Classical
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Lehar - Der Zarewitsch
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Sale Price: $18.97
List Price: $29.98
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I must say at the start of this review, the four stars are awarded because of Teresa Stratas -- the film of Lehar's evergreen operetta itself is otherwise a fairly undistinguised two-star affair. Wieslaw Ochman, the titular prince, sings nicely enough, but looks all too often as though he's trying to digest a particularly tough schnitzel. The rest of the supporting cast mug and whirl through a series of melodramatic scenes, limp comic numbers and uninspired dance routines that remind you why operetta fell into disfavor in the first place. The transfer's fine, but that only serves to give one a clearer look at the rug warehouse and Klimt-in-the-nursery-school painted drops that make up the incredibly tatty physical production on display. Two things, though, stand out, glowing and triumphant. Lehar's gift for melody still delights, and this score boasts some of the loveliest tunes he ever wrote. And Teresa Stratas, who cut her teeth on a number of these German operetta flicks before hitting international stardom, is absolutely enchanting. That her singing's lovely comes as no surprise; those of us who thrilled to her Lulu or Suor Angelica know the lady's a fine actress, too. But the depth of feeling and delicacy of emotion she brings to a somewhat cardboard role are truly exemplary. Any singer aspiring to an opera career should watch carefully how Stratas illumines the cliched text and, with a minimum of effort, finds layers of meaning while those around her are content to merely skim the surface. If you're not completely immune to sobbing through your schlag, you'll find much to enjoy here.
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