were to make their production from a couple of years ago available, I'd be in the front of the queue for it).

I'd be second. I still can't believe that on this forum (with (neglected & other) British composer threads) the RNCM production wasn't mentioned until it was over - for a work so very rarely performed. (DVD- Vaughan Williams Society?).

Having said that, I did at least see the ROH production (in their other venue period when the House was being redeveloped) and the amazing Roderick Williams/Hickox Sadlers Wells production. As to the latter, I asked Tony Palmer whether it would be performed again, after the loss of Richard Hickox and he said whilst he was a great advocate of the piece, the moving spirit behind the production was David Edwards.

[makropulos]

I'd be second. I still can't believe that on this forum (with (neglected & other) British composer threads) the RNCM production wasn't mentioned until it was over - for a work so very rarely performed. (DVD- Vaughan Williams Society?).

Having said that, I did at least see the ROH production (in their other venue period when the House was being redeveloped) and the amazing Roderick Williams/Hickox Sadlers Wells production. As to the latter, I asked Tony Palmer whether it would be performed again, after the loss of Richard Hickox and he said whilst he was a great advocate of the piece, the moving spirit behind the production was David Edwards.

I saw the Sadler's Wells Hickox production in 2008 and thought it marvellous too (not so the ENO one a few years later, with Brabbins). But I have to say that I think the RNCM production was the most inspiring I've ever seen, helped by David Parry's beautiful conducting of the score, and the very strong ensemble feel of the cast/production (and those haunting Paul Nash-inspired sets). It was also professionally filmed... (the Pilgrim in Prison scene is on YouTube as a very tantalising fragment).

[Dave2002]

Despite a 'making of' DVD, there is still no DVD or Glass's Akhnaten. I'm not that eager but it does seem strange that none of its productions has made it to DVD.

You can watch it again soon I think courtesy of the Met. Check out the Met web site for the date - or alternatively subscribe.

https://www.metopera.org/season/on-demand/opera/?upc=810004200920

i think if you browse the site you might find out how to access it when it is available - I assume free, gratis and for nothing. I believe it's on the listing this week or next.

[Cockney Sparrow]

I saw the Sadler's Wells Hickox production in 2008 and thought it marvellous too (not so the ENO one a few years later, with Brabbins). But I have to say that I think the RNCM production was the most inspiring I've ever seen, helped by David Parry's beautiful conducting of the score, and the very strong ensemble feel of the cast/production (and those haunting Paul Nash-inspired sets). It was also professionally filmed... (the Pilgrim in Prison scene is on YouTube as a very tantalising fragment).

I gave the ENO a miss - didn't pre-book given their (to say the least) patchy quality of productions and glad I hadn't when I read about it.

I'm not feeling any better reading the RNCM production excelled, nor about the Paul Nash (a favourite artist with me) sets! I'll just hang on to my memory of Roderick William's total commitment to the role of Pilgrim at Sadlers' Wells.....

[Bryn]

Somewhat of topic but I would really welcome a DVD of productions of Gay's The Beggar's Opera and its sequel, Polly that were up to the standard set by the Radio 3 productions of 1978 and 1983 respectively.

https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/8d072a6f028545a4bbefdc1f2eb03330

https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/c8bca3a5d1f148bf96f3041619e5c789

Failing that, rebroadcast of those Radio 3 productions would be very welcome indeed.

[Dave2002]

I saw the Sadler's Wells Hickox production in 2008 and thought it marvellous too (not so the ENO one a few years later, with Brabbins). But I have to say that I think the RNCM production was the most inspiring I've ever seen, helped by David Parry's beautiful conducting of the score, and the very strong ensemble feel of the cast/production (and those haunting Paul Nash-inspired sets). It was also professionally filmed... (the Pilgrim in Prison scene is on YouTube as a very tantalising fragment).

I did see the ENO production of The Pilgrim's Progress, and also Sir John in Love. That still leaves several other RVW operas left useen - including Hugh the Drover, The Poisoned Kiss, Riders to the Sea and Thomas the Rhymer.

Pilgrim was odd at the ENO, but I didn't dislike it too much.

[kuligin]

I really prefer productions that do no wander too far from the libretto, but I did not dislike the ENO production, nor the RNCM which started but did not continue in World War I, the Hicox at Sadlers Wells was musically excellent but really a Semi Production and I am convinced it works best as a fully staged opera.

The best production by far I have seen was the first at RNCM, must have been around 1992. I saw the Sir John in Love at ENO too, a poor adaption compared to Nicolai and Verdi but some good music but far too many characters. I saw Riders to the Sea at Buxton where it knocked Holst’s Wandering Scholar for 6.

Despite having seen 6 VW stagings I am not fully convinced that he was a natural opera composer but really they all deserve better than they have received from our Opera Companies.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

A few Tchaikovsky operas (other than Eugene Onegin and The Queen of Spades) would be most welcome, especially my favourite, The Maid of Orleans.

[Cockney Sparrow]

I did see the ENO production of The Pilgrim's Progress, and also Sir John in Love. That still leaves several other RVW operas left useen - including Hugh the Drover, The Poisoned Kiss, Riders to the Sea and Thomas the Rhymer.

Pilgrim was odd at the ENO, but I didn't dislike it too much.

I really prefer productions that do no wander too far from the libretto, but I did not dislike the ENO production, nor the RNCM which started but did not continue in World War I, the Hicox at Sadlers Wells was musically excellent but really a Semi Production and I am convinced it works best as a fully staged opera.

The best production by far I have seen was the first at RNCM, must have been around 1992. I saw the Sir John in Love at ENO too, a poor adaption compared to Nicolai and Verdi but some good music but far too many characters. I saw Riders to the Sea at Buxton where it knocked Holst’s Wandering Scholar for 6.

Despite having seen 6 VW stagings I am not fully convinced that he was a natural opera composer but really they all deserve better than they have received from our Opera Companies.

Well, I've seen the Wandering Scholar at the Cadogan Hall (Michael Kennedy was there, walking with great difficulty) and the Poisoned Kiss at Eastbourne (IIRC) - New Sussex Opera (definite shades of G&S I thought for the latter). I also saw Sir John in Love at ENO which I thought did it reasonable justice. I'm not sure I'll get to see a production of Thomas the Rhymer - as Wickipedia says it was incomplete perhaps not surprisingly.

I saw Riders to the Sea at the Coliseum which I thought was very good, and excellently matched with a staged "Luonnotar". Sparse, astringent and of course a tragic story - quite a different piece from P Progress......

I was overjoyed to experience the semi-staged Pilgrim's Progress at Sadlers Wells - live performance really is the best experience; hence my regrets that the RNCM production passed me by. I've been fond of the piece from my twenties based entirely - well for many years - on the Boult recording. Whilst it may not qualify as a fluent musical drama without problems in the staging it does, as you infer, warrant a decent production once in a while.....

Here's hoping there will be another.

[LHC]

A great many years ago I directed a double bill of Holst's Savitri and Riders to the Sea. Riders to the Sea is a fabulously compact opera, and I think works really well. I'm surprised its not done more often.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

A great many years ago I directed a double bill of Holst's Savitri and Riders to the Sea. Riders to the Sea is a fabulously compact opera, and I think works really well. I'm surprised its not done more often.

I think I'll stick my next out and suggest Riders to the Sea is VW's finest opera. Emotionally intense to the point of exhaustion.