Editorial Review

Tuneful and atmospheric, Read more

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Reviews (10)

Best in the series
This is by no means a perfect performance, but I consider it the best of the series.It is intact, excepting small (though funny) parts of the dialogue and the second verse of Antonio's song ("For the Merriest Fellows are We").The singers, I thought, were all quite serviceable and well cast.The worst problem, as with all of the Brent Walker G&S videos, is overacting, cheap sets, and bad camera work.However, those iniquities are less in this one and it is quite serviceable.It captures the spirit of the opera, at least, and we are not left to groan over bad acting and singing as we are in the other videos.
Amazing!
The Gondoliers is one of G&S's greatest works and having just wrapped on The Gondoliers myself playing Gianetta, I found this production extremely enjoyable. With the exception of a few casting mistakes (The Duke and perhaps Casilda), I fully commend Opera World this time. They nailed the rest of the characters and cast them correctly (Michell (Don Alhambra), McDonnell (Giuseppe), Egerton (Marco), and Christie (Gianetta)) and even though the staging and technical stuff was not at it's best, the actors had enough energy and brilliance to their performance that the poor filming was masked. Great fun. If you are a G&S lover, this is a must-see.

"On some points rather sore, but on the whole, delightful."
I recently worked with a local Gilbert and Sullivan theater company to put on "The Gondoliers," and it has been interesting to compare the live show with this particular film production. Opera World has done a surprisingly good job with this low-budget version; while the sound quality is still poorer than could be wished, the choreography and filming are infinitely better than those used in their disastrous rendition of "HMS Pinafore." Particularly outstanding are the performances of Don Alhambra (Keith Michell) and Marco (Francis Egerton). Michell's soft-voiced Alhambra is an interesting contrast to our own bellowing and confused one, and his cold condescension contrasts well with the boisterous Gondoliers and their wives; while Marco has less to do and say in the operetta than his brother Giuseppe, his incredible facial expression and quirky additions (such as the rose between the teeth during the Cachucha in Act II) give him at least as much on-screen presence. Giuseppe (Tom McDonnell) comes off as somewhat stiff and ill at ease during the first act, but begins to settle into his role during his aria "Rising Early in the Morning." The sound and choreography flag somewhat during the Duke's song "In Enterprise of Martial Kind," but are made up for in full by the charming Gavotte in Act II. Casilda and Luiz aren't given much to do, but they make the most of their time on screen with the lovely duets "O Rapture! When Alone Together" and "There Was a Time."Read more

Subjects:  1. Performing Arts - Opera   

Editorial Review

For its 1973 production of Wagner's intense romantic tragedy Read more

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Reviews (25)

You can't ignore the awful quality.
Other reviewers have commented on the low audio and video quality of this recording, but maintained that the performance is worth it. I envy their tolerance. This is quite frankly the worst video recording of an opera that I've ever seen.
Despite some technical flaws, the best Tristan on video
If you are looking for a Tristan video with state-of-the-art sound, a sumptuous production, and great picture quality, this is not the video for you. Although made in 1973, the sound is very poor -- the singers sound for some reason pretty distant. There are also occasional dropouts in sound. If you have trouble hearing Birgit Nilsson, you KNOW you're in trouble! I fixed this by turning up the volume on my TV. The video was also filmed live in Orange, which is an outside amphitheater. The sets therefore are extremely spare. To be precise, it's little more than a large circle stage, with two ascending staircases, and lighting effects to imply scene changes. For instance, during the first act, which takes place on a ship, the lighting is filled with blues to imply (get it?) the sea waves. The costumes are also extremely spare, without anything to suggest a princess (for Isolde) and a warrior (for Tristan). If ever a production was "minimalist" this is it. The only are where no expenses were spared were, unfortunately, the wigs. Birgit is wearing a black helmet wig, and King Marke is in a truly ridiculous wavy/curly silver wig with a matching beard.
This One's A Document In The Fab Careers Of Vickers and Nilsson
Filmed live at the Theater Antique D'Orange, France in the summer of 1974, this Tristan And Isolde is of particular significance to fans of its lead tenor/soprano pair - Jon Vickers and Birgit Nilsson, who by this time in their career had garnered fame and fans. Just look at how vast that audience is, seemingly thousands of people are in that amphitheater, and all of them there to watch this amazing pair! If only I had been around to see them that night myself but I'm only 18. This DVD is not out yet but it's to be released in Italy and Amazon.com, though this DVD is already out for American audiences on DVD and available on Amazon.com in another format. I'd like to analyze what I like and don't like about this DVD so as to get you interested in the DVD or make you think twice, whichever is your decision.
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Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Movie    3. Music Video    4. Opera/Operetta    5. Performance    6. Performing Arts - Opera   

Editorial Review

Offenbach's operetta Read more

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Reviews (6)

Fresh comedy and cheerful melodies
In the event you would wish to watch something very light, fresh, cheerful and relaxing in dvd form available operetes, then this may be your choice which you can enjoy until the end.
Zurich Opera House is so mediocre...to do with the audience?
This production is tres epatant for all the bankers and industrialists and moribund widows of Zurich on a Saturday night but is overblown, silly and distracts from the music. E Schmarre as the Swiss would say. Like all the productions - yes I mean ALL - at the world's most expensive but most bland Opera House the combination of must-be-Swiss chorus, players and above all audience reduces even the music to occasional jolliness but no thrills and even less magic.The best thing to do with this is to turn it on for the music and don't look. Also don't listen too hard to the Francais Federal. Ugly! For real opera go to the cheapest seats in Vienna, New York, London, Berlin or Milan. Never be tempted into the horrid Zurich opera house. Not even to the front row.

Delicious Work Masterfully Performed
It is so rare to see an Offenbach operetta performed today that, if nothing else, this is worth the price for the sake of curiosity. It happens to be a delightful work (much of it used in Rosenthal's ballet arrangement "Gait� Parisienne"). The text is insouciant and witty, and the music sparkles. The beautiful Zurich Opera cast from strength: Vasselina Kassarova as H�l�ne is a delight. She also happens to be one of the pre-eminent artists of our time, a mezzo of radiant voice, temperament, splendid technique, with rare coloratura skills. Mr. van der Walt whose name looks Dutch sounds like a French tenor of old, a light but carrying sound, full of color, with heady top notes and truly elegant musical artistry. The supporting cast is all superb, with exact singing and plenty of joie. Nikolaus Harnoncourt, so long associated with Zurich in Monteverdi and Mozart does wonders for Offenbach. It is my understanding that 19th century instruments were used. The clarity, color, inflections he gets from his orchestra are astonishing. His inner drive, rubato, his sheer joy of music making comes through in every bar of the score. It is indeed a pleasure to see this conductor whom I first encountered in ascerbic albeit moving, austere performances of Bach Cantatas and Passions, making such successful excursions into the romantic theatre repertoire. I hope he has more up his sleeve. Get this DVD..... you'll go back to it. By the way, the production is nothing special but the acting is invariably good, with excellent rapport within the ensemble. It looks well directed. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

This is not strictly Verdi's Read more

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Reviews (18)

My first and favorite Otello
First things first, I love Katia Ricciarelli and Placido Domingo. They are my two favorite opera singers ever. That being said, I can't say anything bad about them!!
A good film totally ruined by the Director.
This film is not for Opera funs especially for connoisseurs of Verdi's Otello. Franco Zeffirelli simply presents his own version of the Opera and NOT VERDI'S. The film starts brilliantly with Otello's ship in the high seas in a most spectacular storm. Problems begin as soon as Otello lands in Cyprus. (Cyprus by the way and not Venice! as mentioned at the back of the DVD by some inexcusably ignorant person). Music from a ballet score that Verdi had written for Paris emerges instead of the expected chorus. The rest of the act is fine except for the fact that Otello points to the stars (the Pleiades) at Desdemona inside his bedroom (where she can see no stars) and two minutes later he takes Desdemona on the harbour for a walk (where she could see the stars) but it is later on the score, so the point is missed. The problems really start from act 2. After Iago's credo, which by the way is very well done, Zeffirelli cuts the famous duet between Otello and Iago (I like that not!) and then alters the sequence of the music in a most indescribable way.From there on we are watching a version of the Opera by Zeffirelli and not Verdi. I bought the Opera for Verdi, thank you very much. No wonder that the great conductor Carlos Kleiber who led the same principals at La Scala, Covent Garden and the Metropolitan Opera, refused to be associated with this film.
Great Period....And It's A Movie After All.......
Here's the bottom line: Zefferelli made the lengthy Verdi opera into a 2 hour mainstream movie. It will always be more a movie than a traditional opera. A stage version can run up to 3 hours and in the case of Wagner's Gotterdammerung 6 hrs. A movie is limited in time. Zefferelli' intentions are noble. He wishes to get audiences turned on to opera, through the seductive medium of visual cinematography and powerful Oscar-worthy drama. The omissions in this film do not minimize the plot and the spirit of the work is never sacrificed. Even Shakespeare himself would be proud of this version. Think of it as a highlights of Verdi's opera, too. Do we really need Desdemona's pretty little "Willow Song" ? Its omission does not take away from the power of the drama. And so what if there is new additional dance music. It's appropriate for the feast scenes. And the Overture during the closing credits is nothing to fear. From the opening scene of the sea storm, to the doubts of seeds planted by interludes between Cassio and Desdemona, to the lower levels of the castle where Iago plots and rages against God, to the sumptuous feasts, to the grim finale, this is the best Otello ever made.
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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 (1)

THE definitive Pagliacci!
Okay, it's not the perfect video; despite my 5-star rating, I want to make that clear. It's black and white; the voice dubbing is often out of synch; the English subtitles disappear altogether for long stretches. I can see how these and other issues related to the film's age could mar the experience for some viewers.
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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    3. Opera/Operetta    4. Performing Arts - Opera   

Editorial Review

An uneasy cross between a movie and a theater production, this version of Gilbert and Sullivan's masterpiece Read more

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Reviews (10)

Tsk-tsk to the naysayers
If you like the music and lyrics of The Mikado, this version is excellent.All of the main characters are brilliantly portrayed, including Ko-ko, Nanki-Poo, Poo-bah and Yum yum. William Conrad's voice is borderline, but his acting is fine. This DVD would be a bargain at twice the price.

A surprising production
Who would have believed that Cannon or the Fat Man could carry a tune, but William Conrad isn't too bad.He may never win a Grammy, but in this production of the Operetta, he does quite a decent job.Even if you are not a fan of Opera, Gilbert and Sullivan is still easy to enjoy because their storylines are not as depressing as regular operas. Also, the English dialogue makes the story much more accessible to a wider audience.I look forward to the release of Pirates of Penzance, Linda Ronstadts version, of course, so that I can have two very enjoyable muscials available any time I wish.The productions may not be Hollywood lavish, but they are effective and entertaining.

Glorious voices and good comedy
Refer to the reviews that actually review instead of talking about their feelings, and my opinions are similar. The Opera World version of The Mikado is one of the picks of that series and infinitely better than any other version I've seen - and that would be just about all of them. We have excellent casting in most of the named parts except for William Conrad, whose elfin take on the part is cute but who manages to only barely hold on to the notes. But every time I watch, I catch another little nuance in facial expressions (watch for Peep Bo's sly little looks). And, best of all, the glorious voices of Nanki-Poo (John Stewart) and Yum Yum (Kate Flowers)! If I could find any thing else with Mr. Stewart's voice I'd snap it up in a heartbeat! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Performing Arts - Opera   

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Reviews (2)

Very Very Fine.
This video is really quite good. It does not have subtitles, but I still love it. Actually it is a little good that it doesn't have subtitles, because if a video in another language does have subtitles, then you'd be looking at the subtitles the whole time instead of the movie. Horst Gebhart is a good Tomino,& has a beautiful tenor voice. Dieter Scholtz is a good Papagano, Has a good baritone voice,is a great actor, & looks good for the part(even though he looks a little stout). I really like the bass voice of Hermann Chistian Polster as Sarastro. All of the rest of the cast is good. The only costumes that I don't like are the three laidies' costomes. They look like Japanese women with dyed hair, & green, or purple dresses. But don't let that discourage you out of getting this video. You probably won't want this video if it is the first version you see, because it has no subtitles, but if you have seen others, or you speak a little German, then this is the version for you!if you try to remember the translation from the Ingmar Bergman version, then you probably should get another version, because in the Bergman version, they cut out scenes, & the translation is different from the real thing.

Beautiful and well sung
This is a beautiful production.The sets are amazing and the cast is wonderful.The Tamino is one of the best I have ever seen.The only problem with this production is it has no subtitles. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

John Gay's Read more

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Reviews (9)

RETRAIN ME BACK!
This is an excellent show.I first saw it on PBS.Roger does a great job, not what you would expect.The fun back story is that Roger had to be classically trained to do this part and when he was done, he found he couldn't perform 'Who' music.He went back to the vocal coach in a panic and he 'retrained' Roger to go back to singing in a 'rock' voice.He was fine then, once he would scream properly!
Gritty Beggar's Opera On the Whole a Success
To those reviewers who long for the Olivier version and who think of The Beggar's Opera through the charming lens of the 1920s revival: Gay would be spinning in his grave if he ever heard someone use the word "romantic" in conjunction with his acid little play.I know that the play took on a life of its own, and was revived virtually every season throughout the 18th century, but let's not forget that he was out to write a scathing satire of the political and social corruptions of his day: the very idea of having a beggar write an "opera" for the marriage celebration of two catch-singers seemed so outrageous that the audience wasn't sure whether or not to boo it offstage until the middle of the first act.Audiences in 1728 loved it because it ridiculed rich and powerful political figures while it skewered the pretensions of Italian opera and opera-singers; audiences afterwards got charmed by the songs and by the mythology of its characters, as the play lost its immediate topical sting.
(none)
A very good preduction overall if not slightly 'uncut'...however, all those other reviewers who say that the olivier version has 'disapeared' should try looking on the amazon.co.uk website where it is available on either region 2 dvd or PAL video. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

For those who want a home video that preserves the kind of treatmentVerdi's Read more

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Reviews (18)

A great Otello with a weak link
Verdi's "Otello" is one of the greatest 19th century operas. If in "Regoletto" the revolutionary idea of music drama was still in its initial stage, then in "Otello" Verdi, at seventy-three years of age, had fully realized the idea. Shakespeare's drama Othello couldn't be a better subject to develop a music drama, and Arrigo Boito's libretto was created for Verdi's miraculous music power. The grip is on right from the extraordinary beginning storm scene, and continuously the drama goes non-stop till the last note of the opera. Little will you hear the enchanting tunes that were abundant in earlier Verdi operas. In "Otello" music embraces the libretto as a whole, vitality and power emerges from within.
Splendid
This is a rather traditional, if spare, presentation of Verdi's masterpiece with a superb cast.Domingo and Te Kanawa are at their peak and both sing and act magnificently.The real surprise for me was Leiferkus, whom I have seen in person in the past and have not enjoyed; here, however, he is absolutely marvelous.In short, you can't go wrong with this DVD, which should make a fine companion piece to the later film of Domingo and Fleming at the Met. And how poignant it is to see Lady Diana applauding from the audience during the curtain call.

Otello Supreme
There are so many wonderful facets to this version of Verdi's Otello, and once you see it there will be no doubt in your mind that it's easily the best production out.
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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)

gift of magi
was looking for a movie, of the same thing This is a 45 minute Television Program from Finland
This video is an adaptation of the O'Henry story in which a poor married couple have two prized posessions, the husband's (Joel) attractive heirloom watch and the wife's (Minna) uncut hair.At Christmas, neither has the money to buy what they think their partner deserves, so Minna sells her hair to buy a watch chain for her husband and Joel sells his watch so he can get Minna combs for her hair.The music is interesting to listen to and the singing is difficult but well done.The production is well done with excellent camera work.On the other hand, the basic plot is well presented but the complications of a number of added characters and recurrent figures will no real role in the action seems an unnecessary elaboration.The change of scene from a low class NY apartment to a town in Finland is okay but does change the flavor from the original story.There is a brooding quality about the whole production that seems to impart a strange quality to what is essentially a simple story.I found this interesting but not a video I will watch frequently.Perhaps it conveys the spirit of Christmas and Christmas giving but this is not obvious.

the gift of magi
was a great story we saw it a few yrears back and ordered one for ourselfBUT!!!!! it was a in subtitles we sent itback still lookingfor the one in english ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

This is a 1998 performance from the Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg,of the original 1862 St. Petersburg version of Verdi's Read more

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Reviews (6)

The Force Is With Us!
The original Marinsky Forza is presented in a new DVD under the brilliant baton of Valery Gergiev.This offering contains every jot of music that Verdi wrote for this unusual opera.It also contains many of the dramatic scenes cut from all productions of FORZA in recent times.Some of these scenes are a bit egrigious. Most shocking of these additions is the suicide by drowning of Don Alvaro.The three principals are splended in their energy and naturalistic perforemance.The tenor is a slavic version of a young Pavarotti.I would highly recommend this DVD!

Puzzling DVD
It is interesting to have available Verdi's first version of Forza, if only to realize how much stronger the opera became once revised.Textual differences have been described by other reviewers so there's no need to belabor points with which I'm in agreement.
A Spanish tragedy, Russian style
There are other DVD versions of 'Forza' that I would recommend over this one which is conducted by Valery Gergiev, namely the superb1958 performance that was recorded with Renata Tebaldi and Franco Corelli.However this 'Forza' has the original ending that Verdi wrote for the opera's premiere performance at St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Theatre in 1862.In fact, it is performed in that same theatre, and if there are times when you wish the tenor _would_ leap to his death in the last act, then this might be the version for you.Read more

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

Editorial Review

Mussorgsky died before finishing this epic treatment of the 17th-century clash between Russian conservatives (the boyars and the Orthodox "Old Believers") and the progressive, Westernizing reformers led by Peter the Great. Among the composers who have reworked and completed the material, Shostakovich and Stravinsky are the most convincing, and their work is used in Claudio Abbado's interpretation. His orchestra and singers rank with the world's best.Read more

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Reviews (9)

Well-thought Khovanshchina
Abbado is a strong Mussorgsky-champion.
A really great Opera.
Khovanshchina considered by many to be Mussorgsky's greatest work is grand opera in the greatest sense. There is ballet, huge choruses, and even a on-stage brass band (which sounded really good too).
Beware of the staging
I will make no comment on the music and singing (see one of the excellent books on that).I review this only to warn you of the absurd staging that does its best to ruin this beautiful opera.The dances especially are almost comical due to the attempt to modernize what is already a timely and timeless work of art. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

One of the most unjustly underrated Italian operas receives aproduction that should help correct that attitude. Read more

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Already an historical performance
It is going to be a long, a very long time indeed, before we see another Chenier to rival this fabulous 1985 Covent Garden performance. Domingo was in excellent voice, and he meets every vocal challenge with virile, golden tone. Even if he lacks that brilliant spinto of Corelli, he has what it takes for this formidable role. Of recent tenors none comes near. The rest of the cast is if anything, better. Anna Tomowa-Sintow, Karajan�s favourite soprano is a glorious Maddalena: full voiced, warm, compelling, she is quite simply extraordinary. Baritone Giorgio Zancanaro gives a master class on how to mould a phrase in the old Italian style. His big aria is delivered with the kind of musicianship not heard since the days of Amato and Battistini. A Brilliant Andrea Chénier
Umberto Giordano's most famous opera "Andrea Ch�nier" portrays the tragic fate of poet Andrea Ch�nier in the French Revolution. Setting the real-life figure as the lead character and with the poet singing his own verses, this verismo opera embraces the realism enthusiastically. Character Andrea Ch�nier is a romantic and idealistic poet, who loved his country ardently and faced his death heroically. It's a tenor's opera. You would think a lyric tenor would be most suitable for the character's poetry, if he could also bring off some great heroic moments in the big orchestration. In this 1985 production, Domingo rendered Andrea Ch�nier with a well-balanced poetry and heroism. He filled poet's big arias with rich lyricism, at times, intimate feelings, and yet, the big outbursts were all there. Domingo was well matched by the powerful-voiced Anna Tomawa-Sintov as Maddalena. In her dark and rounded voice, Anna Tomowa-Sintov sang the character strongly, although some delicacy and variety might make the role more interesting. Her "La mamma morta" was in no short of dramatic expressions in both the recitative-like passages and the emotional outbursts followed. Giorgio Zancanaro, who approached the revolutionary G�rard humanly, sang a wonderful "Nemico della patria", which won him a storm of applause from the audience. A Much Better Selection
Until recently (November 2003) the only DVD edition of Andrea Chenier was a 1975 film version with Franco Corelli in the title role.This one is much better.It is an excellent live production filmed at Covent Garden in 1985.It illustrates why the Royal Opera is one of the world's leading companies.Read more

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

Editorial Review

Claudio Abbado's 1982 performance of the Verdi Requiem with the LondonSymphony Orchestra and the Edinburgh Festival Chorus is not, perhaps, a classicin the league of the 1963 Carlo Maria Guilini recording, but it has a steely,controlling intelligence that never stands in the way of the work's passionateand ecstatic qualities. José Carreras's tenor voice was at that point in itsfullest bloom, and Ruggiero Raimondi's bass has a spine-tingling dark lyricismthat reminds us that the writing for bass here has much in common with possiblyhis greatest role, King Philip the Second in Read more

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Reviews (5)

A powerful performance
I don't know what I can say about this requiem that hasn't been said before..... It is a wonderful recording of Verdi's Requiem. What I especially like about this one is that the soloists