Editorial Review

Antonio Vivaldi was an important opera composer, with at least47 operas--and perhaps twice that many--to his credit. But he firstbecame known to modern audiences almost exclusively for hisinstrumental music. This unbalanced view does not mean that hisoperatic music is inferior to his concertos. It reflects insteadeconomic conditions (opera costs a lot more to produce thaninstrumental music) and major changes in the tastes of the operaaudience during the 19th century and much of the 20th.Read more

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Reviews (7)

Definitely a Baroque Masterpiece
Before I saw this work I didn't really care for Baroque opera. But since then I thought this was one of the best operas ever written. If you could compare it with food it would be dark chocolate. Vivaldi had good taste when it came to writing violin concerti but when it came to opera he was AWESOME!!! The other thing I like about this production is the performers. Marilyn Horne's voice is perfect for that sort of role. The other character that I like is Bradamante sung by Sandra Walker. I love her deep alto voice. Its definitely strong and flowing at the same time. I also like the stage set-up. The way that it transforms after each aria is awesome. I would definitely recommend this opera to any Baroque opera lover

Music to die for!
I love Vivaldi's music and was really looking forward to my first Vivaldi opera.Orlando Furioso did NOT disappoint! A stunning performance of a Baroque masterwork
This is a beautiful rare performance of one of many often- neglected Baroque masterworks.I found the production lively, faithful to the spirit of the piece.The costumes are stunningly beautiful and the arias are very well sung.Much has been said in praise of Marilyn Horne's performance so I will concentrate on Kathleen Kuhlmann's excellent performance as Alcina.Alcina's arias are among the most inspired in this work of so many inspired, moving arias and Kathleen Kuhlmann never fails to make of each a separate treat.She has great stage presence and is able to convey the idea that Alcina is in fact a very complex character: evil and selfish, yes, but also lonely and in desperate need of affection and therefore very vulnerable.Kuhlmann is also a very attractive woman, which is essential to the role."Orlando Furioso" is a strong reminder of what many of us have known all along: Baroque opera is a treasure house of extraordinary masterpieces which modern audiences still have to discover, from the great operas of Handel to the works of the very talented Italian composers, Vivaldi being the greatest of them. ... Read more

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Reviews (1)

Amateurish and disappointing
The only reason I am giving this video a two-star rating is that it offers the viewer a chance to see some priceless footage of such renowned operastars of the past as Tito Gobbi and Mario Del Monaco performing excerptsfrom roles they performed at the famous La Scala Opera House,in full makeupand costume,such as "Rigoletto" and "Otello".Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Movie    3. Opera/Operetta Collections    4. Performing Arts    5. Performing Arts - Opera   

Editorial Review

It would have been better, of course, if this 1984 production ofDonizetti's Read more

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Reviews (12)

Bland and boring
I've only watched/listened to the 1st 2 acts and the 1st scene of the 3rd (because I can't use my DVD player right now), and after listening (dozens of times) to the glorious 1984 CD of this with Sutherland, Ramey and Hadley, I was expectiving, anticipating something absolutely wonderful.But I was disappointed.The duets and ensemble numbers in the 2 acts I have gotten to see/hear so far are really great.But everything else makes me wonder which Donizetti wrote it.Actually I think this was his first hit and his coloratura writing really improved with time.Sutherland's voice was just fine, but there are more of her signature leaps at the ends of arias on the CDs than there are in this movie.In fact, I suppose the lesser number in the flick is more customary, and she just showed off on the CDs, but I lovedit because I love her and love hearing her do it.My only (ONLY) objection to this DVD (and why is it so different from the CDs???) is the music.It is flat and bland.It is dull.There is very little in it I would call coloratura-style singing.That of course turned out to be Donizetti's stock in trade, but there's very little in this to foreshadow what was to come.The singers all did wonderful jobs.The sets were skeletal.The costumes lush.Henry was skinny and Percy was plump.(There's a switch in history!)And whose stupid idea was it to pluck Henry's eyebrows and make him look like Mr. Spock without the ears?

Sutherland still absolutely breathtaking, BUT...
After obtaining a copy of Sutherland's DVD performance of Lucrezia Borgia (I gorgeous rendition-a must!) I just had to get this Anna Bolena. Of course there's a four year difference between performances, and I heard so many rumours and opinions regarding the decline in voice, and yes, inevitably you can notice the difference. But as far as I'm concerned she can still surprise today's singers who are in their prime. Her coloratura, runs, trills, everything...are still clean, tasteful, absolutely beautiful! Whats more, her Jane Seymour, Judith Frost, is fantastic, first in her scena duet with Henry, then with Anna Bolena herself in Act 3 scene 1. The costumes, sets great!
SUTHERLAND IS STILL SUTHERLAND
In a perfect world, there would have been a video "Anna Bolena" with Maria Callas, but with that out of the question, I find this Sutherland version quite good.True --- her voice is not what it would have been ten years earlier ------ but it's still an impressive instrument quite capable of commanding the role.Secondly, she sounds considerably better here than she does on the London studio recording of 1987 (recorded three years after this performance). The supporting cast here is excellent, the orchestra plays well for Bonynge, and the picture is pretty good. I'm a great Callas admirer, but I truly find Sutherland's contribution to the art of bel canto to be as basic and fundamental as was Callas'. This is an excellent "Anna Bolena" , and if there are those who have a problem with Sutherland's downward transposition of the final scene by a whole step, they should simply give this performance a pass.Personally, I'm glad that Sutherland took this role into her repertoire, even at thislate stage of her career. Is there any soprano out there today who could duplicate her accomplishment?If so, where are they?? ... Read more

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

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

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Reviews (1)

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Editorial Review

This 1947 curio, saluting and partly filmed at the New York Cityculturallandmark, begins with a shot of the building's exterior.Except that the"exterior" is a photograph with a dramatic yet distinctly ersatz night skyoptically sutured above it.In short, Edgar G. Ulmer, the poet of PovertyRow, is up to his usual tricks--wresting dynamic imagery out ofnext-to-nothing, even if Read more

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Reviews (8)

The Music is Good
You would not watch this for the plot or the acting;hammy is the word which springs to mind.But the live performances of conductors, musicians and singers now long dead are priceless and will be treasured by all thise who buy this DVD.

Carnegie Hall
Very nice! Great music! Story a little weak but he music sure does make up for it!

Classical Musicians and Singers only
The story is an embarrassment, unworthy to share time with the great singers and musicians contained within. Vaughn Monroe and Harry James do not belong in the film because they were given poor material to work with. The creators of this film did not know what they were doing in the popular music department, nor in the story department. I would never watch this entire film again. The non-James non-Monroe music is excellent, exciting and worth buying a DVD for, because then you can skip them and the "story" and be happy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Musicals    3. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    4. Opera/Operetta   

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Reviews (4)

Great singers in a truncated version-a tragedy
Roberta Knie, Jon Vickers and Maureen Forrester--A potentially unexcelled combination--Vickers and Knie in my opinion are about the best post World War ll team for Tristan and Isolde--Both Vickers and Knie have strong dramatic voices with beautiful lyrical qualities--They make the ideal Tristan/Isolde team --The tragedy is that the entire opera was not taped -It would have been the definitive Tristan. Knie reminds me of Frieda Leider a warm lyrical sounding dramatic soprano --- the perfect foil for Vickers who was the greatest Tristan of the last part of the 20th century with only Melchior as an equal. However, Vicker's insight,lyricism, accuracy, phrasing and insight both dramatically and intellectually carry the day.

Do not bother with this release
This DVD is touted as "Extended Scenes," however, what is given is not the video highlights but a narrated introduction to the opera.The failure to forewarn the purchaser of the fact that the DVD is narrated results in one's being shocked several minutes into the prelude when Wagner's magnificent score is overridden by the voice of Jon Vickers, beginning to explain the story.
A Wonderful Addition to the Library
Recorded for CBC in Montreal during a series of performances by the principals, it is a synopsis of the plot and excerpts of this great opera. Recorded in 1976, it captures everyone at the top of their form. Decker was terrific, Knie (an underrated Isolde) was in good form, as were Maureen Forrester and Bill Wilderman. Of course it is for Jon Vickers, arguably the greatest Tristan ever, that this DVD belongs in the library. Heroic, tender, delirious, all with a full throat wonder that is astounding. At a reasonable price, you won't be disappointed. ... Read more

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Editorial Review

This stylish 1991 production of Mozart's final opera is another triumphfrom England's Glyndebourne Festival. "Odd man out" among Mozart's stage works,Read more

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Reviews (5)

A gem of an opera. A gem of a production
My understanding is that Mozart began composing La Clemenza di Tito after he'd started The Magic Flute but finished Clemenza first, and that this is why there's disagreement over whether Clemenza or Flute is his last opera. No matter, we're just so fortunate that Mozart squeezed in this little opera seria gem before he died. Lean, with sublime vocal and instrumental music, and with forgiveness as its theme, Clemenza is very moving.
An object of unjust neglect
This is a beautiful opera, one that lovely melodies and a concise story line make easy to appreciate. To be fair, there are signs that Mozart was rushed. Some of the secondary arias are shorter than what's found in the great comedies. Many numbers lack the musical variety found in even lesser pieces from Figaro, Don Giovanni and such. This isn't to say those works are without baggage-they aren't. Masetto's aria (for instance) is a second rate song at best. Mostly though, more attention seems to have given to the supporting roles in the larger works. The original secco recitatives for this opera are a sore point as well. Mozart assigned the work to a pupil, probably Franz Anton S�ssmayr. They're a string of duds, and that's being nice. John Eliot Gardiner recorded Tito around the same time this production was filmed and trimmed most of them. The people in charge here found somebody who cared about what he was doing and paid to have a new set written. Minimilist production pales in comparison with others.
Sets and costumes are minimal, little more than limbo sets enhanced with lighting.Andrew Davis's conducting is slow paced, dry, lacking in nuance or excitement.Technical quality of picture and sound, however, are excellent.If you must have a DVD version of this opera, go ahead and purchase.Otherwise, better to wait for the filmed version, with the Wiener Philharmoniker, James Levine conducting, directed by Jean-Pierre Ponnelle. So much more exciting visually and musically, with principals Tatiana Troyanos, Carol Neblett, Catherine Malfitano, Anne Howels, Eric Tappy and Kurt Rydl.Hopefully this version will be released on DVD soon, and worth waiting for.Otherwise, try and get a used copy on LD or simply order on VHS! ... Read more

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Editorial Review

This is very good work of its kind, but potential viewers should know what to expect. It is not a performance of Wagner's Read more

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Reviews (8)

Wagner's Last Opera: Behind The Mystic Masterpiece
I first saw this on PBS/KCET channel 28 and was pleased to know it is available on DVD. Tenor Placido Domingo has labored for the cause of opera more than any other tenor, with continual involvement in the arts (including conducting orchestral music) and speaking on behalf of opera. This documentary appeals to opera lovers and intellectuals. Domingo narrates the life and work of Richard Wagner, whose Parsifal was the final masterpiece he left the world with. It was staged in Bayreuth and immediately taken over by his imperious wife Cosima Wagner. The opera is suffused with Christian mysticism and allegory, and tells the story of Parsifal whose name means "innocent fool" who innocently embarks on a major spiritual quest. In Arthurian/Medieval Spain, the wounded king Amfortas seeks healing from a hero who must return the Spear of Destiny stolen by the evil wizard Klingsor. Klingsor has a strong claim over the ambiguous character of Kundry (is she saint or witch ?) who during the day serves the old King and who communes with the evil Klingosr in his castle at night. Parsifal takes on the mission of returning the Spear to its rightful owner. The ending of the opera is a magnificent apotheosis that finds Kunddry redeemed by love and Parsifal attaining spiritual enlightenment, finally saving the land and its King. Excerpts from the opera are performed (by Domingo in fine shape). Also, we look at Richard Wagner (played by Richard Burton) as he composes the final masterpiece. Further, the philosophical aspects of the opera are discussed. And there are many. The Hero's Quest (the much loved theme of Joseph Campbell's teachings), redemption through compassion and love, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism and yes, even Nazism. Unfortunately, Adolph Hitler twisted this sublime piece into a dark, Aryan Supremacist propaganda piece. Hitler loved Wagner only because he related to Wagner's zealous German nationalism, in the same way that he appreciated Nietzche's Super-Man mentality. These things are discussed in the documentary. Filmed in Spain (where the opera takes place) and other parts of Europe, this is really a fine DVD. I don't understand why people have found it disappointing.

Pretty disapointing
I rented this thinking I would be viewing the opera and that was a big disappointment.I did learn a little about how the Grail figures in religious history, which was interesting, but a lot of the commentary by both Placido Domingo, of whom I am a big fan, and also by a few other completely unbalanced people, were a bit ridiculous.Domingo seemed to be saying that the opera could bring world peace and another commentator seemed to think the opera alone was entirely responsible for the holocaust.All a bit simplistic thinking, really.

marvellous documentary
enchanting and inspiring narration by Domingo and perspective introduction by Wolfgang Wagner. Also the only documentary avaiable on Parsifal, the theme and its opera. I love this DVD, only if it is with Chinese subtitles. ... Read more

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Reviews (2)

awful
The worst Gherman on record is definitely Atlantov. One of the best Bolshoi productions
This all-star cast is made up of Pique Dame experts. The production buy Baratov in the Pokrovskiy version is the best Queen of Spades production. The stage-design is romantic and realistic. Atlantov is a great Gherman. Hesings and acts passionatly and his voice is one of the best since DelMonaco. Milashkina is correctly called the best Lisa, even though she isnot as good as on the 1974 recording, conducted by Mark Ermler and withAtlantov as Gherman. Yuriy Mazurok makes the relativly small part ofYeletskiy (he has only one major aria) as importaint as the three leads. Heis my persanaly favored baritone and he once again showes his talant inthis video. Obraztsova is a great Countess. She proves herself to be notonly a great singer, but a wonderfull dramatic actress. Yuriy Grigoryev isa fine Tomskiy and Liudmila Shemchuk a lovely Pouline. Simonov is keepingthe performance's pace up. The character roles are all taken very well. ... Read more

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Editorial Review

Performances of Read more

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Reviews (2)

Only serviceable....
Aside from a so-so cast, McLaughlin a stand-out as being unable to the task of Violetta, there is some really tasteless staging. Yes, the set is traditionally opulent, even fussy, but I do not need spread legs (even seen from the rear), nor a pair of unattractive breasts bouncing about. However, since this is about singing, aside from the inadequate McLaughlin is an attractive Alfredo sung by Walter MacNeil with an equally attractive but unexciting voice and the same may be said for Brent Ellis' Germont. This is not a TERRIBLE performance, but one I'll never watch again except to demonstrate to someone how Traviata should not be done. As for conductor Bernard Haitink, despite his credetials, which are considerable, if he's ever been considered a notable Verdian, I stand to be corrected.

VG Picture-No Subtitles
I had the old VHS Version of this Glyndenbourne performance. compare to that the picture quality of the Dvd is a huge improvement. However the VHS Version had English subtitles; the DVD does not. In these days of everything in Opera having subtitles it seems very strange thatthis DVD does not. Maybe Image would have to pay extra. I do not see in the Opera listings in Amazon any consistent listing for subtitles. For me I would not want to have this if without subtitles so I seek some way of getting a refund. I do not want DVD with no subtitles ... Read more

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Reviews (3)

Tosca in gorgeous quality
Bel Canto Society has obtained a new print of this Tosca, and it is now in gorgeous quality.

The Opera that Made Corelli a Star
There are two versions of the Bel Canto Society video.One is letterboxedwith no subtitles.The picture quality is not good, but the sound iswonderful.The other version was made for TV and has English narrationthroughout the video.On this tape the sound and picuture are excellentconsidering the age of the performance.Corelli is absolutely gorgeous asis the actress playing Tosca.Tosca's voice is Maria Caniglia -fabulous!!!Bel Canto Society has provided Tosca/Corelli fans with amarvelous gift in these tapes.There is nothing like them today and untilCorelli is reborn, there never will be.

Great Talent but bad focus.
A great singer Corelli is fabulous in this video with great sound however picture quality is not good at all,contiually going in and out of focus. ... Read more

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Reviews (3)

Little-known Rossini
This opera is known as 'The Thieving Magpie' in English, and they probably should have used that title for this edition, since 'La Gazza Ladra' sounds to English speakers like a stomach ailment.The brilliant, rousing overture is well-known; Kubrick used it to great effect in one of the fight scenes in 'A Clockwork Orange.'The opera itself, however, is little-known and rarely-performed, which is why this German television production from the eighties may be the only chance you'll get to see it in full staging. It's a picaresque tale of village life, not unlike Massenet's 'Werther' or Verdi's 'Luisa Miller.'The plot concerns a young woman accused of capital theft by a Scarpio-like villain, her situation complicated by the fact that she is hiding her father, a deserter from Napoleon's army.Despite this dark plotline, the opera has many comic moments and is described as an opera "semiseria." Best Cotrubas singing actress video document
I am a Cotrubas fan and I have seen all her commercially available videos.This one is the best example of how good a singing actress she has been.Two years before retiring her voice is still beautiful with a large but controlled vibrato. However, I cannot put more than 3 stars on this DVD because, from a technical point of view, the singing of Cotrubas, Ellis and Kubler is too uniform to be Rossinian (lack of dynamic range and nuances).Rinaldi is more Rossinian but has an unstable vibrato.This is a very plesant production to look at.All singers are good actors and the set is bright and colorful.Overall the comic/dramatic aspect of this opera can easily be felt.In my heart this production has 5 stars.

I have only watched this tape once
This is a pretty good looking production of one of Rossini's non-comic operas.The visual quality has an old fashioned look like a 60's film which is a little crude but quite acceptable.The music seems to be played reasonably well.The real problem to my ear is the heroine's (Ninetta-Ileana Cortrubas) wide vibrato, usually just below pitch, and the truly abysmal wobbly inaccurate singing of the two baritone principal singers.Unless you already know the score, you will not know what the vocal lines are for these baritone arias and recitatives.I actually liked the synopsis done during the overture, the scenery and costumes and the singing on one or two of the minor roles.While the format is basically just relatively long arias joined by short sung dialogs as in other Rossini serious operas, the tunes seemed a little better than usual and the length more reasonable and generally more successful than the usual Rossini standard.So I can recommend that you see this tape if you want to know about the general structure of this opera plot is and what some of the arias sound like.On the other hand, I believe you will probably not want to see this performance more than just this once.Borrow it from a library? ... Read more

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Editorial Review

The important balance to be struck in any production of Tchaikovsky'sRead more

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Reviews (7)

A heartfelt moving modern production
This is a very striking modern production of the opera in line with Nikolaus Lehnhoff's other attempts (a wonderful series of Janacek operas from Glyndebourne and the new Parsifal)--strong, at times symbolic, use of colors, simplified sets, traditional costumes and details.The singers are all young--no great voices here--but tremendously committed and convincing.The conducting is as good as in any recording, full of color and unexpected detail. To really appreciate Tchaikovsky's world and musical/pictorial image you would no doubt want to see one of the good Russian DVDs (Bolshoi or Kirov); but this is a very moving performance which stands up well beside the more traditional ones.

Flawed, but distinctiveEuro Onegin from young cast
Among six versions on vhs or dvd or Eugen Onegin now, this European Union Opera Company (EU) Onegin is one of the two modernist ones, the other of which (produced by Graham Vick) on the one hand, mixes in more traditional elements than this one does, but fatally loses so much focus, intensity for its second half. The EU version makes excruciating drama out of all critical passages in its final hour.The much more than casually engaged interaction between all characters in this Onegin belies that it was one put together under international auspices.
Buy it, but close your eyes when you watch it.
I agree with everything the next viewer(dated May 31, 02)said about this DVD.I like Tchaikovsky's operas.I expected to see something Russian, but I was very disappointed.The stage design and the costume looked awlful.Only the Onegin character makes the DVD worth buying. Fat Tosca is okay, but not a Fat Tatiyana. The VHS version with Yuri Marusin and Sergei Leyferkus is definitely the 1st choice.It should be issued on DVD. ... Read more

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

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Tragic Thriller by Rimsky-Korsakov
Lavishly filmed in black and white, this is Vladimir Gorikker's gripping version of Rimsky-Korsakov's tale of passion and treachery from the time of Ivan the Terrible. Moscow's Bolshoi Theater presents convincing portrayals by the actors (especially the dashing Otar Koberidze as the principal no-goodnik), brilliant vocalism by the singers (sadly, only three are identified in the credits), and ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR costumes and settings, some on unspecified location. The masterful cinematography of Vadim Mass suffers only in close-ups where the actors too obviously lip-synch with the soundtrack. Rounding it all out are the stunning performances by the Orchestra and Chorus of the Bolshoi, under conductor Yevgeni Svetlanov. A sumptuous treat - one could not wish for a better evening of entertainment! ... Read more

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