Heinz Zednik Movies

Experience the magic of one of Richard Wagner's most revered works as The Metropolitan Opera's lavish production of Das Rheingold is captured live on-stage for release on home video. Featuring a cast of opera superstars including James Morris, Alan Held, and Mark Barker, this unforgettable production is one of the most memorable versions of Das Rheingold ever committed to film. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Based upon Georg Büchner's 1837 play, Alban Berg's Wozzeck details the harsh existence of the title character, a former soldier in the German army who has to struggle mightily to make a living, even as others around him prosper. Wozzeck (Franz Grundheber) is living with Marie (Hildegard Behrens), a former prostitute and the mother of his young son. Somewhat simple in the head, Wozzeck's mental state seems to be increasingly unsettled, and he begins to see visions. Marie worries about him but does not know what she can do. Meanwhile, Wozzeck has agreed to be part of a dietary experiment by a doctor (Aage Haugland), who seems pleased with his patient's increasing instability. While Wozzeck is out, Marie allows herself to be seduced by a flirtatious drum major (Walter Raffeiner). Wozzeck suspects that something has occurred, a suspicion that is inflamed when the doctor and a captain for whom Wozzeck works taunt him with hints about Marie's faithlessness. His visions growing wilder, Wozzeck stabs and kills Marie, then drowns himself, leaving his son alone in the cruel world. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi

Otto Schenk directs this production of Bedrich Smetana's opera Die Verkaufte Braut (The Bartered Bride), mounted by the Wiener Staatsoper. Lucia Popp, Siegfried Jerusalem, Karl Ridderbusch and Heinz Zednik co-star; The Chorus and Orchestra of the Wiener Staatsoper provide musical accompaniment. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

A live performance of composer Giuseppe Verdi's Il Trovatore is presented in this release from ORF. Recorded at Germany's Wiener Staatsoper in 1978, the production stars Piero Cappuccilli as Il Conte di Luna and Raina Kabalvanska as Laina and features music by the Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper under Herbert von Karajan. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

The first segment of the "Ring" cycle, Das Rheingold is concerned with a precious treasure -- the rhinegold -- which, if made into a ring, would enable the wearer dominion over the world. Power comes with a price, however; whoever would steal the gold would have to renounce love. Alberich the dwarf, rebuffed by the Rhinemaidens who guard the gold, fiercely makes this renunciation, escapes with the gold and makes just such a ring. This theft is made known to the gods Wotan, Fricka and Freia, who are in the midst of a dispute with the giants Fafner and Fasolt. Trickster god Loge suggests that he and Wotan steal the treasure back from Alberich. The dwarf's servant, Mime has fashioned a magical helmet that changes the size or shape of its wearer and makes him visible. Alberich seizes this helmet, and Loge tricks him into becoming a toad, after which he and Wotan capture him. The gods demand that he pay them a ransom of all his gold, forcing Alberich to give them the ring as well. Before he leaves, Alberich places a curse on the ring. The gods now use the riches wrested from the dwarf to pay the giants -- including the ring. The curse causes the giants to fight among themselves, and Fafner kills Fasolt. Wotan then leads the gods to their new home, Valhalla, except for Loge, who refuses to accompany them. As the opera ends, the Rhinemaidens are heard again, mourning for the loss of the rhinegold. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi