Peter Seiffert: A Tannhäuser to Be Reckoned With

Tannhäuser
Orchester der Oper Zurich, cond. Franz Welser-Möst, Chor des Opernhauses Zurich
Tannhäuser: Peter Seiffert; Elisabeth: Solveig Kringelborn; Venus: Isabelle Kabatu; Wolfram von Eschenbach: Roman Trekel; Hermann, Landgraf: Alfred Muff
Running time: 187 mins. on one DVD
Audio content: linear PCM stereo, Dolby 5.1 surround, DTS 5.1 surround
NTSC system 16:9
Sung in German, with subtitles
EMI Classic
Rating: ***

This heavily dramatic production of Tannhäuser elucidates hitherto obscure points of Wagner’s most troublesome opera thanks to Seiffert’s phenomenal acting. This most impassioned of Tannhäusers emotes (perhaps to excess) at every opportunity, even when he is not singing. His “Inbrunst im Herzen” (Act 3) comes to life like no other Rome Narration I have seen, with disgust at the unforgiving pope blazing from his mien. Kringelborn’s Elisabeth is exceptionally lustful, without diminishing the purity of the character. In quiet moments, Kringelborn is expressive, spontaneous, and fresh as an Easter lily. Her “All-mächtige Jungfrau (Act 3) is ardent and sincere--quite a feat considering that she sings while cutting her own hair. Kabatu as Venus is slightly shrill, with unintended overtones in her voice, but her sinuous movements are enjoyable. Wolfram has some of the loftiest notes in the entire Wagner canon, but Trekel’s light voice and imprecise intonation are disappointing. The sets are attractive in their minimalist way. The sound of the small orchestra is thin and the conducting unimaginative, although this improves as the opera unfolds. The most frustrating aspect of this DVD is the camera work. There are too many close-ups, and the camera’s focus often shifts to the principals rather than to those who are actually singing.

–Dalia Geffen