Like Beethoven, Robert Schumann composed only one opera, likewise centering on a wife's faithfulness. But unlike Fidelio, which remains a repertory staple, Genoveva fell into obscurity after a poorly-received 1850 debut. But it has found a modern champion in Nikolaus Harnoncourt, who conducts this 2008 production from the adventurous Zurich Opera. When Genevieve's (Juliane Banse) husband Siegfried (Martin Gantner) goes off to fight the Saracens, he leaves his wife in the care of trusted knight Golo (Shawn Mathey), who secretly lusts after her. Egged on by a sorceress after his advances are rebuffed, Golo accuses Genevieve of infidelity—a charge that Siegfried initially believes to be true, although Genevieve's innocence is ultimately proven. Boasting superb orchestral playing and strikingly fine vocalism, this production features an abundance of beautiful music that deserves to be better known. But the highly stylized staging turns it into a sort of horror show: played entirely within a bright white cubicle (containing only a chair, a doorway, and a washbasin) that over four acts becomes splattered with blood and graffiti, this Genoveva suffers from one of those modernistic directorial approaches that sometimes descends into complete unintelligibility (why the chorus, dressed in surgical smocks, masks, and eye patches, should pelt the nude heroine with dead fish in Act III is beyond my comprehension). Still, Genoveva is a rarity even on CD, so this musically splendid, if visually bizarre, presentation (with DTS 5.1 and PCM stereo options) is recommended, overall. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
Genoveva
(2008) 146 min. DVD: $32.98. In German w/English subtitles. Arthaus Musik (dist. by Naxos of America). ISBN: 978-3-939873-70-9. Volume 24, Issue 2
Genoveva
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