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Title: One of Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov's Fairytale Operas
Review: Sung in German with no English subtitles, this is the Harry Kupfer production from Dresden's Semper Opera House. The film was made in 1978, in what was then East Germany, and makes a hash out of Pushkin's original story. This version is so heavily cut as to render the storyline almost incomprehensible. Even the best piece in the opera (the lovely tenor aria from Act III) is gone! With its Russian origins so obscured by conventionally schlocky costumes and makeup, one would hope the cinematography would compensate for it. Alas, this is not the case either - most of the camera work is truly hokey. The singers do a good job (they are identified only at the end); kudos must go to the wonderful Semper orchestra and conductor. This is a video that should interest only the serious student of Russian opera. And, unfortunately, if you don't speak German, it will go over like a lead balloon.
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