An opera with a magnificent libretto (cannot get better than this), and with Penderecki's music which is not something you'd listen to on your iPod, but it fits impeccably the underlying dramatic action.
Penderecki obviously knew how to enhance every emotion not just by using the text but by using the sounds of human voices. Melodic or atonal, everything is permitted to make a thrilling moment chilling, to define the creepy atmosphere when necessary, or to make a mockery of the evident cases of hypocrisy.
It is a slightly "televised' [TV-adapted] version of the production that was staged in Hamburg at the time of this opera's creation (early 70's), which is the only reason I cannot go on with unreserved praise about this DVD.
If you like theater, and take pleasure in listening to the contemporary operas, you're gonna love this one. Let's hope one of so many European theaters decides to stage this excellent work.
