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Editorial Review

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Reviews (4)

Viva Stiffelio!
There has already been said a lot about this dvd and I can only second those reviewers who praise this opera; both the composer and the singers have done a wonderful job. This opera doesn't contain any show-stopping arias, but the music throughout the entire opera is really beautiful.
Stiffelio
Now that the score to Verdi's Stiffelio has been rediscovered, the opera should be recognized as a great dramatic work and performances should be frequent, but unfortunately this is not the case. Verdi's mature career did not begin with Rigoletto, and operas such as Luisa Miller and this one prove that point. In fact, the only weak aspect of this opera is the overture, which, despite being a fairly enjoyable piece of music with some moments of Verdian brilliance, is overlong, and seems a little facile, relying too much on standard uninspired Donizettian conventions. In addition, it seems incongruous to the dark themes and music of the actual opera as a whole. Stiffelio would probably be a superior work without the overture, but that is a minor quibble because this is a great piece of music drama that breaks some of the conventions of the time, being perhaps less reliant on the aria-cabaletta structure than even Rigoletto, Il Trovatore and La Traviata! A Splendid and Satisfying Performance
Stiffelio is considered "early Verdi" to musiclogists who classify things, but, in reality, it is a final transition between the maestro's earlier (but most enjoyable) works, and the mature craftsmanship of Rigoletto. Preceded by Luisa Miller (q.v.), there is more dramatic intensity and story line than in the earlier works. The plot centers around Stiffelio, a minister, who discoversthat his wife, Mina, has been unfaithful. While the 19th century approach to dishonoring father and husband may be dated to some, the fact is that in watching this opera, the viewer will inevitably be caught up in the story and characters. The singers are generally fine. Catherine Malfitano is not only an exceptional soprano, but an accomplished actress as well. The facial expressions, the use of her hands and all the body mechanics are simply wonderful. I am unsure as to whether Jose Carreras was about to be diagnosed with lieukemia, or had gone into remission when he made this recording. In either case, his portrayal of the title character, in my opinion, would be hard to beat. He is fully in command of his instrument and brings life and dramatic intensity to his role. Particularly good is Gregory Yurisch in the role of Stankar, Mina's father. Here we have the third in Verdi's moving father-daughter duets (Giovanna D'Arco and Luisa Miller were earlier),the emotionally charged qualities of which many trace to the loss of the composer's first wife and baby daughters in 1840. The rest of the cast are equally fine. A surprise to me was the quality of the conducting. I never considered Sir Edward Downes to be a leading interpreter of Verdi's music. Well, he is in this performance, and as such, presents the music very well indeed. The tape to disc transfer is very good, as is the quality of the sound. As I have noted in other reviews, DVD performances of opera are really the next best thing to a live performance. Stiffelio is not performed often, so whether you live near a performing arts center or not, this DVD may be the only chance to experience it. If you are, as I am, a fan of Verdi, this is a must buy. If you want to see how good opera is on DVD or are new to Verdi, buy it. It's a fine effort. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Offenbach's melodious extravaganza is essentially a celebration of Parisas a tourist trap, a background for attempted seductions, and a fertile sourceof routine flim-flams. This 1991 Opera National de Lyon production, emanatingfrom one of Paris's chief rivals among French cities, focuses gleefully on thesordid aspects of the City of Lights, but its strongest appeal is in the qualityof the singing and dancing.Read more

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Wonderfuland delightful musical entertainment.
Fully agree with the previous reviewer. Myself being quite partial to Offenbach who singlehandedly created "operetta", a forerunner of Suppe and a whole generation of Austrian-German-Hungarian operetta composers, including Johann Strauss, Zeller, Millocker, Ziehrer, Lehar and Kalman, I'd like to emphasize certain very positive aspects of this production.
Flawed but still delightful
"La vie parisienne," a paean to Second Empire Paris and its voluptuous delights, may be Offenbach's most tuneful score.The irresistible melodies and rhythms never stop-except, naturally, to allow for spoken dialogue (and if that bothers you you aren't cut out to be an operetta fan :o).The best-known tunes appear in the popular ballet, "Gaite parisienne," arranged by French conductor Manuel Rosenthal; and anyone who loves that piece will be captivated to hear and see the originals and their lyrics come to life dramatically in the complete operetta, the words as witty and sophisticated as the music.This production, somewhere between traditional and modernistic, tells the story and captures the satire very well.
Nothing to write home about....
I owe 2 other Offenbach productions-"La Belle Helene" staged by theZurich Opera and "Orphee aux Enfers" staged by Lyon National Opera(available in Zone 0 format from Amazon.co.uk)which are much better than this one.Read more

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

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Reviews (14)

Use your imagination.
I like this opera very much, but while I found it musically as good as the cast and conductor would lead one to expect, it is visually so disappointing that I gave my copy to the public library.If this performance is on CD, listen to that with your eyes closed and watch the performance you create in your own head.It can only be better.

For Die-Hard Fans or the Very Curious
First off, I have to admit that "Les Troyens" is just not a favorite opera of mine.Despite all the sturm und drang (French translation, please) on display -- and there's plenty of it -- I just don't find the piece involving, either dramatically or musically.That said, it's obviously a significant work of Art and worthy of any opera fan's attention.And this DVD, recorded at the Met in 1983, offers a starry cast, all of whom do themselves proud.Norman has to be one of the most intense and idiosyncratic sopranos of the past 30 years, and she's riveting here; the sound is glorious, the acting remarkable for its power.Domingo is hardly less effective, his bright, clarion sound superbly matched by the mellowness of Troyanos, herself a superb actress.So why only 2 stars?Because the production is a disaster.It's ill-conceived and lumbering, with sets that match the auditorium's garish gold theme to ill effect.(Can this look really have been considered stylish in the 70s?) The costumes in particular are a joke; literally, they're laugh inducing.The identical braids for the female chorus and the Chewbacca boots for the Trojan soldiers may have seemed chic on paper, but when seen on the frumpy, geriatric singers, they're nothing short of ridiculous.(It may sound as if I'm being unduly harsh, but they have to be seen to be believed.) At one point, poor Mr. Domingo must don an enormous helmet that all but swallows his head -- and you can palpably sense his embarassment and discomfort.Troyanos' gold lame outfits are equally absurd.One can only watch in amazement and think that for their fashion sense alone, the Trojans deserved to lose the war.All this tackiness does nothing short of undermining the entire enterprise, which is a shame, as the sound that the singers and Levine's orchestra are producing is magnificent.If you're a die-hard fan or very, very curious, by all means buy this version of "Les Troyens."But prepare to watch it...with your eyes closed.

good music, bad theatre
I love the opera's of Hector Berlioz, who is one of the most important opera composers of the 19th century. His stature is comparable with that Richard Wagner who had been greatly influenced by the older French composer who - like Wagner - preferred to write music to his own words. In fact, I believe "Les Troyens" is one of the greatest opera's ever written and its music has been with me as long as I can remember.
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Reviews (1)

Finally, on DVD!
A good, solid, fun production (I have it on VHS, which no longer seems to be available).Finally, on DVD!Here the as-yet-undiscovered Cecilia Bartoli was at 95% of her future vocal powers (pretty darn good already!) but 100% participating in this joyous romp.Read more

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

Editorial Review

This full-blooded 1982 performance of Puccini's most-loved operademonstrates just how much drive and powerful emotion can make up for a certain lack of subtlety. Ileana Cotrubas's Mimi is entirely moving in both joy and death, while never quite feeling as thoroughly frail as some of her quieterrivals; stronger tenor voices than Neil Shicoff's have recorded the role, andyet he has a romantic passion and a dignity that many of his rivals lack.Underrated singer Gwynne Howell is especially moving in Colline's farewell to his cloak--one of those perfect little showcase sections Puccini sometimes givesto minor parts. Marilyn Zschau's Musetta is broad and comic and yet somehowincludes the audience in the glorious joke that her sexuality is for her; whenThomas Allen sings, to her famous waltz theme, of youth that is not yet dead,his ardor transcends realism. Conductor Lamberto Gardelli knew this score in his bones--the production bounces along from comedy to tears to eroticism to tragedy, and neither cast nor orchestra misses a single one of Puccini'swonderful touches of emotional exploitation. Read more

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Reviews (3)

OF THE HIGHEST ARTISTIC ORDER
Superlatives tumble forth from one's thoughts when attempting to describe this magnificent production of the Puccini masterwork, filmed at Covent Garden before an enthusiastic audience, distinguished as it is by remarkable direction and singing with splendid staging and costume design made even more vital by effective and oft amusing business.Stage director John Copley's celebrated production for LA
Excellent performance and beautiful singing.
This video is so enjoyable and excellent to watch and to listen, while giving credit to the beautiful music of Puccini. The colors and the sound are very good, and the singers are so brilliant, it emphasized the tragic story of the poor but happy Bohemians. I have seen Neil Shicoff in other operas, but in this video he is singing in his top condition, acting the character Rodolfo so beautifully and naturally,with such perfection and brilliance, that we can feel the sad and tragic situation of Rodolfo's fate as Poet. Also Illeana Cotrubas, who acts as the little poor seamstress Mimi sings with such excellence,which move our hearts by the tragic situation of Mimi who was suffering from a deathly illness. The other singers gave also their excellent contribution, including Marilyn Zschau, acting as the character of Musetta. In short this video give us such pleasant enjoyment. Only one minor imperfection, as it has no English subtitles, which makes the video difficult to be understandable. There is an English explanation in the booklet that comes in the package, but it is bothering to read it while what we want is only to watch and listen to the beautiful music, not bothered by reading the verses in English.

Marvelous!
This is an extremely well-sung and beautifully (and believably) acted Boheme. While the singers are not household names (this is a London Covent Garden Royal Opera House production), they give dazzling performances, and what's more, their youthful attractiveness and exhuberance permeate the opera, considered by most experts to be Puccini's finest and most melodic. Read more

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

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A Remarkable Voice
I have used this tape to stun disbelievers,and silence people who boast that they don't like opera. Her performance here of "Lo, hear the gentle lark" shocks and stuns in that she begins in the most poised and arch manner, then displays technicallyand musically some of the greatest singing you can find anywhere.
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Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Music Video    3. Performance    4. Performing Arts - Opera   

Editorial Review

Andrew Lloyd Webber's first and only large-scale classical work was his 1985 Requiem, composed shortly before he dabbled in opera miniatures for Read more

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Reviews (11)

What a Requiem!
This film of the Requiem is highly exciting: wonderfully performed and in a majestic church. About the same time this film came out, Decca-London released a studio recording of the Requiem with the same artists (with the exceptions of the Orchestra, Chorus and Organist). Compared to the video, the recording is pallid. True, the sound quality on the CD is better, but so what? (I mean, why do opera buffs look for live pirate recordings from the 60s? For the performance itself!) The video performance is a little slower than the CD, but I believe that through "pulling" time, Maestro Maazel has intensified the music even more to the max. Some people complain about Sarah Brightman's shrill-canine sound, but what can we do?: One can speculate that she was chosen to be the soprano solo only because she was the composer's wife. Her high notes can sometimes give one a splitting headache, but that can be forgiven in this recording of the Pie Jesu: her duet with Paul Miles Kingston is just marvelous. As for the rest of the Requiem, it's a more hip version of shall we say...the Verdi's Requiem. Verdi's Requiem is a bedrock for all "sacred music." The intensity of the Dies Irae movement really scares one with the thought of hell. However, not to that level though, but Webber's Dies Irae is exciting too, opening with two short trumpet fanfares. The Hosannaand the Liber Scriptus sections are particularly upbeat. All in all, I could go on forever talking about this video: but why don't you find out for yourself? You'll wish like me, and many others that it was out on DVD as in not to wear your VCR out from playing this tape so much!

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Masterpiece
This music is exceptionally moving.I thought the soloist were well chosen.The Hosanna was thrilling.Maestro Domingo is at his very finest. His interpretation of this piece is awe-inspiring. The young boy soprano--Paul Miles-Kingston has a wonderful instrument and I hope that he kept up his quest for serious music.He has great talent. His youth is apparent in several places, but in a very positive way.His tonal quality is breath taking.His breath control and musicianship were outstanding.I was inspired by his performance and wish him well.An Oratorio is not an opera.I did not expect to see a stage play.Sarah's duet with Paul Miles-Kingston Pie Jesu is unbelievable.The effect is ethereal--truly not of this world.Sarah's voice is bell-clear and her renditions are captivating.I've listened to this video many times and am always inspired.There is a clarity in boys' choirs that is not found elsewhere.It is captured on this particular recording.The men's choir and the orchestral also inspire me.I highly recommend this video.Andrew Lloyd Webber in this work expresses a different side of his compositional abilities from other Andrew Lloyd Webber: Requiem
I saw this performance some years ago on PBS and purchased the CD. It has been one my favorite compositions for years. This work is an absolute beauty, but unfortunately the quality of the sound and picture of the video are not up to par. At least purchase the CD and enjoy this glorious mass for the dead. ... Read more

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Reviews (10)

The Great Bach's youngest son again covers himself in ignominy
Most of PDQ Bach's operas are fairly short (Hansel and Gretel and Ted and Alice; The Stoned Guest). His really long one is mostly lost (Einstein on the Fritz). The Abduction of Figaro is a 3-act extravaganza, almost 2 1/2 hours long, set in Seville, North Africa, and Cuba. Somehow the Minnesota Opera Company was inveigled into performing it in 1984 and William Pierce was hijacked to do the commentary.
You Gotta Love Him
How Schickele can lovingly lampoon - with no intention to destroy - Mozart's greatest operas is a miracle. I couldn't stop laughing. The singers are great. And the dancers in the Corpse de Ballet are wonderful. I work for Peoria (IL) Ballet and I'm recommending this for all our dancers. Yes, it's broad. Yes, it's over the top. But every plaudit of the other reviewers is true. This "opera" is not to be missed, especially if you are a Schickele fan.

Coming out on DVD soon
I've been waiting a long time for this amazing spoof to come out on DVD, and it has finally been announced for early 2004. Read more

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Geraldine Farrar in DeMille's "Carmen"
By 1915, Metropolitan Opera soprano, Geraldine Farrar, had an international reputation. DeMille, looking for the perfect vehicle to introduce her to the screen, had to look no further than one of her mostsuccessful stage roles--Carmen. In fact, by 1915 Farrar had alreadyundertaken the role at the Met opposite none other than Enrico Caruso (whoalso sang opposite Farrar in the first American "MadamaButterfly" at the Met in 1908). Met Opera Star Farrar in DeMille's Carmen
By 1915, Metropolitan Opera soprano, Geraldine Farrar, had an international reputation. DeMille, looking for the perfect vehicle to introduce her to the screen, had to look no further than one of her mostsuccessful stage roles--Carmen. In fact, by 1915 Farrar had alreadyundertaken the role at the Met opposite none other than Enrico Caruso (whoalso sang opposite Farrar in the first American "MadamaButterfly" at the Met in 1908).Read more

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The Ceremony of Innocence
Perhaps this film of Benjamin Britten's opera will be on DVD soon.It's the best of Peter Weigl's films of the five that I've seen, and the other four are already available in that format.Like those, 'The Turn of the Screw' is filmed in completely naturalistic settings, and actors replace the singers for the visual portion.It takes awhile to become accustomed to people in elaborate costumes running around the stately home singing the dialogue.The beauty of the scenery makes up for that, and the grossly phallic summer house adds a hint of how Weigl wants to interpret this opera. An extraordinary, beautifully acted and sung rendition
Filmed in Czechoslovakia, with a cast that seems perfectly suited physically to the James' novel's descriptions, Turn of the Screw has the added advantage of Britten's "regulars" (Peter Pears et al)providing the music to which the actors flawlessly lipsynch. The atmosphereevoked visually and musically does full service to both the intricacies andshading of the opera, and to the psychological ambiguities of the plot andcharacters. Truly one of the best filmed, sung, and acted opera videos inrecent memory. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

It would be hard to imagine a better performance of Donizetti's comic masterpiece. If there was one role that ideally suited Luciano Pavarotti's voice and stage personality, it was Nemorino, the impoverished and not-very-bright peasant who worships the village's prettiest and richest young woman from a distance, is swindled by a traveling vendor of "miracle" medicines, but wins her hand by dumb luck. The story has comedy, pathos, and a put-down of Wagner's Read more

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Reviews (17)

The Music is the Thing
Pavarotti voice flows through this great music. The kudos for both incredible voice AND saucy acting goes to the lovely Kathleen Battle, ever so spoiled in her role and generous with her upper register. Most funny was Dara as the doctor, I never doubted him for a moment. Luciano, for me, sometimes seems to be winking at us self-consciously, like this is not really me, see me act like a country peasant. Then his great and extended voice grabs me and I feel honored to be in the presence of his singing and Donizetti's music. Afterwards, I felt what a great night at the opera! I'm going back again.

Best Opera DVD ever!
This DVD is a must-have for every opera lover. Shows Pavarotti and Battle at their best on a Donizetti masterpiece. Music is wonderful and delightful to our senses, leting us enjoy every second of the show. Extraordinary!!

Excellente
This is probably the greatest opera production I have ever seen. The singing is first rate quality. Everyone is in fine voice and with this being an opera buffa the singers are throughly enjoying themselves. I would recommend this as an introduction to opera for anyone and for opera fans alike get this one. Mind you there are some flaws with the overall productions like Italians flags waving around when in truth Donizetti never was around for the establishing of an Italian country so that was totally out of place. (I have noticed that the Met has this annoying habit of throwing in flags of today in opera setting of centuries ago)Also there is Pavarotti wearing a green hospital band on his hand. However, this is opera and opera is about singing and I assure you that great singing is what you get in this production. Buy it!!!! WONDERFUL!!! Bravissimo!!!! ... Read more

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A bright star in her early days
This is the video that influenced me as a performer more than anything else I had ever seen or heard. That liquid golden voice! That beautiful face! My God, that dress--it's hideous! But, who cares. Kiri could perform in a burlap sack and people would still love her. This art song recital is superb. She once again delivers gorgeous singing from beginning to end. Some might say there's nothing else besides beautiful sound; I say, give me something nice to listen to and let me use the text and my imagination. ... Read more

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Editorial Review

A favorite of many Gilbert & Sullivan aficionados, Read more

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You may as well.
In discussing this BBC/PBS series--conceived to take all of Gilbert and Sullivan and get it over with--many reviewers fault the diction of the casts, but the obscurity is not their fault.The sound is simply not up to basic professional standards.The orchestral music, naturally offstage, is all very well; but, tragically, in this series, whenever anybody turns his head, takes a step either side, or stays where he is when somebody else walks away, he may as well be talking into a barrel. Or singing into one, which of course is even more disappointing.
Would have been 1 star without Anne Collins
Skip it.It falls on its own flat feet.Get the brilliant Douglas/Olsen/Warlow Australian Opera production instead. It's a live on-stage performance and hysterically perfect!

Very good traditional Gilbert & Sullivan
This is a very good and very traditional production of Patience. The singing is very good, the costumes & staging are very good, and were it not for the poor diction of some of the singers which makes the words hard to understand, I would have rated it 5 stars. ... Read more

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Magnificent !
I am not very fond of opera but Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni is simply fantastic. I have seen this opera performed in Ribeir�o Preto, Brazil and I loved it. Then I decided to buy this video, with the opera recorded in Siena, Italy. Shirley Verrett as Santuzza is terrific. One of the best performance I have ever seen in my life. The orchestra is also wonderful. This video is one of my favorite ones and I recommend it. ... Read more

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Dame Joan explains Barber of Seville & Lucia di Lammermoor
Soprano Joan Sutherland introduces parents and children alike to a pair of famous operas, Rossini's "The Barber of Seville" and Donzetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor," in this third volume in the "Who's Afraid of Opera" series.Costumed as the characters of first Rosina and then Lucia, the diva explains the plot of each opera and sings some highlights, aided and abetted in this effort by her three puppet friends: Sir William the Goat, his nephew Little Billy and Lion Rudy.This is my favorite volume in the series because Dame Joan gets to talk about her most famous operatic role as Lucia, although I have to admit I was always surprised that this particular one was deemed appropriate as family fare; after all, Lucia is forced to abandon the love of her life to marry some rich guy to help her brother pay off family debts and then she kills the groom on the wedding night, goes insane, sings a couple of glorious arias, and then drops dead.Not even the comedy of "The Barber of Seville" can really balance out this particular pair of operas.It has been more than a quarter of a century since these programs were produced, and they still retain their charm. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Childrens    2. Classical    3. Classical Artists    4. Performing Arts    5. Performing Arts - Opera