Mozart: Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail.(Video Recording Review)

Mei, Ciofi; Trost, Montazeri, Rydl, John; Orchestra and Chorus of Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Mehta. TDK DVD DVUS OPEADS (Naxos, dist.), subtitled, 136 mins.

Zubin Mehta often conducted the most famous Entfuhrung production in history, Giorgio Strehler's version first seen at the Salzburg festival in 1965, and the video director for this 2002 Florence production had made Mehta the focal point as well. We keep returning to the maestro in the orchestra pit, not only during instrumental passages but even when the characters are singing. It is particularly unmusical to cut away to the conductor during the little double homily that is the main point of the Act II finale. Mehta does fine work, to be sure: that finale is full of life yet controlled in the progression of moods, prestos are never ridiculously fast, and Constanze's "Ach, ich liebte" locks into a perfect tempo. Mehta is a real lifeline for Rainer Trost in the difficult role of Belmonte. "Wenn der Freude Tranen fliesseu" has a sprightly tempo, and "Ich baue ganz" moves at a quick andante that gives a plausibly determined if unconventional interpretation to the music.

Stage director Massimo Teoldi honors the work by giving us quite a bit of the dialogue (though not all of it) and playing it realistically. There is a detailed conception of Pasha Selim. As played by Markus John, Selim moves from genuine hurt at Constanze's lack of response to an explosion that triggers her "Martern aller Arten," instantly regretted. It's a complicated relationship. Indeed, by the time she starts to sing, there have been so many reactions and changes of heart that the impulse for the aria is lost. ...