Posted 2007-08-05 20:52:48: Amazon.com Editoral Review: This 1998 Salzburg Festival production of The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny does a difficult work proud, as Peter Zadek's staging makes the case for Kurt Weill's (and librettist-lyricist Bertolt Brecht's) epic dissection of consumerism and avarice as one of the most gripping 20th century operas. Soprano Catherine Malfitano, always a riveting singing actress, adds another memorable portrayal with her skillful portrait of Jenny, the whore with the heart of gold. Tenor Jerry Hadley embodies the role of our hero, Jimmy, admirably, and in a strong supporting cast, Gwyneth Jones and Roy Cornelius Smith are particularly outstanding. Conductor Dennis Russell Davies leads the Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna to new musical heights, while the designers and technicians make this a visually accomplished Mahagonny. Warning: there's ample female nudity in the brothel scene (though entirely in keeping with Weill and Brecht's conception). --Kevin Filipski
