Lear

Shakespeare's tragedy serves as the basis for Aribert Reimann's third opera, which premiered in 1978 to a mixed reception but has since been performed worldwide to considerable acclaim. The musical idiom is extremely bombastic and astringent in the first act, becoming more moving (but no less highly charged) in the second as Lear's powers deteriorate, and the vocals are more declamatory than sonorous. But the piece reflects the play's power and pathos, even though Claus H. Henneberg's libretto necessarily condenses the action. Karoline Gruber's 2014 production for the Staatsoper Hamburg presents Lear in modern dress against a relatively sparse set consisting of chairs, bleacher-like steps, boxes, and miniaturized structures. The company orchestra plays with fervor for conductor Simone Young, while the cast handles the difficult music with obvious commitment. Bo Skovhus naturally dominates as the increasingly mad monarch, a sturdy, middle-aged, misguided man instead of the aged, infirm king usually portrayed onstage. The other singers—including Katja Pieweck as Goneril, Hellen Kwon as Regan, and Siobhan Stagg as Cordelia—complement Skovhus's virtuoso performance with equally strong turns. While not for everyone, devotees of late-20th-century opera will likely be drawn to this. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 and PCM stereo on Blu-ray, extras include a “making-of” featurette. Recommended. (F. Swietek)