Brokeback Mountain

Originally a highly regarded short story by Annie Proulx that was later made into an award-winning film from director Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain—centering on two ranch hands who have a passionate sexual encounter while working as sheepherders in an isolated Wyoming valley and then find it impossible to remain apart even though each gets married—has now been set to music by Charles Wuorinen, with a libretto penned by Proulx. As presented in this world-premiere 2014 staging from Madrid's Teatro Real, the narrative retains its power and poignancy in its new operatic guise, despite the fact that Wuorinen's modernist, unsentimental score, while intricate and inventive, doesn't deepen or universalize the material (the music evokes foreboding but never suggests genuine romantic longing even in its more lyrical passages, leaving that to the words). Proulx, meanwhile, has added supporting characters and expanded the contributions of some (such as the wives) who were previously peripheral—a miscalculation that actually weakens the focus. In addition, the greater articulateness of the lovers—necessary in an opera—makes them somehow more conventional. Still, Ivo van Hove's staging is impressive with its stark simplicity, the house orchestra plays with precision under the baton of Titus Engel, and bass-baritone Daniel Okulitch and tenor Tom Randle could hardly be better as cowboys Ennis and Jack. Although not nearly as moving as the feature film, Brokeback Mountain still mostly succeeds dramatically here—almost despite Wuorinen's music. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 and PCM stereo on Blu-ray, extras include interviews with the creators and singers. Recommended. (F. Swietek)