DVD + Blu-Ray:
Zemlinsky: Der Zwerg / Deutsche Oper Berlin

Alexander von Zemlinsky’s powerful opera Der Zwerg (“The Dwarf”) in a stunning production by Tobias Kratzer staged at the Deutsche Oper Berlin.

THE DWARF
Opera in one act, Op. 17 (1921)

Based on Oscar Wilde’s story The Birthday of the Infanta, Zemlinsky’s single-act opera Der Zwerg is the tragic tale of a dwarf who is presented at court, falls in love with the beautiful Donna Clara, but is ultimately forced to see himself as others see him and to die of a broken heart. Preceded by Schoenberg’s Accompaniment to a Cinematographic Scene, Op. 34 (1930), Zemlinsky’s Romantic score is full of psychological intrigue. Is Der Zwerg a critique of society’s superficiality? Is it the composer’s self-portrait in his doomed affair with Alma Schindler? Director Tobias Kratzer’s stunning, transparent production creates a space in which each character is thrown into sharp relief in this “fine, noble and melancholy work”. (Bachtrack.com)

Donna Clara ELENA TSALLAGOVA Soprano
Ghita EMILY MAGEE Soprano
Der Zwerg DAVID BUTT PHILIP Tenor
Der Zwerg MICK MORRIS MEHNERT Actor
Don Estoban PHILIPP JEKAL Baritone

CHORUS AND ORCHESTRA OF THE DEUTSCHE OPER BERLIN
Conductor DONALD RUNNICLES
Stage Director TOBIAS KRATZER

Video Director GÖTZ FILENIUS
Filmed on 27 and 30 March 2019 at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Germany

A Naxos production in co-operation with the Deutsche Oper Berlin

[2.110657 / NBD0108V]
Total playing time: 95 minutes · Language: German · Subtitles: German, English, French, Japanese, Korean
DVD: NTSC 16:9 · PCM stereo and DTS 5.1 · DVD 9 · Region: 0
BD: HD 16:9 · PCM stereo and DTS-MA 5.1 · BD 50 · Region: A, B, C