Leos Janacek - From the House of Dead / MCO, ASC, Boulez, Chereau

Festival Aix-en-Provence 2007

Directed by Patrice Chereau, Stephane Metge

Starring: Olaf Bär, Peter Straka, Heinz Zednik, John Mark Ainsley, Pierre Boulez

Deutsche Grammophon, 2007, DVD

Product Description

Janác ek s rarely performed final opera From the House of
the Dead is brought to the stage by acclaimed director
Patrice Chéreau and legendary conductor Pierre Boulez,
serving as the third collaboration between the celebrated
team behind the famous best-selling DVD Ring also on DG.
This production, commissioned by the Aix-en-Provence
Festival, has been widely hailed as one of the operatic
highlights of the new millennium.
Harrowing and unforgettable; one of the great Janác ek
interpretations of our time. The Guardian

Product Details

Title: Leos Janacek - From the House of Dead / MCO, ASC, Boulez, Chereau (Festival Aix-en-Provence 2007)
Sales Rank: 7516 in Music
Actor: Olaf Bär, Peter Straka, Heinz Zednik, John Mark Ainsley, Pierre Boulez
Director: Patrice Chereau, Stephane Metge
Studio: Deutsche Grammophon, 2008-04-22, Theatrical Release: 2007
Format: Color, NTSC, Acpect Ratio 1.78:1
Languages: Czech (Original Language), English (Original Language), German (Original Language), French (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language)
Audience Rating: Unrated
Running Time: 100 minutes
Package Dimensions: 7.56 x 5.2 x 0.55 inches, 0.35 pounds

Customer Reviews

Janacek's From the House of the Dead (DVD): This, one of the greatest operas of the twentieth century which, because of its language and setting, is not performed as often as it should be receives a magnificent performance here: the production, singing, and orchestral performance are all superb. A must for all lovers of Janacek and of twentieth-century opera. More than just a supplement to the definitive Mackerras CD recording of the work. Most… More reviews

Stunning!: What an emotionally harrowing experience is watching this opera for the first time.
Stephane Metge has made a film using the production by Patrice Chereau and Pierre Boulez (together again 30 some years after their famous Bayreuth Ring) and what a film it is.
Boulez, almost literally seems to conjure this stunning performance from the Mahler… More reviews

The living dead: Prior to watching this, I had never seen or heard this opera before, but I like Janacek, love Dostoevsky, so I thought I would give it a try. Good call. From the House of the Dead is a bleak but essential opera, and Stephan Metge's film of Patrice Chereau's dank, foggy, severe staging makes for a powerful viewing experience. Almost from the first note… More reviews

A searing and memorable final production from Boulez and Chereau: Janacek's final opera, composed in 1927-28 and given its posthumous premiere two years later, is based on the Dostoyevsky novel written in 1861-62 in which the author renders his own prison experiences. The story as seen in the opera is not presented in a linear fashion, rather it is like a Robert Altman film such as Nashville or Short Cuts where an ensemble cast presents several… More reviews

excellent late Janacek: I have no idea how this compares to Charles MacKerras' cd versions of the opera, nor do I care - I'm keeping both (I own the Decca/Vienna Phil. recording from MacKerras). Watching this on dvd brings the story and action to a whole different level, especially when the acting is as visceral and excellent as it is here. Of course, the real star of the show is Janacek's amazing orchestral… More reviews