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Reviews (7)

Within Reason ~ The Perfect Ingenue
When I talk with people about prejudice. I remind them that blind rejection of someone who could become a very good friend is inane and self-defeating.The same can be applied to those "modernists" who reject the innocent and great movies of the 1930s to the 50s and even some 1960s, because "they ain't with it, man." They'll never know some great joys such as the grand musicalssuch as the great period love story about (in part) the democracizing of France as experienced by New World Travelers.The Nelson Eddy-Jeanette MacDonald movies are classic examples, from which many of the greatest American love songs have come."New Moon," for example. Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and music by Sigmund Romberg?Untouchable!!
Nelson Eddy and Jeanette McDonald
A PRIME MACDONALD & EDDY MUSICAL.
A beautifully filmed version of the famous 1928 Hammerstein-Romberg operetta.In 1789, the Duke de Vidier, a young French aristocrat, renounces his claim of nobility to further the cause of the revolution by freeing the bond servants in New Orleans.While posing as a deported servant named Charles Michon, the Duke sails on a New Orleans bound ship where he meets the spoiled Marianne de Beaumanoir.......Naturally the above roles are filled by none other than Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald, respectively.The working title of this film was LOVER COME BACK, and it was sometimes broadcast on television as PARISIAN BELLE. An earlier 1931 version starred Grace Moore and Lawrence Tibbett.Buster Keaton and Nat Pendelton can be seen very briefly as bondsmen.The wonderful score includes such perennials as LOVER COME BACK TO ME, STOUTHEARTED MEN, SOFTLY AS IN A MORNING SUNRISE & ONE KISS.The steamboat scenes were shot at Santa Catalina Island by Clyde de Vinna. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Musicals   

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Reviews (13)

Suberb production poor transfer to tape
This production features the talents of some superb singers who can act well.The outdoor scenes were filmed in the Middle East and are very authentic.The indoor scenes look like a poor persons house.The kings are very resplendent and resemble a renaissance painting.The singing is excellent.Teresa Stratis shows emotion both vocally and visually.
GREAT opera, so-so production
As a lifelong fan of Amahl and Menotti alike, I wish I could say that this is the greatest opera video on earth.Sadly, there are sound and visual quality issues that make this production a disappointment, despite the appearance of the lovely Teresa Stratas.
Menotti - Amahl and the Night Visitors
I purchsed this video a few years ago and was also very disappointed. I have nothing more to add to the other reviews posted here; just to agree that the sound was poor and the viewing quite fuzzy. I remember watching not only the first broadcast on NBC but several broadcasts years after that, with different casts. It was and still is my favorite Christmas story. I will certainly purchase the Schippers CD and hope to see another video or DVD in the future. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Performing Arts - Opera   

Editorial Review

This is the most popular opera production so far on DVD, surpassing evenFranco Zeffirelli's lavish, symbol-laden Read more

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Reviews (69)

Simply the best representation of Bizet's
opera ever!It's very raw and authenic interpretation of both Merimee's and Bizet's story.Filmed in Spain back in 1984, the movie holds a special place in my imagination. Real places such as the cigarette factory, the bullring in Ronda where Escamillo received accolades for his bullfighting prowess.What I really liked about the movie are the performances by Placido Domingo and Julia Migenes.They brought Jose and Carmen to life with their dialogue and acting.
A moving Carmen - the movie of the opera
You cannot close your eyes, the film adds something so special to the music even if Migenes is not the best voice Carmen ever had ... More beautiful than any other Carmen movie (let alone the opera on stage) because it was shot in Spain.

Truly Outstanding
The musical performances, acting, directing, and cinematography are first-rate.One of the few successful film renderings of opera.Even non-opera-lovers will like this. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Foreign Film [Dub Or Subtitle]    2. Movie    3. Performing Arts - Opera   

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Reviews (14)

innovative introduction to opera
I bought this years ago for nieces and nephews who loved it. Rebought it recently when my grandson was 9 months old. Now, at 15 months, when he stays with us, it's the on;y thing he wants to see(over and over). He now hums and dances to the music and jabbers at the screen. I wish there was a sequel! This is such an incredible, painless and pleasurable way to introduce children(and adults) to the incredible world of opers

The only thing I didn't like about it was. . .
that there wasn't more of it.Someone should do a sequel; there are so many wonderful arias and choruses that could be treated.
Continuing source of great pleasure
We received this as a gift years ago and we've played it innumerable times to the delight of our now 8 year old granddaughter who has viewed it since she was 2. It is so creative, perhaps the most imaginative approach to opera for persons of all ages.There are some scenes of violent acts (murder and suicide)which are managed in a reasonably sensitive way. Even so, children over the age of 5-6 will recognize what has occured. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Music    3. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio   

Editorial Review

This extraordinarily powerful 1983 production may be the best-sungperformance by Luciano Pavarotti on DVD, but when acting values are counted in,Ingvar Wixell manages to outshine the tenor star. Verdi gave the Duke two ofItalian opera's most brilliant arias ("Questa o quella" and "La donna emobile"), but he gave the deformed jester Rigoletto a depth and complexity of character that is reflected in music of great variety and enormous emotional impact: the cruel mockery of the opening scene, the self-doubts inspired by hisdialogue with Sparafucile, the paternal anxieties and final despair at hisdaughter's sad fate, and the burning, self-destructive thirst for revenge. Allthese motives work their way into music of great dramatic richness, variety, andintensity. Wixell rises to its challenges, not only in the title role but in acameo appearance as Rigoletto's nemesis Monterone. Location filming provides anatmosphere unavailable in staged productions. Read more

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Reviews (42)

A fantastic version of Verdi's opera
Even a person who does not like opera will enjoy this movie version of Rigoletto. The principals are outstanding and Ponnelle's production is perfectly executed. A winner on all counts!

Outstanding Film Version
Every Pavarotti fan should own this marvelous film version of one of Verdi's greatest operas. In addition to the strong characterization, this opera provides several outstanding arias for each of the three leading characters, as well as touching duets, and one of opera's most famous quartets. Pavarotti's youthful voice sparkles with vitality, and his acting is more than satisfactory for the libertine Duke. This is a chance to enjoy the greatest tenor voice of our generation in its prime. (Yes, Domingo has greater versatility, especially in terms of roles and languages, but it's Pavarotti's golden voice that will mark him as one of greatest tenors of all time.) In this recording, his vocal trademarks are on display, including his sweet and bright tonal quality, lyric and classic legato, pure and smooth delivery, and wonderful upper extension. Edita Gruberova, the Czechoslovakian lyric soprano, gives a touching portrayal as the innocent Gilda. In the very difficult aria, "Caro nome," her coloratura trills express Gilda's ecstasy, her soft diminuendo suggests devotion, and her closing cadenza expresses her pure and radiant beauty. And she does it all while looking very relaxed. Ingvar Wixell, the Swedish baritone, sings with great strength and conviction, and his acting is outstanding. In this production, Gilda looks like she could actually be Rigoletto's daughter because they both have rather round faces. There are baritones that sing with greater warmth and sensitivity, but there are few baritones who could provide a more convincing acting performance. (If you want to hear a very warm and touching portrayal of an anxious father and devoted daughter, try the recently reissued 1950 CD recording with Leonard Warren and Erna Berger.)
Povero Rigoletto, lucky us
Jean-Pierre Ponnelle's movie of Rigoletto was my first exposure to this wonderful opera...watching it again, years later, from the perspective of a seasoned Rigoletto(and Verdi) enthusiast, it still has the power to enchant, to revolt, to surprise, to overpower, to inform and to provoke thought on the strength of its dark interpretation, its psychological approach.
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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Video    3. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    4. Performing Arts    5. Performing Arts - Opera   

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

Editorial Review

Ingmar Bergman's vision of Read more

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Reviews (53)

Wonderful, wonderful
Ingmar Bergman's lively rendition of the Magic Flute is a delight.
Great introduction to opera
My grandfather has been a lifelong fan of opera, but me? Not really. I'm more of a choral/orchestral fan.I teach elementary music, and have always struggled with introducing the children to opera.I tried Hansel and Gretel, but the English version from the Met is harder to understand than the one I saw in German with subtitles.Well, this one did it!The kids love it, and I have a 30 years too late crush on Pamina!They were rolling when they saw the dragon, and the queen scared the heck out of them.The way it was recorded and lip-synched to makes it very realistic, unlike other opera movies I've seen.I own it on VHS, and I'm going to buy the DVD right now!

What a delight !
Like some of the other reviewers I saw Bergman's film of the 'Magic Flute' soon after it was released. That left me with a lasting impression of the magical atmosphere of this adaptation of Mozart's wonderful last opera. I particularly liked the way the film moves effortlessly from comedy to high seriousness, the beautiful directness of the singing and the use of the old theatre with its clonky 'special effects'.
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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Foreign    3. Foreign Film - Swedish    4. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    5. Performing Arts   

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Reviews (5)

Fabulous portrait!
The very gifted actress Eleanor Parker, made simply a vibrant and extraordinarily vivid performance about the life of Marjorie Lawrence's personal tragedy who was attacked by the polio. The famous Farrell supports Parker in his several characterizations. Excel tribute to one of the most distinguished figures of the Bel Canto.
I saw this movie in 1955
when I was 12 years old, but of course I didn't have my hat on backwards and I am not a boy.I saw it with my best-friend, then and now, who was also a victim of polio. INTERRUPTED QUALITY
This movie is the outstanding, true story of one of Opera's finest stars of the 20th Century, Australian Marjorie Lawrence, played by actress Eleanor Parker.Along with Glenn Ford and a very young Roger Moore, the acting is also superb.Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie    4. Musical Features    5. Musicals (Theatrical)   

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Reviews (34)

Fantabuous!Bravo!
Lavish production--sets, costumes, voices, orchestra, and dancing.
Outstanding performance
I'm impressed. This is an outstanding performance, at a good tempo, with good sound quality, and great artists.

Ancient Egyptian razzmatazz and some great singing
Of all the 'Aida' productions I've witnessed, this version is my favorite.If you are searching for your first 'Aida' it should be this Metropolitan Opera production with its balance of great and good singers, and its grandiose Egyptian backdrops of sandstone, bronze, linen and gold.It has one of the better triumphal marches, too.No elephants (except for a few tusks), but scads of soldiers, dancers, Ethiopian prisoners, leopard skins, and gaily caparisoned horses.
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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Video    3. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    4. Performing Arts    5. Performing Arts - Opera   

Editorial Review

Most opera "greatest hits" collections involve the usual musical suspects; this compilation from La Scala (Milan), Covent Garden (London), Glyndebourne (England), La Fenice (Venice), and Arena di Verona (Italy), while unavoidably uneven, does have more hits than misses. The most memorable excerpts? John Rawnsley's rousing "Largo al factotum" from Read more

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Reviews (1)

Kabaivanska's Butterfly
On the cover picture there is a small portrait of Raina Kabaivanska as Butterfly. Strangely why she is not even mentioned among the singers.Her performance is one of the greatest moments on this DVD.You could not imagine more beautiful Butterlfy than Kabaivanska. Fan Site: www.rainafan.tk ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Vocals    3. Opera/Operetta Collections    4. Performing Arts    5. Performing Arts - Opera    6. V/a Compilations   

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Reviews (74)

La Traviata
It is one of the best operas made in movie that I have ever seen.It is a true masterpiece.

worth recommendating
a good classic performance with luxurious scenes.
Excellent!Bravo!
Franco Zeffirelli wanted to bring opera to the screen so that more people could enjoy it.I'm sure he succeeded with this production of Verdi's La Traviata with such divine music.
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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 (2)

very good
This recital is very interesting. Even if Carreras spits a lot while singing. Lights and angle of camera, I suppose. There is something quite intimate in this recital. Amateurs should buy, just to listen to and see the great Master performing.

A fun Recital
For me personally it doesn't get any better.Jose Carreras is my hero and he hams it up in this recital.Unfortunatly this is 1987 which is a tad bit late on his vocal ticker.His high notes are shoved, but not foggy in the least.Those who are accostomed to his three tenors warbling will find a relativley consistant vibrato.Read more

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

Editorial Review

The American Ballet Theater version of the Tchaikovsky classic, a 1977 studio rendition directed by Tony Charmoli, has become a holiday perennial on PBS stations and home video. It's a favorite of parents who want to give their kids the gift of culture--and with good reason.There's a loose fairy tale plot to keep dance neophytes interested, and Boris Aronson's eye-candy production design is a series of lavish dioramas. From an imperial-era Russian Christmas party out of Tolstoy, a young girl named Clara (Gelsey Kirkland) is whisked in dreams to an imaginary world populated by the animated creations of the wizard toy maker Drosselmeier (Alexander Minz), who prances on his stick-thin limbs like a Dickens illustration come to life. The main attraction is, of course, Mikhail Baryshnikov, one of the greatest classical dancers of the century, at his absolute peak of athleticism and precision. An opening slow-motion montage diagrams his fabled smoothness of execution, elegant airborne trajectories that have a feather-light perfection.Music lovers who know only "The Nutcracker Suite" will relish the chance to hear this great score all the way through, conducted with lilt and vigor by Kenneth Schermerhorn. Read more

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Reviews (55)

Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Baryshnikov, Kirkland, Charmoli
Wonderful as all Baryshnikov performances are.The popular Christmas ballet at its best!!!!

Nice Adaptation
I was impressed that they actually performed this to be video taped and took advantage of the video options like zoom.No one jumps like Baryshnikov.It's magical.

Nutcracker has a clear sexual theme to it
Rss22 is apparently disturbed by the sexual theme present in this version of the Nutcracker. However, it is essential to the ballet. In short, the Nutcracker is about a young girl becoming a woman and the sexual conflicts involved. Her dream is clearly sexual. She fights off the mice who represent her "dirty" sexual impulses and lascivious temptations including that of being "conquered" by the Mouse King. Finally, with the arrival of the Nutcracker Prince and his help, she is able to sublimate these impulses into a mature love for a protector who marries her (the Nutcracker prince) and who makes an "honest woman" of her. Proper versions of the ballet always have the Christmas tree swell and rise to gargantuan size, like the big phallis it represents. Ballets that fail to do this indicate a lack of understanding of what the ballet is all about. However, children can enjoy it without necessarily having the sexual meanings made explicit to them. Just don't point them out. Simple. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballet    2. Christmas    3. Classical    4. Music Video    5. Opera/Operetta    6. Performance   

Editorial Review

According to this video's back cover,Finbar Wright "is being hailed as the leading Irish tenor on the world'sstage." He establishes Irish credentials firmly with memorableperformances of "Danny Boy" and "My Lagan Love," but hisambition clearly goes beyond that ethnic category. No other Irishtenor, and not many who are not Spanish, would open a program,as he does this 1991 concert from the Grand Opera House in Belfast, with Ferdinand Lara's "Granada." He sings it perfectly, with amastery of Spanish style and language acquired during years ofwork and study in Spain.He is also adept in Italian, and in thedialect of Naples, which is like no other language.Read more

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Reviews (8)

A Love-Hate Relationship
I love the Irsh tenors and have enjoyed them at live concerts all around New England.This love prompted me to purchase this Finbar Wright opera spectacular.As a great lover of opera nd an operatic tenor myself, I had great expectations for Finbar. Finbar Wright, Best Irish Tenor Alive IMHO
This video displays the magnificent talent of Finbar Wright with his beautiful and trained voice, he sings each selection beautifully and pretty perfect IMHO.I love his voice and the songs and arias he sings.He reminds me of Mario Lanza but he will have a much longer career hopefully.

All you current opera tenors can breath easy ***for awhile
Finbar is the very essence of Irish tenors plus a marvelous singer of most songs. I repeat most songs. I could listen to him sing for hours on end but not opera arias. Finbar has a long way to go before he can carry any opera. Opera singers both male and female are not just singers they are trained in there craft and as of right now he needs a lot of training before he can have the opera world waving big dollar contracts for him to sign. If you love a good Irish tenor this is your video. I encourage you to purchase this video. ... Read more

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

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Reviews (1)

Opera singers from Ed Sullivan's "really big shoe"
For those who remember "The Ed Sullivan Show" for The Beatles, Senor Wences, and Topo Gigio, this collection of operatic highlights serves as a reminder that high culture was also a part of the mix each week on Sunday night's broadcast.Sullivan presented not only rock stars and grand opera but classical ballet, dramatic recitations, and dancing bears between 1948 and 1971 on CBS.Read more

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

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Reviews (10)

Favorite classic
Mother took me to see this film when I was a child.Loved it then and I still do. Have been searching for this video a long time.I have a German heritage.This is one of my favorite fairy tales and favorite operas.Learned to sing several of the arias.Danced the part of one of the 14 angels and later the dew fairy in OKC productions of this opera.Beautiful music performed in the opera comic style with singing and speaking.Wonderful visuals.Am preparing lesson plans which include this video and Bergmann's subtitled Magic Flute for a unit on opera. Unfortunately, this moveis not for everyone.Today's audiences have been brought up on very shallow popular entertainment which is geared to the lowest common denominator.This lovely little piece of video art requires some cognitive activity on the part of the viewer and an attention span of more than 20 minutes.

Hansel and Gretel: An Opera Fantasy
Takes you back to the early 60's watching this on WPIX Channel 11 as a TV special. It is nice to have for your collection, younger children may not enjoy it today.

Hansel & Gretel 1954 -only redo it rightl
This somewhat abridged version of the Opera offers a jewel of a translation bycelebrated poet Padraic Colum, a far cry more poetic and evocative than the German original. The puppets, a Czech develoment, got moved and reset 140,000 times between clicks of director Meyerberger's shutter. The effect's intriguing, the music's classic, the orchesta's first rate, the singing's skilled. I've seen and heard the orginal. It bids fair to be a legacy and any child'shappiest introduction to opera. But . . . . It's not. This DVD didn't come from from a master, not even a first generation print. More likely a third or fourth level copy of a copy. The video suffers some but the sound stands just this side of obliteration. You can even hear the needle chatter of a vinyk record. It's too good a classic to lose this way. Go back and do it right. ... Read more

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

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Reviews (6)

This title is now available on DVD
It is not immediately obvious (it doesn't come up as an alternate format), but this work is now available in a DVD edition, which has been re-mastered to 5.1 digital sound.

Magnificent, A great opera story ever told , Viva Mascagni
I have seen this video more than three times & each time i see it, it has the same impact on me. The feeling of beauty, tragedy. The way the artists potray the characters is truly superb. My favourate scenes is between the Tiruddu & Santuzza. The song 'No no Tiruddu' is done so well. also the intermezzo. Thelast act my Domingo 'Mama....."saying goodbye to her mother before the fight with Alfio ofcourse he dies at the end. The woman who shouts "Somebody has killed Tiruddu" in Italian is such a thrill & has become so familiar with many movie goers especially "the God Father part 3" saga. This is a great video to own.Obrastva & Domingo have never sounded so good. I also like Alfio's voice with his whip at the beginning of the film when he enters the market & everyone sorrounds him to listen. Buy this one U wont regret.

Cavalleria Rusticana
The greatest opera ever composed. Why is it not available in DVD? ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Jacques Offenbach died with his masterpiece not quite finished, and thathas made Read more

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Reviews (28)

The last great Powell and Pressburger film, and it is extraordinary.
Poor Hoffmann. He is a poet who is famously unlucky in love. As a young student in Paris, he first fell in love with Olympia (Moira Shearer). She was a gorgeous creature with pale, silken skin, luminous eyes and red hair. Unfortunately, she was an automaton. Then, as a man of the world in Venice, he fell in love with Giulietta (Ludmilla Tcherina). She was seductive, with black eyes that held promises and with long, raven hair. Unfortunately, she stole men's reflections and then their souls. Next, as a famous poet visiting a beautiful isle, he fell in love with Antonia (Ann Ayers), a young, passionate opera singer. Unfortunately, she suffered from consumption. Throughout it all, he is accompanied by a young and skeptical friend, Nicklaus (Pamela Brown), and followed by the sinister Lindorf (Robert Helpmann), who seems determined to thwart Hoffmann. Now, he waits in a tavern for his new love, the ballet dancer Stella (Moira Shearer). And while he waits and drinks, everyone urges Hoffmann to tell them the tales of his loves. And in this opera by Jacques Offenbach, and in this marvelous movie by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, he does.
powell & pressburger channel offenbach & george romero
an amazing movie! to begin, my thanks to my friend bugsy for turning me on to this, which i probably would not have watched on my own. adapted from the offenbach opera, there are so many startling images i will only single out three: the coil springs popping out of olympias severed head and dissolving into the canal of venice; the barefooted giulietta descending the statued steps portrayed as the heads of her victims; the desperate antonia running thru door after door only to continue entering the same room. beautifully danced, beautifully sung, i watched this two times in a row (second time with martin scorseses terrific commentary) and i KNOW i could watch this many more times and STILL find something new. great work by director michael powell and scenarist emerich pressburger, this has gone on my list of the 100 best ever.
Offenbach's opera on the big screen
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Movie    3. Performing Arts - Opera   

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Reviews (2)

DVD Gods Listen Up!
I have seen many productions of Hansel Und Gretel, but this one is far and away the finest, both in terms of singing and acting!Why has no one seen fit to release this exquisite production on DVD?

adorable
Solti is always Solti. Gruberova is so childish as never after.Fassbaender is the ever-boy-in-the-oper. The direction's great, and this was the most beautiful scene I've ever seen. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas / Chanukkah    2. Classical    3. Performing Arts - Opera