The San Francisco Examiner from San Francisco, California • 23

I ft 1 SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER Monday, November 13, 1989 B-5 Mutilated in Munich if ifirot'- 3 Tchaikovsky opera suffers from a political staging By Timothy Pfaff SPECIAL TO THE EXAMINER 4 i-rTf! If hi if 1 WrlMti isNfi Mil. ku Ltm siM4 jXh --mw if 1 ft' Harry Kupfer's modern staging of Tchaikovsky's "The Maid of Orleans" entailed extensive cuts in the score. a whiff of the organ prelude to the Coronation scene, and big chunks of the finale including, tellingly, Joan's confession that she is afraid. TCHAIKOVSKY'S lurchingly episodic drama (the libretto, after Schiller, is also his) may warrant editing, but cuts this deep and there are more represent distortion, in some cases mutilation, of the opera. The production now runs 2V4 hours and runs is the word.

The swift-moving drama that survives a rousing saga of freedom fighting and an unflinching examination of the consequences of political idealism is compelling enough on its own terms. But its message is merely more insistent, not necessarily clearer, than the composer's. It's clear in Tchaikovsky that Joan sees her surrender to romantic love as her tragic flaw and, finally, her undoing. But Kupfer's redaction sits particularly heavily on the love music for Joan and Lionel, the handsome Burgundian knight who distracts her from her mission. In their first encounter, on the battlefield one of the opera's masterful episodes the two verbally resist their mutual attraction while the music makes it plain that they are hopelessly in love.

The Munich staging slights the moment in its rush toward a wartime quickie, an impetus tumble on the turf, with Joan ending up on top, of course. THEIR FINAL duet, "0, wun-derbarer Traum wondrous quickly degenerates into a nightmare. They are apprehended and forcibly separated mid-duet (instead of in its final bars). While the music speaks of rapture, the staging speaks of rape. Joan, caught, is handcuffed, her hair shorn and her dress torn off while Lionel, at the opposite side of the stage, begins his death throes.

The music that better conforms to Kupfer's vision of the world elicits more apt staging. The conflict and confrontation scenes are strong, and the effete debauchery of the ruling class (Charles and Agnes) provides a memorable grotesque. There are even touches of deliberate humor. Charles' faithful ally, Dunois after Joan, the character Kupfer most endorses backs his weak monarch by literally standing "behind" him, physically manipulating the Dauphin's body into heroic postures. Hans Schavernoch, Kupfer's regular collaborator, supplies an imposing unit set.

Images projected on the stage walls, and on a huge, movable slab suspended over it, both set the scenes and comment on them. Architectural renderings of the Rheims cathedral and details from medieval tapestries jostle dialectic-ally with grim photos of the horrors of 20th-century warfare. DEPENDING ON the lighting, the largest of the surfaces functions either as a mirror, reflecting both the projections and the events on stage, or as a scrim, behind which the public events the battles and court dances, the coronation and the martyrdom are enacted by mimed doubles of the singers. The effect is simulta-neously alienating and compelling. Wolfgang Frauendienst's deft lighting and Reinhard Heinrich's fine costumes are the most coherent visual elements in this bold but unsettled as well as unsettling production.

Cumulatively, the busy, outsized stage pictures reduce Tchaikovsky's luxurious tapestry to poster art. An omnipresent Joan overlooks the action from an ugly raised metal platform, which lowers like a freight elevator to deposit her on stage for her scenes. All too predictably, in the final moments while her double is burning behind the scrim the singing Joan (Wal-traud Meier) dons a trenchcoat and leaves the stage for a shaft of light in front of the proscenium. Instant symbol but of what, exactly, and whether timeless or timely, is hard to tell. MEIER'S FEBRILE, unflag-gingly concentrated performance as Joan almost compensates for the blurriness of the symbol.

Her singing is eminently musical but not ideally secure. Tchaikovsky was less than thorough in rescoring the part for a mezzo, and its heights elicit some choked, squally sounds from her. John Brocheler, an insightful, believable Dunois, heads the male cast. Hans Franzen (Thibaut), Jan Vacik (Raimond), Alejandro Ramirez (Charles), and Theo Adam (Cardinal) are adequate if unmem-orable. Wolfgang Rauch is a passionate but vocally unappealing Lionel.

Gerd Albrecht blazes through his streamlined score with a high sense of purpose but little apparent interest in the subtler beauties of the lush score. Udo Mehrpohl's chorus is consistently splendid and stirring. The cheers were louder than the boos on opening night. Performances continue through Dec. 6.

UNICH-When first an- nounced, Tchaikovsky's 'The Maid of Orleans" seemed an odd, unlikely vehicle for director Harry Kupfer's first production for the Bavarian State Opera. After the premiere at the National Theater here on Saturday, it seemed any more appropriate. Billed as the opera's Munich premiere, "Die Jungfrau von Orleans" is more Kupfer's opera than Tchaikovsky's. The East German director attained international prominence with his 1978 production of "The Flying Dutchman" for Bayreuth, rapidly became one of the most famous and controversial directors in Europe and returned to Bayreuth last year to stage the "Ring." He is known for the leftist political slant of his productions. Joan of Arc, as visionary revolutionary, clearly fascinates him but hardly in Tchaikovsky's sprawling, sometimes sentimental portrait.

ONE EXPECTED Kupfer to cauterize the more delicate sentiments that are part of the life-blood of this 1881 opera, which immediately follows "Eugene One-gin." But Kupfer has gone farther. In paring the fat from the work, presumably to show its muscle, he has reduced Tchaikovsky's intimate drama to a political statement and a not particularly cogent htatement at that. For Munich, conductor Gerd Al-brecht has devised an "arrangement" of the music and text (in German, in collaboration with Krista Thiele) which, Kupfer 'claims, "corrects" Tchaikovsky's "fatal errors." The stated goal was nothing less than a transformation of the work from a "numbers" opera to one that approaches the "through-composed" works of Wagner. Rather than face the challenge of making the softer music meaningful or even theatrically effective, Kupfer and Albrecht have solved the score's problems by summarily dismissing these passages. There are major, highly selective cuts.

The most conspicuous include the opening pastoral chorus, most of the second-act dance music (as good as any in the famous ballets), the Agnes-Charles VII duet, all but No copyright UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL LOS ANGELES A federal judge has ruled the Oscar statuette is not protected under copyright laws, dealing a blow to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in its attempts to stop a trophy company from producing Oscar look-alikes. U.S. District Judge Laughlin E. Waters said the academy, which filed its copyright infringement suit against Creative House Promotions of Chicago, had failed to protect its rights to the statuette's likeness between 1929, the first year of the annual awards, and 1941, when the statuette was first copyrighted. During that period, the academy failed to imprint a copyright on the 158 trophies awarded, or to impose restrictions on the use or resale of the statuettes, Waters THE BEAR! NOW PLAYING UnionlWabaKr.

(31-165 Barg. 1st hour Mon-Fri. exc. Hols. UNITED ARTISTS Thk MOVIKS Col ma 'I4 10ri DOLBY 00,5:05,7:30.

Barg. mat Mon-Fri. 1st 2 shows. Empire cinkma 65 WmI Portal 661-3S39 ihows starting baton protection for Oscar mmm CANNERY Leavenworth (, Beach 441-J560 NEXT OF KIN 1 30. 5 45.

9 50 Ends Thursday WHEN HARRY MET SALLY 3 45. 8 00 Barg Mat Mon-Fri Til 4p m. Sat Sun Hoi Til 2 pm CASTRO Caslro-MarKet. 621-6120 OPENING NOVEMBER 17th-Winner of 4 Academy Awards Including Best Picture 35mm Print ALBERT FINNEY is TOM JONES Now Playing Aihambra FOR ALL MANKIND thru Nov. 16 CLAY Fillmore near Clay 346-1123 Daily Bargain Matinee at 100 FINAL 4 DAYS' -Peter Travers, ROLLING STONE THE LITTLE THIEF 1 00.

3 05, 5 10. 7 20, 9.20 Starts 1117: APARTMENT ZERO 4 STAR Clement 23rd 752-2650 "ERIK THE VIKING (PG13) 6 00. 10 10 THE AOVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN (PG) 8 00 SlartsNov 17 SIDEWALK STORIES BARG MATS FRI. SAT. SUN WED 1ST HOUR ONLY GATEWAY 215 Jackson at Battery 421-3353 TRUST ME (R) 7 30, 9 30 BARG MATS FRI, SAT.

SUN 1 WED 1ST HOUR ONLY LUMIERE 3 California at Polk. 885-3200 DRUGSTORE COWBOY 1 50, 3 50. 5 50, 7 50, 9 50 A CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL 1 35. 3 40. 5 40.

7 45. 9 45 DEAD POET'S SOCIETY 1:10, 3:30. 5:45. 8:00. 10:15 Starts 1122: AN UNREMARKABLE LIFE NO INFANTS, PLEASE' Bargain Matinee Until 2:05 pm.

Reduced Parking Holiday Inn Van Ness OPERA PLAZA CINEMAS Van NeiS Avenue at Golden Gate SHIRLEY VALENTINE (R) 7:15, 9:30 THE DYBBUK INR) 7 00. 9 30 A DRY WHITE SEASON (R) 7 05. 9:20 QUEEN OF HEARTS (NR) 7:30, 9:45 BARG MATS SAT, SUN 1ST HOUR ONLY THE RED VIC 1659 Haight 663-3994 Kathenne Hepburn THE PHILADELPHIA STORY 215. 715, 925 ROXIE 3117-l6th St. at Valencia.

863-1087 US THEATRICAL PREMIERE (Last 2 Days) "it is an adult film about love and art. and about love of art It is an inspiring achievement Ann Block gives a virtuoso performance -Michael Fox. SF. WEEKLY Jerry Barrlsh SHUTTLECOCK 6. 8, 10 Nov 15 CARNIVAL OF SOULS UNITED ARTISTS VOGUE Sacramento-Presidio 221-8183 CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS (PG13) 1 00.

3 15, 5 30. 7 45. 10:00 BARGAIN 1ST 2 SHOWS MONFRI EXPT. HOLS The YORK GABRIEL GARCIA MARQUEZ ON FILM THRU 1116 1 MIRACLE IN ROME 7 15 SUMMER OF MISS FORBES 9 15 Separate Admission each screening GENEVA 4 Nexl to Cow Palace 587-2884 BEST OF THE BEST (PG13) LEAN ON ME (PG13I STAYING TOGETHER (R) GHOSTBUSTERS II (PG) SHOCKER (R) THE SERPENT AND THE RAINBOW (R) THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (R) FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VIII R) BIJOU 1046 Market at 6th 864-1066 1ST RUN! AJA Explodes with Sexuality in SNATCHEOMANEATERS CAUGHT FROM BEHIND 10 ELECTRIC 980 Market Street 673-2207 1ST RUN1 Brandy Alexander Trinity Loren in LAWYERS IN HEATCRAVINGS GHOSTESS WITH THE MOSTESS New CAMPUS All-Male Theater 220 Jones Street 673-3384 live ERICH LANGE LIVE-ARENA SHOW Today ot 12:30 p.m. 8 NUDE SHOWS 12 30:35.3078910 p.m.

FriSat. 1 am Plus 3 1st Run Films Open Sun-Thu. llam-2am; Til 4am FnSat NOB HILL MALE Bushpoweii 7si-94es HE-MAN NAKED MEATPACKERS! ON STAGE 12 30 1 Cm I 5 Stalwarts HAMMOND. STRYKER. BROCK S.

more Cm II 100 Authentic MARINES ASIAN GEISHAMEN Cm III ED DINAKOS. Muscle Sex Machine KINK TEAROOM MALE HSEdOysnawsm LIVE SHOWS FIRST RUN FILMS! 1 CARLOS' OIARYYMAC CONCRETE LOVERSWARLOROS Titles and showtime subiect to change Please call theaters. Listed showtimes tor today only! Unless Otherwise Indicated. ST. FRANCIS I II Market bet Mth 362-422 SHOCKER 12 00, 4 00.

8 00 OLD GRINGO 1 55, 5 55, 9 55 BATMAN 12 10. 410.810 KILL ME AGAIN 2 25. 6:25, 10 20 STRAND Market bet. 8th 7th, 621-2227 Doors Open 10 45 a MILLENNIUM (11:002:50) CAGE (1:054 55) THE MAGIC FLUTE (One time only at 7:00) LA TRAVIATA (One time only at 9 40) ALHAMBRA PoiKumon 7752137 FOR ALL MANKIND 2 00. 4 00, 6 00, 8 00.

10 00 Barg Mat 2 00 Shows 'Avail Seatmii Only Friday. 11,17. Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID AMC KABUKI 8 THEATRES Post at Fillmore in Japan town TODAY'S TIMES ONLY LOOK WHO'S TALKING pgi3) 11:35, 2:15. 4:50, 7 25. 10:00 THX Sound HAWKS (R) Dolby 11:25, 2:00.

5:00, 7:45, 10:10 COMMUNION (R) Dolby 12:00, 2:30. 5:10, 7:55, 10.25 SPICES (NR) 11.50. 2:05, 5:15, 7:40. 9:55 DAD (PG) Dolby 11:15. 1:50.

4:30. 7:15, 10:15 Special Engagement No Passes SEA OF LOVE (R)Doiby 12:05. 2 35, 5:25, 8:00. 10:35 sex, lies and videotape inr) Doiby 12:15, 2:45, 5:35, 8:10, 10:40 THE BIG PICTURE (pg 13) Doiby 11:45, 2:20, 4:40, 7:30, 9:45 Wednesday, November 22 BACK TO THE FUTURE II FREE PARKING ANYTIME SAT. MON-FRI.

AFTER 5 3 hours free validated parking with paid admission Japan Center Garages. AMC SERR AMONTE 6 es Located east of Highway 280 on Junipero Serra Blvd. LOW DISCOUNT PRICE TODAY'S TIMES ONLY BATMAN (PG13) 5 50. 8 30 JOHNNY HANDSOME (R) 8:00 HALLOWEEN VR) 5:25, 7:50 1 PARENTHOOD (PG13) 5:40, 8:20 UNCLE BUCK IPG) 610, 810 WHEN HARRY MET SALLY (R) 5:30, 7 40 BALBOA 38th Balboa 221-8184 BARGAIN MATINEE TIL 5 TODAY! JANE FONDAGREGORY PECK in COLD GRINGO 1245. 4 45.

8 45 Plus Bruce Willis S. Emily Lloyd in IN COUNTRY 2 45. 6 45. 10 40 SEA OF LOVE Al Pacino 1:00, 4:50, 8 40 THE PACKAGE Gene Hackman 2:55, 6:45, 10:30 CENTURY PLAZA 8 so ton Off El Cammo 2 blks No. of Tanforan Shop Ctr.

Call theatre for Barg. policy BEST OF THE BEST (PG13) 1:50, 3:50, 5:50, 7:50, 10 DAD (PG) 12:30. 3 00. 5:30, 8:00, 10:30 GROSS ANATOMY (PG13) 2 50, 7:20 THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS (R) 12:33, 5, 9:30 NEXT OF KIN (R) 4:00. 810 THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (R) 2, 6:10, 10 20 LOOK WHO'S TALKING (PG13) 12:00.

2:10, 5:20, 7:30. 9:50 BLACK RAIN (R) no passes or group discounts 12:10. 2:40. 5:10. 7:40, 10:10 AN INNOCENT MAN R) 12.

2:20. 4:40. 7:00. 9:20 SEA OF LOVE (R) 12:05, 2:30. 4:50, 7:10, 9:40 CINEMA 21 Chestnut-Steiner 921-6720 THX Sound Barg.

Shows starting before 5:45 p.m. IMMEDIATE FAMILY (PG13) 5:05, 7:35. 10:10 CINEPLEX ODEON CINEMA NORTHPOINT Powell-Bay, 989-6060 Al Pacino, Ellen Barkin in SEA OF LOVE (R) Dolby Stereo SatSun: 2 45, 5:00, 7:30, 9:45 Mon-Fri: 7:30, 9 45 coming Nov 22 BACK TO THE FUTURE II Dd'R widi 3dlaun winy niu. nun FREE PARKING Mon Sat After 6 pm; All Day SunHot vj Diuift muiui uii runen CINEPLEX ODEON CINEMAS PLAZA TWIN Daly City 756 3240 Serramonte Plaza at 311 Gellert Blvd Plenty of FREE Parking Bargain Mat SatSun 1st Show Only Inc Hols GLENN CLOSE 1 JAMES WOODS in IMMEDIATE FAMILY (PG13) THX Dolby Stereo Mon-Fn. 7 45, 10 00 SatSun 1:30.

3 45, 5.45. 7 45. 10 00 TERRY O'QUINN i. MEG FOSTER in STEPFATHER 2 R) THX Dolby Stereo Mon-Fri: 7 30, 9 30 SatSun: 1 30. 3 30.

5 30, 7 30. 9 30 Coming Dec. 15: WE'RE NO ANGELS EMPIRE 3 West Portal VCnte 661-2539 'Barg price shows starling before 5 45 SECONO SIGHT (PG) 6 00. 8 00 SHOCKER IR) 10 00 (only) THE BEAR IG) 515. 7 15.920 LOOK WHO'S TALKING (PG13) 5 30, 7 35, 9 40 NEW MISSIONMISSION'1STS712S, Barg Mais.

Mon-Sat 1st Hour (Exc Sun i Hols) NEXT OF KIN 2 30, 6 55 SEA OF LOVE 4 40. 9 05 PRESIDIO Chestnut near Scott 922-1318 Barg price shows starting belore 545 pm FRIENDS, LOVERS 8. LUNATICS (R) 1 00. 3 00, 5 00. 7.00.

9 00 REGENCY I 885-6773 Van Ness Sutter MICHAEL DOUGLAS in BLACK RAIN Presented SR Doiby Stereo 12 00, 30. 5 00. 7 50. 10 30 opens Nov. 17 HARLEM NIGHTS NO INFANTS.

PLEASE-LOW RATE PARKING HOLIDAY INN CATHEDRAL HILL HOTEL REGENCY II Sutter-Van Ness, 776-8054 Paul Newman in FAT MAN AND LITTLE BOY Presented in Dolby Stereo 8. Cinemascope 2:00, 4:45, 7:40, 10:20 Barg Mat. 1st Hr Daily on Avail Sealing No Infants. Please Low Rate Parking Holiday Inn Cathedral Hill Hotel UOYAL Polk nr. California 474-0353 ERIC ROBERTS in BEST OF THE BEST (PG13) 1:30, 3:30.

5:30. 7:30, 9:30 BARG MAT 1st HR DAILY. NO INFANTS. PLEASE Low Rate Pkg. Holiday Inn Van Ness UNITED ARTISTS ALEXANDRIA Geary 18th 752-5100 STEPFATHER IR) 1:30.

3 40. 5 50. 8 00, 10 00 PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (R) 1:00. 3:15. 5:30.

7:45. 10:00 GROSS ANATOMY (PG13) 315. 7 30 AN INNOCENT MAN (R) 1:05. 5:20. 9 35 Bargain 1st film Mon-Fn Exc.

Hols. UNITED ARTISTS COLISEUM Ciement-9th 221-8181 CLOSED FOR REMODELING UNITED ARTISTS COLMA UA the MOVIES coima 994-1055 280 Metro Center off Junipero Serra Bargain Matinees MonFn 1st 2 Shows Bargain Matinees SatSunHols. 1st Show ONLY. SECOND SIGHT (PG) STEREO SURROUND 2 00. 4 00, 6:00, 8:00.

10:00 SHOCKER (R) DOLBY STEREO 12:30. 2:50. 5:10, 7:45, 10:00 STAYING TOGETHER (R) DOLBY STEREO 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30. 9.30 COMMUNION (R) DOLBY STEREO 1 00, 3:15. 5:30.

8 00, 10:10 SEX, LIES, AND VIDEOTAPE (R) DOLBY STEREO 1:00, 3:15, 5:30. 7:45, 1000 THE BEAR (PG) DOLBY STEREO 12:55, 3:00, 5 05, 7:30, 9:35 UNITED ARTISTS CORONET Geary S. Arguello 752-4400 THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS (R) DOLBY STEREO 12:30, 3:00, 5:20, 8:00, 10:20 Bargain Mat 1st film MonFn. Exc. Hols.

UNITED ARTISTS GALAXY VAN NESSSUTTER 474-8700 SECOND SIGHT (PG) Weekdays: 6 10, 8 00. 10 00 SatSun: 1200, 2 00. 4 00. 6:10. 8 00.

10 00 JOHNNY HANDSOME (R) Dolby Stereo THX Weekdays: 6 30. 8.30. 10 30 Sun: 12 30. 2 30, 4 30. 6 30, 8 30, 10 30 THELONIOUS MONK: STRAIGHT NO CHASER (PG13) Weekdays: 615.

8 15. 10.15 SatSun: 1215, 2 15, 415, 6 15, 8 15, 10 15 STAYING TOGETHER (R) DOLBY STEREO THX Weekdays: 6 10, 810. 1010 SatSun: 12:10. 2 10, 4 10. 610.

8 10. 10 10 Reduced Validated Parking at 1355 Sutter UNITED ARTISTS METRO UNION-WEBSTER 931-1685 THE BEAR (PG) 1:30, 3:40. 5:50. 8:00, 10:10 Bargain 1st Hour Mon-Fn Exc Hoi UNITED ARTISTS STONESTOWN 19th Ave Winston Free Parking 221-8182 Bargain 1st 2 films Mon-Sat. Exc.

Sun Hols. THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS (R) 12 30. 2 45, 5 00, 7 30. 9 45 CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS (PG13) 1:00, 3:05. 5:05.

7:15. 9:30 BRIDGE 3010 GEARY NEflR MASONIC. 751-3212 STORY OF WOMEN (NR) 7 20. 9 40 BARG MATS FRI. SAT SUN 1ST HOUR ONLY ruled.

As a result, the judge said, the Oscar became and is considered to be "part of the public domain." Actor Karl Maiden, academy president, who won an Oscar for best supporting actor for his role in the 1952 movie, "A Streetcar Named Desire," said the organization will appeal the decision. "I always thought it was the greatest award I could receive from my fellow actors and here (the judge and trophy company) say it's not as good as it was," Maiden said. Creative House sells 11 -inch gold-colored metal statuettes of a standing naked man that bear a close resemblance to the Oscar, ex cept the figures hold a star instead of a sword. The company's statuettes sell for $29 to $38 each for use in employee motivation programs. The academy had battled with Creative House over the Oscar iVTIIOAY EDWARD NOW PLAYING- IaaKABUKI8 THEATRES PO? riUMOM HI MMNTMni Uf MM Daily: 1 1 25.

2:00, 5:00, 7:45, 10: 10PM JjrclusiveSanFrancisc 5KXXJRAS mroaWi.6) look-alikes since 1983, suing for copyright infringement in January 1988. The matter went to a non-jury trial before Waters last March. In his ruling, the judge also found that the Oscar is not likely to be confused with Creative House's figures. Academy attorney John Quinn said it was the academy's opinion that the Oscar had never been in the public domain and he would appeal the decision on that ground. "Assuming some work of art had gone into public domain, then it could not be recaptured and the copyright could not be resurrected," said Quinn.

"TWO THUMBS UP!" "GREAT FILMMAKING." -MIKE CLARK USA TODAY 19M ORION PiClljMSCWWAtiON lH'GHTStHSIRV((j PG13 DAILY AT 1 :00, 3:15, 5:30, 7:45 DAILY AT 1:00, 3:05, 5:05. 7:15 4 9:30 PM SuekHMihMn Way ALSO PLAYING AT THEATRES THROUGHOUT THE BAY AREA 1 1 KI I.