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Category:    Home > Reviews > Concert > Opera > Die Zauberflote (aka The Magic Flute/Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart) – Opus Arte Blu-ray

Die Zauberflote (aka The Magic Flute/Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart) – Opus Arte Blu-ray

 

Picture: B     Sound: B+     Extras: C+     Opera: B

 

 

To catch up on their terrific series of Classical/Opera released they have already issued in the HD-DVD format. Opus Arte has reissued an elaborate version of Die Zauberflote (aka The Magic Flute) on Blu-ray with the same extras.  You can read about it at the link for the original edition:

 

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/6600/Die+Fledermaus+(Johann+Strauss+II

 

 

It was not that long ago I watched this and for as good as it was, it holds up, though I was not stunned either.  This never was my favorite tale.  Now, for the one big difference besides the high definition formats.

 

The HD-DVD offered Dolby TrueHD 5.1 and 2.0, but this Blu-ray offers its equivalent in PCM 5.1 and 2.0 mixes.  The differences are minimal, much like that of the two hi-def format versions of Martin Scorsese’s The Departed (reviewed on HD-DVD elsewhere on this site) with the exact difference in encoding options per format.  Sometimes, the TrueHD can sound better, other times not, but the Blu-ray often settled for PCM tracks over the new DTS MA or Dolby TrueHD options because HDMI can do PCM 5.1 and they do not involve royalties.  Also, Dolby had more to gain in royalties if HD-DVD had won the war, so the Blu-ray camp avoided it where they could.

 

The advantage of Dolby or DTS is that they are backwards compatible for tradedown with the older systems that can take S/PDIF digital cords meant for the classic version of DTS and Dolby Digital.  For those with older systems, that is a nice temporary bonus, though it is arguable that those most likely to buy a title like this are more likely to have higher-end equipment.  Either way, the audio is fine and dead even with its counterpart.

 

For more Opus Arte Classical/Opera releases, try this link:

 

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/6853/Cecilia+&+Bryn+At+Glyndebourne

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo


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