Editorial Review

Elisabeth Schwarzkopf had one of the great voices of the 20th century, notparticularly powerful but beautiful and superbly trained. She used it with ahigh level of intelligence and an exemplary sense of the value of the words shewas singing. That voice, its development and its strengths (many) and weaknesses (few) are the subject of this fine documentary, narrated by Schwarzkopf. It is nota complete biography, but the voice is well displayed in film clips from throughouther career, beginning with the Nazi years in Berlin where she sang Read more

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Reviews (3)

Most disappointing
The definitive voice of Lieder and Mozart Opera is much-maligned by this inadequate presentation of her life A wonderful overview of an extraordinary soprano
This DVD gives you a unique opportunity to see Mrs Elizabeth Schwarzkopf in some of her best live performances as an opera singer anda Lieder interpreter. I have always been curious about how she could look on scene, given that I am of her more fervent admirers. My veneration for Mrs Schwarzkopf began when I first heard her singing the role of Donna Elvira in the Giulini�sversion of Don Giovanni, andit grew bigger when I saw for the first time aphotograph of her andI learned that she was not only an excellent soprano but also an amazingly attractive woman. This rarecombination of talent and beauty was particularly unusual in the 1950's, and even today there are few exceptions, such as Ren�e Fleming and Angela Gheorghiu. A wonderful overview of an extraordinary soprano
This DVD gives you a unique opportunity to see Mrs Elizabeth Schwarzkopf in some of her best live performances as an opera singer and a Lieder interpreter. I have always been curious about how she could look on scene, given that I am of her more fervent admirers. My veneration for Mrs Schwarzkopf began when I first heard her singing the role of Donna Elvira in the Giulini's version of Don Giovanni, and it grew bigger when I saw for the first time a photograph of her and I learned that she was not only an excellent soprano but also an amazingly attractive woman. This rare combination of talent and beauty was particularly unusual in the 1950's, and even today there are few exceptions, such as Renee Fleming and Angela Gheorghiu.Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Vocals    3. Music Videos - Classical   

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Reviews (9)

Magn�fica 'Cenerentola'
Esta funci�n procedente de la �pera de Houston de una de las mejores �peras de Rossini es sin duda la mejor versi�n visual disponible hasta la fecha de esta obra.
Forget Disney
While this production looks (potentially) magical, there's no magic in the plot, just the singing.Get Disney's take out of your head and everything starts making sense.This is Bartoli's signature role (note the book "Cinderella & Company") and she enjoys her feisty take on the girl.An excellent light entertainment for anyone who enjoys opera or the musical theater.

Great singing with a little twitching thrown in
I love this video for the singing.As a matter of fact, I would recommend it over Bartoli's Decca cd recording because the best principal singers are the same, except in this video, you get Raul Giminez as the Prince, instead of William Matteuzzi on the cd, and although Giminez' voice is a bit lighter, it's a prettier voice, and his fioratura is much more smooth and lovely.La Cenerentola is Bartoli at her finest vocally - it suits her sound and vocal style perfectly, but the acting is another matter.Bartoli is just not funny to me, plus she does alot of odd twitching and jerking that are terribly annoying.
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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    3. Performing Arts - Opera   

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Reviews (1)

I Hear American Singing (Gershwin)
I am looking actually for a broadcast of several years ago of a performance of pieces from Porgy and Bess and Frederika Von Staude performed "How Long Has This Been Goin On".Can you help me with this? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Artists    3. Performing Arts    4. Performing Arts - Concerts   

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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    3. Opera/Operetta    4. Performing Arts    5. Performing Arts - Opera   

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Reviews (3)

Superb Realization of Tippett's Greatest Opera
Michael Tippett's second opera received its world premiere at the 1962 Coventry Cathedral Festival, just a few days apart from Benjamin Britten's 'War Requiem.' Both composers were committed pacifists, and both works are powerful and eloquent artistic expressions of their sincerely and deeply held convictions. 'King Priam' must be counted among Tippett's finest achievements in any genre, certainly the most thoroughly convincing of his 5 operas: the mythical setting spares us most of the verbal embarrassment of his 'contemporary' libretti, and the fact that the characters are acting out destinies that are in some sense pre-ordained (despite their periodic wrestling with the ethics of 'choice') means that Tippett does not have to face the challenge of portraying characters who grow and change - always his Achilles' heel (sorry) as a musical dramatist... Finally, this is one of the very few operas - Berlioz's 'Les Troyens' is another - that recreates the harsh world of Greek mythology in a completely convincing way.
Powerful Anti-War Opera
This is a well done 1985 "studio" video of the Kent Opera production of Sir Michael Tippett's magnificent opera. One of the 20th Century's best operas
Sir Michael Tippett, who died at age 93 in January 1998 is one of the 20th century's most important opera composers.Always responsible to his public and mindful of contemporary themes, King Priam marked a turning point inhis compositional style and is in so many respects his first 'mature'masterpiece.Following on the heels of his first neo-Romantic opera, 'TheMidsummer Marriage', King Priam adopts a sparse, angular, incisive, andpiquant style to explore various eternal human themes--chief among them,the nature and consequences of choice.Tippett recasts the Iliad, briningto light dramatic and poignant elements not immediately apparent in Homer'soriginal.Told from the Trojan (specifically King Priam's) perspective,Tippett puts a microscope to the heart, mind, and soul--few operas aresimultaneously so musically and dramatically inspiring...and the operasthat follow, "The Knot Garden", "The Ice Break", and"New Year" continue this tradition.The Kent opera production isnot as overwhelmingly faithful and satisfying as the more recent DavidAtherton/London Sinfonietta recording (which is a masterpiece of artistryin and of itself), but gives the listener an opportunity to own a stagedversion: to hear and SEE the action.Highly recommended to Tippett fans,opera collectors, and anyone willing to think and be moved.Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    3. Opera/Operetta    4. Performing Arts    5. Performing Arts - Opera   

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Reviews (4)

Beautiful
I loved it.I had this on LP many years ago, but the very realistic groans of Adriana dying of poison were too much for me, so I chucked the set.However, when I had those LPs, I was familiar with the life of Adriana (I am no longer), and I could not believe the librettist would take a life so complex and interesting and boil it down to a plot like this.It was an adequate plot, but not when drawn from the life of Adriana.(Yes, I know she was French, but I'm saying Adriana anyway.)The sets were rich and colorful.The acting and singing by everyone were wonderful.The first act baffled me with all the passing of letters back and forth, I could make no sense of it and expected to be helplessly lost.Then from act two on the plot became quite simple, no plot at all.This is not my kind of music, it seemed like continuous recitative with no distinct tunes.But it was beautiful.It is not Sutherland's usual fare, though there are plenty of high notes for her to hit, and yes, you keenly perceptive people you, she's too old for the part.So what.I loved and recommend it.It was a pleasure.Also, I identified with the old man who had a secret love for her, and his horrible pain.It was in fact all pain.But it was beautiful nonetheless.

Sad........
But this role was not for her. The performance is dreadful. Go for Olivero, Dessi or Tebaldi. This DVD is a shame!

Blah!
I can't believe Kultur would have the nerve to release this terrible performance on DVD.They need to call back every copy and burn them.Sutherland is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYY past her prime.She sounds heavy and mannered.High notes are forced and effortful.What more her acting is abominable (as always *sigh*).This performance is not something I would watch to remember Sutherland's talent by. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    3. Opera/Operetta    4. Performing Arts    5. Performing Arts - Opera   

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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Composers    3. Orchestral & Symphonic    4. Performing Arts    5. Performing Arts - Opera   

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Reviews (5)

A Little scary
Ballroom and Latin dance has come a long way.Even though many of the dancers on the DVD are still at the top ranks of the pro circuit, this is NOT a great showcase. This is nice to watch in order to compare to the styles and skill of today, but not the kind of video you will watch over and over.The only truly spectacular dancing is that of Marcus and Karen Hilton (standard only).They were then, and are now quite amazing.For those of us in Canada, Alain Doucet and Anik Jolicouer are on this tape, briefly, in the Standard final.

Still very good at this price
Old? Not quite. Several competitors in the competition are still among world's top ranked professionals. And how many dance better than Burns and Fairweather even today?

Highly Outdated
(speaking predominantly about the Latin, being I don't really watch Standard)Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballet    2. Classical    3. Music Video    4. Musicals (Theatrical)    5. Performance    6. Performing Arts - Ballet/Dance   

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Reviews (1)

Appealing to the motivated student
Dudley Moore and Sir Georg Solti's enthusiasm have infected my students and motivated them to learn more about orchestral music.Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Performing Arts - Concerts   

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Subjects:  1. Int'l & World Music    2. Music & Musicals    3. Pop    4. Raga    5. Special Interests    6. Indian Classical    7. Indian Diaspora    8. Instructional   

Editorial Review

Arrigo Boito's treatment of the Faust legend has never been as popular as Gounod's, but Boito was an imaginative composer and a great librettist (he wrote the words for Verdi'sRead more

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Reviews (13)

Wondrous
In voice, physique, and bearing, Ramey is simply the perfect Mefistofele. After him, it's the chorus that stars, and when Ramey and the chorus get together in the amazing Witches' Sabbath, with the devil in a tailcoat furiously conducting the revellers, it's unforgettable. This is simply a beautiful production, well worth owning even if some of Boito's music is not first-rate. I subtract a star for an unconvincing Faust and a mediocre image with an unacceptable level of motion blur.
FABULOUS OPERA, FABULOUS PERFORMANCE, FABULOUS RECORDING!
This is the best recording of an opera on DVD I've seen.Ramey is unmatched in this role, the costumes and scenery are fantastic, the performance spot-on, and the recording and filming beautifully done.Run, do not walk, to your keyboard and order this recording of this wonderful opera by Boito.

First source
I was in this production when I was 6 years old! And this was the opera that made me fall in love with opera.
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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    3. Opera/Operetta    4. Performing Arts    5. Performing Arts - Opera   

Editorial Review

Murray Lerner's Oscar-winning film Read more

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• Original recording reissued
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Reviews (13)

Cultural evolution
This excellent documentary reveals the evolution of Chinese performance of Western music between the seventies & ninties. Stern is regarded as one of the greatest vioninists but this DVD shows his great humanity, ability to communicate and sense of humour. The first segment shows Western music being played in a mechanical, inhibited way. The second segment twenty years later shows an amazing transformation that confirms that music is a universal language. Stern's interaction with the children is particularly moving. I can wholeheartedly recomend this DVD to all lovers of beautiful music. It is a powerful celebration of the human spirit.

A Heartwarming Experience
I saw this video on PBS years ago and the impressions have always stuck with me. The DVD adds material from 20 years later, as well. A musician should have this DVD and I also recommend the other Isaac Stern DVD that is a bio of his life.
The Connoisseur & The Indifferent Will Like It, East or West
Indeed, as he said, he used "music as his passport to go to China", and it's not a "concert tour", but a "how-do-you-do-trip". Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Movie   

Editorial Review

A brilliant production has been lavished on this relatively early and seldom-produced Verdi masterpiece. The story of various efforts (ultimately successful) to assassinate Attila the Hun after his conquest of Rome inspired Verdi to compose music of considerable energy. The theme of foreign powers who dominate Italy being punished was especially close to his heart. La Scala assembled a cast equal to his music's strenuous demands. The star, unquestionably, is Samuel Ramey in the title role, but he is supported by a first-class cast and a chorus and orchestra who are completely at home in this music. The fact that some of the less familiar Italian operas reached the DVD format so early in its existence is a tribute to Muti's devotion to unjustly neglected works. So is the power and precision of this performance. Read more

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Reviews (14)

Can't believe it's not listed amoung Verdi's classics...
Loved it from the moment Odabella (played masterfully by Cheryl Struder) jumped into Attila's face, and took his sword.She sings a song about killing him for vengeance, while he falls in love with this fiesty slave. Well sung and played by all four of the principles.It remains one of my favorites, out of about 90 operas I have seen.If you love Verdi, as I do, you won't regret buying this one.

Must have for Verdi fans...Probably coming up again??
Most of the production is said here. I just can say that this is probably the best opera of those "minor operas" verdi wrote. Picture is very good, considering the quality resolution at that time. The stereo sound is worth it. There's no choice to change or switch off subtitles.
Why is this DVD out of print?
The Christianity was a bit much.I wanted to throw up.There was simply no plot at all.And this opera more than any I have ever seen exemplifies the stereotypical idea of opera with characters standing rooted to the spot just singing.That said, this was a marvelous experience.Rich, beautiful, powerful music.Ramey was nothing less than great.(And that wonderful open embracing smile during his curtain call!)Studer was the jewel of Attila.Everyone else was okay.I spent an afternoon searching every record store and website I knew of to find a copy of this glorious opera.There is simply none to be had except the $145 disc here on Amazon.No.(I noticed an "Et tu, Brute?" at the end (spelling of Brute?), Verdi (or his librettist) did love Shakespeare.)I loved and ejoyed the hell out of this opera, with the reservations given, fortunately I have the same cast, conductor and orchestra on CD, so I am not completely disappointed.But I would really like to have this DVD (I rented the one I just watched).The sets and scene changes were lush and delicious, the colors were beautiful, the music was beautiful.This is a wonderful opera.Maybe it will come back into print, it's alive in Europe I found out, but the DVD won't play in this country. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Movie    3. Performing Arts    4. Performing Arts - Opera   

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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    3. Performing Arts - Opera   

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• Classical
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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    3. Performing Arts - Opera   

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Reviews (8)

Wait for this to be reissued on the BBC/Opus Arte label
I don't know what possessed 2 different companies to release 2 titles of Jackie biographies simultaneously. Nonetheless being a Jackie fan, I purchased them both. With hindsight it would probably have been better to have stuck with just the other release, "Jacqueline du Pre In Portrait" (on BBC/Opus Arte). Not that this present documentary is worse in any way. Both films were shot by Christoper Nupen. And that's exactly what makes this release from EMI less desirable. Seeing how Christopher Nupen is supervising the release of all his documentaries under the BBC/Opus Arte label, it would have been better to wait for the release of this documentary under his imprimatur. Especially so when you consider the generous supplements included with the current Opus Arte release (155mins) and the total lack of extras on this one by EMI (56mins). In either case the restoration and remastering of the vintage material is exemplary. It helped that they were all shot on film and not video.
It is Well Worth Your Time

Remembering Jacqueline Du Pr�
Remembering Jacqueline Du Pre is a very touching film, a lasting tribute to her talent and a poignent reminder of what we have missed.I have only had the video a couple of days and I have watched it many times. I do wish that it could have been a little longer, however, I am sure it will leave a profound impression on those who view it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber Music & Recitals    2. Classical    3. Classical Artists    4. Performing Arts - Concerts   

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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Performing Arts - Concerts   

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Reviews (19)

Close, but no cigar
With a list of singers that includes Pavarotti, Milnes, and Marton, you'd expect a "production of the century."
HORRENDOUS !!
If anyone wonders why Placido Domingo is starred on so many opera videos, and Pavarotti on relatively few, all they need to do is to watch this particular DVD.His rotund appearance is so appalling, that the whole thing becomes laughable.He can barely move, and his involvement with the character is virtually nill.The voice, of course, is magnificent - to not admit that would be wrong and unfair ----- but Pavarotti, with his excessive bulk, is totally unsuited to video.Most of his videos are of concerts, which makes good sense, but in a complete opera (oh, there are a few - Ernani, L'Elisir, Boheme, Rigoletto, etc), all he does is conjure up a travesty, one that opera-haters love to cling to.
Almost perfect
I just love this video.I often play it as an audio recording.Pavarotti is great nothwithstanding his acting abilities.His singing is the tops.Marton has a big pretty voice of course, but she is a bit miscast here, as she just doesn't quite have the agility for Leonora.I would still call her performance quite acceptable.Zajick is great.Her singing and acting are absolutely riveting.Milnes is great - the voice seems to have started it's downturn at this point - a bit of struggling in the passagio, but it's not too noticeable.He still produces some absolutely gorgeoues tones - a beautiful and touching voice, in my opinion. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Video    3. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    4. Performing Arts    5. Performing Arts - Opera   

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Reviews (27)

A must see and listen
Leona Mitchell is one of the very few `Sopranos' able to drive the message home, particularly in this recording.
A Wonderful Production - a review of "Turandot" - Levine/MET
The costuming, singing, and acting in this production is marvelous, lavish, [insert superlative here].HOWEVER, there are moments when the 'miking' is not great and that 'stage hollowness' comes through.This sound recording problem is mostly evident in the third act.
One of the best operatic productions the MET has ever produced
When I first saw this production on VHS in 1994, I was really bowled over with the fine singing and acting from all the principals. James Levine and his MET Orchestra produced fine sound and sensative accompaniment and overall, this production really impressed me. I vowed that when it came out on DVD, I would be the first to get a copy. This was over 3 years ago! I watch this DVD repeatedly and I am still bowled over with the overall effect of the singing and staging. Eva Marton as Turandot has been superbly costumed and directed by Franco Zefferelli and to my ears, a fine Turandot. She owns the stage in Act 2 Scene 2 and her curtain call at the end of the opera is a well-deserved ovation! Domingo had a bit of an off night with this performance, but still manages to deliver the goods as Calaf. Leona Mitchell will make you cry with her singing as Liu and the rest of the cast is first rate! This will be a difficult choice amongst some people, however the only competition will be the 1983 Vienna Turandot with Harold Prince directing and Lorin Maazel conducting. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Video    3. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    4. Performing Arts    5. Performing Arts - Opera