WALTER BRAUNFELS (1882-1954): Die Vögel, Op. 30.

Description: Based on Aristophanes' "The Birds" this 1920 "lyrical-fantastical" opera was premiered by Bruno Walter (who years later remember it as "noble and lovely"). The music is rich, melodic and quite conservative for the time, never going much beyond Wagner (and pre-Tristan Wagner at that) and Richard Strauss but doing it beautifully. Colorful, "Grecian" tunics for the birds, modern dress for the other characters and a vaguely Egyptian-looking set (which needed to be designed about the high rake of the LA Opera's contiguous Ring cycle designs) are easy on the eyes. Désirée Rancatore (soprano), Brandon Jovanovich (tenor), James Johnson (bass-baritone), Martin Gantner (baritone), Los Angeles Opera Chorus and Orchestra; James Conlon. 16:9 widescreen. NTSC region 0. DTS 5.1 or Dolby Digital 5.1 or PCM Stereo. 139 min.