When I saw Erkki-Sven Tüür’s opera
Wallenberg at
the Estonian National Opera in the beginning of June 2009 I felt
it was one of the strongest experiences that I have had in any
opera house ever. I bought the DVD at the same time and my intention
was to review it at once. On second thoughts I decided, however,
to let it rest for a while. I simply wanted to see if my strong
reactions at the live performance had waned when I returned to
the opera, which I did almost exactly two months later. It turned
out that the experience was, if possible, even stronger the second
time around.
The DVD was recorded 18 months earlier with an almost identical
cast. The most important differences were that Rauno Elp had
taken over the title role and that Risto Joost was the conductor.
In order not to repeat myself too much I refer readers to my
live
review for
background information as well as my opinions of the work and
the performance. With practically the same singers their interpretations
don’t differ markedly, not more than is natural between
performances even closer in time. Priit Volmer’s Eichmann
is as formidable as he was two months ago and so are the three
diplomats. Especially interesting it was to see and hear Jesper
Taube as Wallenberg. He made the role his own during the first
two seasons and he may be closer to the basic concept of the
role. His is a lighter, more lyrical voice and his slightly more
recessed approach is probably more in line with Wallenberg’s
ambivalence to his mission. Rauno Elp made him tougher.
The greatest difference between experiencing an opera in the
theatre and on DVD is no doubt the visual aspects. In the theatre
I get
the overall view and can choose what to concentrate on. Watching
the DVD all the choices have already been done by the video director.
The great advantage with that is that the director knows exactly
what will happen and can highlight key situations. In the theatre
I may miss important information. The many close-ups also heighten
the feeling of presence. I can see the facial expressions in
a way that I can’t do in the theatre, not even with binoculars.
In this production the director also takes down to the orchestra
and the conductor, invisible for the audience on location. The
Russian officers in the second act more or less step into my
living room and the close-ups on Wallenberg make him more alive
than in the theatre. On the other hand the spectacular mass scene ‘Wallenberg
Circus’ loses something of its impact and Mickey Mouse
and Minnie just get lost. In other words: there are swings and
roundabouts.
What is never in doubt is the intensity of the drama and the
music, and also the committed acting, singing and playing of
the whole ensemble. The recorded sound cannot be faulted and
even though I have seen more imaginative filming this DVD emerges
as a very valuable documentation of one of the most important
contemporary operas. We should never forget the horrors of the
war, nor should we forget that there were brave people who fought
for humanity. Raoul Wallenberg was one such person and this opera
- which is far from myopic or uncritical - should be seen, live
or on DVD, by as many people as possible.
Göran Forsling
Wallenberg - Jesper
Taube; Eichmann - Priit Volmer; Wallenberg 2 - Matti Turi; German
Officer - Jassi Zahharov; Ronald Reagan - Väino Puura; The First
Survivor - Teele Jōks; The Second Survivor - Andres Köster; The Third
Survivor - Mart Laur; The First Guest/Jacob Wallenberg - Mart Madiste; The Second
Guest/American General - René Soom; The Third Guest/American Soldier -
Aare Saal; The First Diplomat - Helen Lokuta; The Second Diplomat - Annaliisa
Pillak; The Third Diplomat - Juuli Lill;Dame - Riina Airenne; Woman - Aile Asszonyi;The
First Russian Officer - Urmas Pōldma; The Second Russian Officer - Vladislav
Horuženko;The Three Gulag Prisoners - Villu Valdmaa, Alar Haak, Aare Kodasma;
Wallenberg 3 - Vahur Agar 
[1:58:05] 
