I love this opera and read the reviews of this production with interest...it's a shame when these directors get hold of something and can't see the concept through. Like you say, some illuminating points alongside rather crude touches. I saw one from Glyndebourne some years ago with John Tomlinson, another hopelessly mis-thought job !
I prefer semi-stagings these days for that reason, like the recent Rattle Pelleas with his missus and Christian Gerhaher, which worked quite well. It's a perfect Gramophone opera in many ways (like Bartok's Bluebeard) as much of it is psychological, but I really do enjoy watching the DVD of the Boulez / Peter Stein WNO production from the 80s. To me, this is the most successful realisation I've seen, with an excellent cast and superb conducting.
I prefer semi-stagings these days for that reason, like the recent Rattle Pelleas with his missus and Christian Gerhaher, which worked quite well. It's a perfect Gramophone opera in many ways (like Bartok's Bluebeard) as much of it is psychological, but I really do enjoy watching the DVD of the Boulez / Peter Stein WNO production from the 80s. To me, this is the most successful realisation I've seen, with an excellent cast and superb conducting.
