Editorial Review

When New York theatrical producer Joseph Papp decided to bringGilbert and Sullivan to Broadway, he added typically broad, bold strokes to maketheir singular operetta format meaningful to 1980s audiences.In Read more

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Reviews (95)

Simply Fantastic
This has to be the most wonderful musical ever.My family has worn out so many tapes, we can't wait for it to finally come out in DVD.I would recommend this to anyone who loves music and comedy.Children absolutely are fascinated with all of the dancing and love to sing along.Everyone should experience this once.
Best Gilbert and Sullivan!!!
I first saw this version as a child when it originally came out and I really am dissappointed that I can't own it yet!!! It is one of my favorite operas and I think the version with Angela Lansbury is the best!!! You would think that with all of these known actors that this film would be on DVD. It has always been a favorite and really helped open the door to music as a child!
An Absolute Favorite!
I love Gilbert & Sullivan and I love The Pirates of Penzance. I have the Broadway version (Kevin Kline, Linda Ronstadt) on DVD, however, this movie version will always be my favorite. I really wish they would produce a DVD. Please??????
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Subjects:  1. Filmed Stage Plays    2. Musical Features    3. Musicals    4. Musicals & Cast Recordings    5. Musicals (Theatrical)    6. Pop   

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Reviews (16)

I wish I could rate this movie 10 stars!
Naughty Marietta, winning the Oscar for Best Sound Recording in 1935, is the crown jewel of the Eddy/MacDonald films, holding a special place in anyone's heart that has ever had the pleasure of seeing it. It is esteemed as one of the best-loved operettas of all time, and that's saying a lot about this film. This is a Great Movie!
This was my first 'old' movie and I thought that it was certianly one of the best ones I have seen. Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy make the perfect team in this film as they combine their superb talent of singing and comedy. The music in 'Naughty Marietta' is beautiful. Also, the plot is interesting and even a little bit funny.I would definatley reccomend this to anyone, either young or old.

Simply Perfect
One of the two greatest "operetta" films (MAYTIME being THE greatest) ever made.Jeanette - and the entire production - is radiant and, of course, the singing is both fun and magnificent at the same time, culminating in that most glorious moment at the Governor's ball.Simply perfect. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Musicals    3. Musicals & Cast Recordings   

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   

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 (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   

Editorial Review

In 1989 when this production was taped, Luciano Pavarotti and MirellaFreni had already enjoyed long, distinguished careers. In other words, they wereconsiderably older than Read more

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• Original recording reissued
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Reviews (9)

Happy Birthday MIMI
Today I received this in the mail. It arrived on Mirella Freni's 71st birthday. So I did watch it and really enjoyed it. I'm a really big Freni fan and enjoy her in this role. I like the Karajan one from the 60's better,but this one has better sound. I own the Pavarotti with Scotto one, which is also excellent and the one from Austrailia, both fine additions to any collection. However, Karajan was right when he told Mirella Freni that she was Mimi. So Happy Birthday Mirella Freni. You have been a great gift to the opera world. You are Mimi.

Heartbreaking!
Anyone who has read my reviews knows that I am the biggest Freni fan imaginable.She does not disappoint me here.Yes, at this stage, her voice is a size too large for Mimi, more suitable for heavy verismo such as Tosca, Fedora and Manon Lescaut.The voice is far heavier than in her two previous studio recordings from the 60's and 70's.The vibrato is also a trifle wider than it was but all this is amply excused by her warmth and mature insight into the role.The tragedy of Mimi has never before been so heartfully portrayed.The emotions are stronger than before and by the end of the opera she totally hits her stride and a quarter of a century melts away.This is a must for all Freni fans. Pavarotti and Freni pretending to be bohemians
One thing I find dissapointing in many Pavarotti opera productions is that everything seems to be adapted for Pavarotti instead of Pavarotti being adapted for the plot (or the music). Everyone knows who is the star, there is no Rodolfo in Paris having a romance with a ill-fated girl; it's just Pavarotti with a wig pretending he is still able to sing a good Rodolfo and some other singers trying not to distract us. Excellent Freni does awful singing in this production and her overacting ruins her singing many times. ... Read more

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

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Reviews (7)

A wonderful "experience"
Today when every advertiser and newscaster is talking about "experiences," I'm reluctant to use the word.Berne wrote of a patient in his group who when she was new in the group went to the hospital to have an "obstetrical experience."The 2nd time, she went to have a baby.But this was a total, whole and glorious experience.It was a class act all the way.It was a quality production from every angle except a somewhat disinterested chorus.I like operas where the chorus is as excited and enthusiastic and involved as the leads.Alas, not in this one. Norma is the role Callas was born to play.That and Medea.Sutherland is too nice.But by god she brings it off!Elkins' voice (and she's no mean coloratura herself) blended so well with Sutherland in their several duets that I never wanted them to stop.I thought the only Bellini opera I liked was I Capuleti.Sigh.Well, after this, I'm going looking for DVDs of Puritani and Somnambula with Sutherland if I can find versions sans Pavarotti.(I'm sorry he's sick, he meant a lot to millions all over the world, but I just can't take that voice.)The sets are simple to the point of simplistic, and the children looked like they were having a great time and their movements were by the numbers which detracted from the "realism" of the play.Pollione had a wonderful voice and his face registered emotion convincingly, as did Norma's maid's.The lyrics were coloquial, and if there were anyone around who could write poetry and music (there isn't), could have been written today.I highly recommend this opera.It is glorious!Beautiful!One note on another reviewer.Bellini, Donizetti and early Verdi (Italian), and Thomas (French)are the greatest writers of bel canto I have ever heard.Also the only.And to belittle Bellini (who died very young) for what he did write, and then compound the maligning by saying that if he had lived he MIGHT have become another Verdi is just dumb.In the first place they aren't a bit alike.And in the 2nd, Bellini was a fully mature spirit, talent, genius before he ever died, which as I said he did pathetically too soon.As for the companion piece released I think the same time as Norma, Lakme, I bought that too (and got them for $10 apiece from an Amazon seller) and am going to throw it away.God it's an awful bore.Except the beautiful female duet (which is badly done in that version - weak, faint) and the Bell Song (which I didn't stay tuned long enough to hear, shut the stupid thing off after an hour, plus I don't like the Bell Song anyway, I think it's weird, though I've heard Sutherland sing it and she does an exquisite job with it), sigh except these 2 pieces, there simply is no music in it.Oh, there are staves and key signatures and clef signs and notes and rests and dynamics, but there's no music.According to Bonynge, it's Delibes only successful opera and it was never very popular.I can well understand why.Oh.Also according to Bonynge (or Sutherland, I forget which), Sutherland studied Norma 10 years before performing it on stage.And her first trial with it had Callas as Norma, my guess is Sutherland played Aldagisa, it had to have been that role, but sigh I don't know.I love this DVD and as another reviewer said, her voice was in perfect shape.The other leads were also excellent.Hell, everyone was excellent!

Casta diva
First off, regarding the other reviewer's questions, no, his copy was not an anomaly, the sound quality is very inconsistent on this release, requiring the viewer to constantly fiddle with the volume, a major annoyance to be sure. But this is not the first time I have encountered this problem with productions from the '70's, and it in no way justifies a one star rating. Do I wish the sound quality were better? Absolutely. But am I glad I purchased the DVD despite its shortcomings? You bet. The performances are more than enough to counterbalance this flaw, particularly the performance of Joan Sutherland, the star of this(and any) show.
Caveat Emptor (Or Is My Copy An Atypical, Individually Defective DVD?
Although the title role of "Norma" was the greatest one in Dame Joan's repertoire, few even of her most ardent fans (and I'm one) would maintain she gave her greatest performances in it.That honor is usually reserved for her roles in "Lucia," "Semiramide," or "Lucrezia Borgia." Nevertheless, hers was a supremely listenable, often beautifully sung Norma, and therefore, when she was in good voice, a memorable one.
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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 (5)

Dialogues des Carmelites
Joan is breathtaking.This opera is a beautiful and tragic story and it is wonderful to have a resource available in English.
Filme Version of Dialogues
Hi there I am Adriano the Swiss conductor. I have a copy of this classical movie of 1960. NO LIBRETTO OR SUB-TITLES - PITY
It would have been 5 Stars if a Libretto was supplied with the DVD or if it had optional sub-titles. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Most opera houses ring in the New Year with Johann Strauss Jr.'s most popular operetta--the festiveness of which is appropriate for the occasion--and this December 31, 1983, Covent Garden performance follows suit. An exceptional cast--led by Hermann Prey and Kiri Te Kanawa as the couple whose marriage survives the comic indiscretions of three long acts--obviously has as much fun as the audience. Plácido Domingo leads the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House through its paces with panache. Prince Orlofsky's Act II party is always a splendid opportunity to pull out all the stops with surprise "guests," and this performance makes the most of its chance: entering the proceedings to sing one of his tailor-made chansons, "She," is French crooner Charles Aznavour, who is followed by dancers Merle Park and Wayne Eagling, their delightful pas de deux flashily choreographed by Sir Frederick Ashton. Read more

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Reviews (20)

It Has Some Sparkle
The first and third acts are both delightful, the second act is where I had a problem. Whereas the first and third acts followed the score fairly closely, the second act is greatly expanded with specialty performances that vary considerably in their ability to communicate. On repeated viewings, I found it increasingly easy to fast forward over several of the added performances. Such is the beauty of the DVD.
An Outstanding, Clever, Funny Production of Die Fledermaus
Johan Strauss II didn't get his reputation as Vienna's Waltz King for sitting around eating strudel mit shlag. He wrote glorious melodies...waltzes, polkas, mazurkas...that set people to dancing and smiling. His music still does.
Fun opera for everyone to enjoy
I grew up in an opera household but didn't get the opera bug like my parents. This is one opera that I did enjoy growing up because it is lighthearted and very easy to follow.This DVD version does include subtitles.The cast is great and the voices all blend nicely.Really, if you are starting on opera and don't want to get into the "heavy hitters" first like Wagner, try this one.You'll find yourself smiling when you watch it and humming some of the music afterwards. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

One of the more obscure Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, Read more

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Reviews (9)

Princess Ida
I had not seen this one before.I was buying it blind.I took a chance and it paid off.We enjoy Gilbert and Sullivan and love the stage setting.

A charming, lovely "Princess Ida"
"Princess Ida" is certainly one of the least known of the Savoy Operas.The problem is that you have some of Sullivan's most delicious music wedded with one of Gilbert's weakest and most dated libretti. To be honest, I was not looking forward to watching this production.In the main, the Brent Walker series can be pretty painful for the dedicated Savoyard; and I figured the "Ida" would be a total disaster. If you give me your attention . . .
. . . I will tell you what I think of this DVD.Read more

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

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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   

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

Dvorák's fairytale fantasy about a water nymph who falls in love with a mortalprince and becomes an unhappy human has done well in Czech opera housesbut not (until now) with English-speaking audiences. This 1986 production, sung inEnglish, takes liberties with the plot but does justice to the exquisitemusic. The recording's beauty and emotional impact justify David Poultney'sdaring, highly symbolic treatment of the story. There is no other opera videoremotely like this one. Read more

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Reviews (8)

Great Music but...
I bought this because I love Dvorak, and know little or nothing about his operas...I confess I began to watch it without reading the plot synopsis...tried to figure out what was going on without it...I think it's a reasonable expectation that one should be able to understand the plot that way.So...what's with this girl in the swing, and the pond in the middle of the bedroom floor?OK...it's a modern interpretation...oh, she's a water nymph, and she's sitting in a tree. It's not that her bedroom has flooded; it's a woodland pond.Sigh. I hate these modern versions--a fairy tale should be a fairy tale, and in the case of an opera like this, which is not as well known as most, most viewers will (like me) never have seen it before, so why not go with a real tree, a pond, etc.?This modern nonsense spoils it. Can we expect to see Hansel and Gretel set in the South Bronx? Also, I agree with others...just because it's sung in English (why on earth?) doesn't mean it doesn't need subtitles.I can only catch about half of the words.The music is great, and the singing is OK (the prince is too old and too fat to be her love object), but overall it's a disappointment

Original, evocative concept, very well performed
Yes, as everyone else says this is not the quaint fairy tale that Dvorak envisioned (and it is sung in sometimes garbled English), but it is an original and terribly moving evocation of a similar story--an unusual, different sort of being (a wood nymph in the original, here a young adolescent) who longs for a perfect, "normal" relationship and is left tragically betrayed and alone, if loved very briefly.The staging is starkly modern and at the same time Victorian (it makes Robert Carsen's Paris production with Fleming look very derivative); the singing is always heartfelt and impressive, although Rusalka (Hannan) has a few weak moments especially in act 2.The orchestral sound is generally good although the winds are at times strangely wobbly.But the final effect of this version of a quintessential romantic score is a revelation of deep human meaning that most traditional productions have not touched (including the Met one).Beautifully filmed.

Unintelligible
Performance was not bad, but why in the world go to the trouble of translating the libretto into English? I didn't understand much more than if it had been in Czech with NO subtitles. Putting it in English also distorts Dvorak's musical phrasing. I guess I missed the small print on this one.... if I had known there were no subtitles I would not have purchased it and I'm sure Amazon won't take it back for that reason. ... 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)

Perfection
Carreras' Chenier is the only one I've seen on video, but I'm not going to ch