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Reviews (2)

A toast to Mario"s Toast ofNew Orleans"
Another great Mario Lanza movie.Great comic talent, great enthusiam (it seems to flow so effortlessly from him), and, of course that great voice.Once again, Kathryn Grayson is wonderful as his leading lady--what a lovely voice.His comic sidekick is excellent.

Rare live footage of a great singer
Mario Lanza gave over 150 concerts in his brief career; tragically, only a tiny fraction of these were preserved on tape, and even fewer performances were captured on film. This videotape contains two out of the three live performances known to be in existence. Missing here is the tenor's 1957 appearance at the London Palladium; it's to be hoped that the Belcanto Society releases that exciting event in the near future.Read more

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

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Reviews (1)

A fascinating oddity
La Serva Padrona is the quintessential Opera Buffa. This film is pretty quirky, but its faults are excusable, provided you're familiar with the genre. Read more

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

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Reviews (2)

The Merry Widow Ballet
Una presentacion excelente, una coreagrafia de lo mejor, todos los bailarines de magnifica calidad, vestuario delicado y de buen gusto, en fin, todo grandioso.

Awesome!
One of the reasons I love this production is because it was taped in my hometown of Chicago, Illinois at the Studios of the PBS station here.The other reason I love it is because my best friend gave it to me for my birthday. ... Read more

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

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pretty good movie adaptation of the intriguing opera
interesting version of the great bartok opera. the two performers sing well, although the stylized acting of opera works less well on screen and the scenery is a little ridiculous at times because it's so unrealistic. the singer who plays bluebeard is a little too stoic at the end. the last scene is extremely well-done dramatically and visually -- the costumes are amazing. worth seeing this fascinating highly allegorical opera visually, although the production doesn't do very well resolving the difficulties of the staging because it tries to depict the scenes too literally.

Surreal and beautiful
This filmed (like a real movie, not a stage performance) version of Bartok's expressionistic ode to human isolation and secrets is gorgeously photographed and acted by the stunning Hungarian soprano Sylvia Sass asJudith and her Bluebeard Kolos Kovats.Reminiscent of Cocteau, this movieis full of unforgettable images and surroundings.And best of all it'sshort -- just under one hour (not bad for an opera).Not to be missed. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

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Reviews (7)

Oh, the doing and undoing ... / When a jester goes a-wooing / And he wishes he was dead!
I am in general agreement with five of the preceding six Amazon reviewers.This is ultimately a disappointing version of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Yeomen of the Guard."It is all the more disappointing because its weaknesses arise from business decisions rather than artistic ones.These Brent Walker productions were rigidly locked into two-hour blocks of television broadcast time.Some, like "The Pirates of Penzance" and "HMS Pinafore" had to be stretched unconscionably.This one had to be cut with a very dull and bloody ax.
A sadly lackluster production
It is a shame that this seems to be the only widely-distributed video recording of Yeomen of the Guard. In my opinion it was Gilbert and Sullivan's best collaboration, but this production fails to capture its spirit. A crucial element Yeomen's greatness is its balance of humor and pathos, but the humor is completely missing here. Joel Grey, especially, in his drab costume, seems to miss the Point (forgive the pun) entirely. Without seeing his brighter side, I felt no sympathy for him at the end. In fact, all of the actors cover up the humor. I also feel that the choreography is extremely dull. In some places, the chorus walks aimlessly around like zombies. The numerous cuts further detract from this performance, especially in the second act. On the positive side, the singing (with the possible exception of Joel Grey) is generally very good. Nevertheless, if you want to see Yeomen as it was meant to be performed, go see a good live production.

Disappointing, but still worth seeing
I hope someone someday will release a definitive video of Yeomen.This one is not it, although it is better than nothing and seems to be the only version available.Yeomen should be much better known, both to serious opera lovers and to G&S fans.Hoever, it is almost never performed outside Britain, and not very often there.Read more

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

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Mozart's Requiem is a brilliant work of art
Mozart! My all time favorite composer, in the end stages of life still can produce this absolute geneuous work of art, no other composer could dream of doing. I have the CD and the video recording is better. If your a Mozartfanatic this isa must have! ... Read more

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

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Reviews (11)

Silver Rose blossoms pure in this Rosenkavalier.
Hard to fault this wonderful, traditional set.No Euro-trash here! Te Kanawa is very moving as she becomes the Marchellin in love with youth and fully aware that the moment's passion will end.Everyone exceeds expectation and Solti, for once, is more gentle in the pit than he is want to be, especially in Wagner and in his wonderful London set of this opera. Strauss and his characters are allowed to be themselves unmarred by interpretative "I can do better than they did...." syndrome. Baron Ochs appears as the foolish, unrefined person he is, but not as atotally vulgar and unsympathetic oaf. Haugland plays Ochs perfectly and sings with lush, opulent tone.As Octavian and Sophie, Howells qnd Bonney sing to the nines, Howells with full, strong, even voice and Bonney with stratospheric clarity and warmth. A very moving performance that belongs on your shelves along with theother royal opera dvd gems; Romeo et Juliette, Boheme, etc.

Beautifully acted, sung performance
Der Rosenkavalier remains one of the most popular operas, despite being extremely long (all stage productions cut to some degree, and even then it's 3 hours or more of music) and a storyline that upon examination is a trifle thin. Strauss's opera also places exceptional demands upon the singers -- they must sing beautifully, act the part, and convey both humor and feeling. This 1985 performance from Covent Garden succeeds on all requirements: the cast is uniformly strong, the production is beautiful and elegant, and I shed a tear or two at the final trio.
Totally Ravishing!!
I tend to spend most of my opera viewing time in the Italian and French repertoire, but have always enjoyed the ravishing music of Rosenkavalier in excerpts which include "the presentation of the rose" and the final trio. If more lovely music has ever been penned, I haven't heard it, but listening to all of it was a bit tedious, to tell the truth.
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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Artists    3. Music Videos - Classical    4. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio   

Editorial Review

With her creamy, rich soprano and lustrous stage presence, JenniferLarmore has been highly sought after as both opera singer and recitalist, andthis 2001 concert showcases her wide appeal. In an eclectic array of songsspanning four centuries of composing, Larmore (ably supported by her pianist,Antoine Palloc) demonstrates her operatic abilities by performing arias ofHandel, Rossini, and Bizet, then jumps headlong into the 20th-century songrepertoire, tackling Debussy, Kurt Weill, Samuel Barber, and current AmericanwunderkindJake Heggie. The encores include thedelightful Latin stylings of Ary Barroso and Fernando Obradors, more Heggie, andfinally the rarely heard Roger Quilter and "Art Is Calling for Me" from theoperetta Read more

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Reviews (1)

Fun to watch and listen to
I have been a fan of Jennifer Larmore ever since her early, spectacular recording of Handel's "Julius Caesar," but have unfortunately never seen her sing.This video, then, fills an important gap in my collection, and I cannot praise it highly enough.Larmore is both a fine artist and an entertaining singer: though some of her acting seems a little contrived when compared to, say, Janet Baker, she is never overly silly or annoying.The way she "acts out" the three Rossini songs that comprise "The Venetian Regatta," for instance, is amusing without being irksome, and to see her settle into the crook of the piano to deliver Kurt Weill's French cabaret songs is simply delightful.Read more

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

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A Comedy with some culture and good singing
This opera is a comedy set in an english village in the early 1900's.The basic story is that the village notables decide that none of the village girls are good enough in reputation to elect a festival queen so they choose Albert Herring, the shy village green-grocer who is firmly under his mother's rule to be the festival King .In the subsequent events, Albert appears at the festival, collects his prize money and disappears, much lamented by all.He reappears at the end having spent some of his prize at nearby pubs.Clearly, he is transformed by the experience and takes charge of his own life in a happy ending.Read more

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Editorial Review

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Reviews (8)

Excellent, Bravo!
I was terribly disappointed with the Met version because Eva came across as a simple flirty airhead.We know Wagner did not want that.This was probably the director's fault.The Eva in this Australian version was far more eloquent and an Eva in Paradise, worthy of Wagner's score.The voices were powerful and wonderful, and the music under Scotland's Charles Mackerras was also powerful and excellent though some thought it compressed.
Great Production, Average Sound
The real fun in this performance is in the scenes shared by Donald McIntyre and Jonathan Pringle. As Hans Sachs and Sixtus Beckmesser respectively both men excel in their roles. These two had fun doing this and it's noticeable everywhere. Their facial expressions and body language are hilarious and their timing is superb. The level of spontaneity they share exceptional to the point where they don't appear to be acting. These two feed each other the way the members of some of the great comedy teams have and go beyond just being funny. One of the moving moments in the production comes near the end when Sachs goes to the humiliated Beckmesser to lift him back up. It's rare to see roles played with such a rare mixture of (wicked) glee and compassion.
Crippled by poor sound quality and cast
I'm very disappointed with the sound quality here as there is a very noticable compression and background hiss.I did not like Doese at all.Her acting seemed contrived and was very uncomfortable throughout.Frey does his best but is not suited for this role.Doigt is good as David.McIntyre is just okay.The sets are for the most part good and the 'Dances of the prentices' scene is very well done.The Mackerras led orchestra was competent but uninspiring.I love Meistersinger but this DVD surely can't be satisfactory with that bad sound.I keep wondering when/if the Met will fill the void. ... Read more

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

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Editorial Review

Claude Debussy's great literary opera, Read more

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Reviews (7)

compare Jonathan Miller
For those who found this production too static, please watch the DVD of Handel's Tamerlano directed for the Halle Festival by Jonathan Miller.In an interview that's part of the bonus material, Miller explains his philosophy of directing operas.Basically, sometimes there is no need to have people moving about the stage.The Pelleas et Melisande with Gardiner and all is so gripping that there is no need for running about the stage.This is one of the very few times I have approved of tampering with a composer's stage directions -- and this is the first time I really enjoyed a production of P&M.

Mesmerizing
This performance is consistently and repeatedly (I've been drawn back to it many times) engrossing and ...yes. .mesmerizing.The poetic essential interpretation allows the mystery and power of this most delicious score to stay at the fore -- no distractions. To address a complaint made by others, the sound on my DVD is fine -- no problems at all.

Bad bad sound!
The staging is okay, but the sound is ABSOLUTELY terrible.Read more

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

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This Production is from the 1950's
The acting is the strong point of this version of Don Giovanni. The real trouble is that though the singing seems quite well done, particularly the male roles, the sound quality is really poor.It is probably worth watching just to see the excellient way Siepi plays the Don, but the soprano voices particularly suffer from the acoustics and/or the recording.The orchestra is often recorded too far forward which also obscures the vocals.Really, your purchase of this video will depend more on whether the historical interest is enough to offset the very real deficiencies in the sound. ... Read more

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Editorial Review

In an audio recording, the distinctive quality of thisNetherlands Opera production would go unnoticed, and a lot of peoplemight like it better without pictures. The singing is first-class, witha pert, smart, visually appealing Rosina (Jennifer Larmore), a CountAlmaviva who can spin out bel canto melodies and also do a good drunkscene (Richard Croft), a Figaro with lots of personality (David Malis).And conductor Alberto Zedda is an expert in the music of Rossini. Butvideo brings out the fact that, for better or for worse, this Read more

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Reviews (33)

Just Great!
The singers in this production are not only wonderful but they are miracle-workers as well, with all the perpetual "Comedia del Arte" action going on as they overcome the frenzy and deliver top-notch performances in spite of it. The constant manipulation of drapery in every scene was a bit distracting, but the singing and acting were so good that I still thoroughly enjoyed the opera. The orchestra is great, too, and the filming is excellent. Buy this DVD. It's worth the price.

Hack work
This production very disappointing -- vastly inferior to to the Nucci-Battle-Dara performance!
Marvelously Sung - a Little Busy:A lot of fun!
While Dario Fo has gone overboard - populating every square inch of the set with extras and stage business - this remains, overall, a "fun" Barbiere.
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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Music Video (Concert/Performance)    3. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    4. Performing Arts    5. Performing Arts - Opera