Editorial Review

In one of those Verdi works for which "grand opera" is almost too tame a description, Sir Peter Hall's 1998 Glyndebourne staging achieves true epic status in the story's political conflicts, while also grounding itself in the intimate relationships of the main characters. This approach works wonderfully well, both in the opera and for video viewers, since the close-ups come across better on TV screens than the outsized epic scenes. But those large-scale scenes are no slouch either, since Hall's production and John Gunter's sets have appropriate heft without any excessive vulgarity. The typically big Verdi choruses are handled with exacting precision by the Glyndebourne Chorus and by conductor Mark Elder, who also presides over strong vocal work from Giancarlo Pasquetto (as Simon), Elena Prokina (his daughter Amelia), and Peter Sidhom (the villain Paolo). Only David Rendall, as Amelia's betrothed, Gabriele, isn't completely up to snuff. But that's not enough to derail this strong production's gripping, musically hushed finale. Read more

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Reviews (1)

Epic Mediocrity
Anyone familiar with the works of Verdi knows that Simon Boccanegra was one of the final steps to what experts call the composer's "mature period."It is an opera with one of the most complicated (not to mention daring) plots he employed, and requires a full fledged cast of virtuoso singers in the lead roles (baritone, three bassi, soprano, tenor), and numerous other small roles.Thus, it requires an imaginative and talentedopera company, orchestra, and list of talented musicians.
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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Musical Features    3. Opera / Operetta / Oratorio    4. Opera/Operetta    5. Performing Arts - Opera   

Editorial Review

The ostensible subject of Prokofiev's surrealistic comedy Read more

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Reviews (5)

subtitles missing
There is no way to turn the subtitles on and I have bought 2 DVDs at this point and neither of them have working subtitles.Outside of that is a suberb performance.No company is better than Opera Lyon's at this type of production.

Outstanding and great fun
This Opera National de Lyon production is simply delightful.The singing is excellent and the audio quality of the DVD is as good.The video is of an equal quality. Excellent!
Everything about this video is just wonderful! It is humorous & delightful, the acting is great, the choreography is wonderful, the singing and orchestra is great, the tempo is brisk, the sound mixing is good, the sets are fabulous (they are a bit avant garde, but it works ok here.)This is the 3RD time I've watched this video (1st time on DVD.)Read more

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Editorial Review

There is a special category of German opera--we might call it the repellent masterpiece--in which some works of Richard Strauss are prominent, and Read more

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Reviews (15)

Abbado - Yes
Abbado is the best conductor of this generation in my opinion.The vitality and sensitivity of his performances can't be surpassed.He does Strauss as well as Beethoven and Verdi.

Elektra shows everyone the ropes
The pacing by the Vienna Staatsoper (Conducted by Claudio Abbado) was well done in one act. It was a tad fast at first. Then you get into the story which follows the classic telling with a little more emphases on Klytemn�stra.
So Intense!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This production was incredible!!I felt dragging tension throughout the entire DVD.Eva Marton's voice is huge and incredibly affective.She acted so well as Elektra!!!Mezzo-Soprano Brigitte Fassbaender is a genius.Her potrayal of Queen Clytemnestra was amazingly done.I can't imagine anyone else doing a better job.This was an incredibly dark opera...very different from Strauss's other masterpieces, with the exception of Salome.You won't find darkness and intensity like this in Der Rosenkavalier or Capriccio. ... Read more

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The great performer of Windgassen
When talking about Windgassen, we don�t have to talk a lot. He is the fantastit in every work he have done. Thats a privilege watch him in video. ... Read more

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Editorial Review

What distinguishes this excellent production of Puccini's Read more

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Reviews (9)

Catch this Butterfly
If one can get over a need for superstars in this opera, here is the DVD to have.Directed by a Japanese director for La Scala, it is totally convincing.Butterfly and Susuki don't have to pretend that they are small Oriental women because they ARE small Oriental women.Hayashi, who sings the title role, does not have as much strength in her lower register as a western soprano but she embodies the role completely.Susuki is excellent in voice and appearance.Dvorsky's Pinkerton is one dimensional...but that's the kind of person who would marry a Butterfly and then forget about her.One cannot say enough good about Zancanaro's Sharpless.Here is a singer whose every line is beatifully shaped.His voice is effortlessly and evenly produced from top to bottom.Having no musical or techincal problems to deal with he is free to act with great sensitivity to the text.Though rarely in leading roles, his presence on a DVD is enough to make me consider owning it.
Puccini goes Kabuki
It's easy to come to this opera with alot of expectationsand if you are looking for a conventional approachthis somewhat low-keyed version may notappeal to you.But if you are in the mood for something different then this stylish and skillfulproduction could be just your cup oftea. Theshow has been directed attentively in oriental style.The stylized movement and the dramaturgy, costumes and settings all reflect an eastern approach andgive the opera arare sense of authenticity.The cherry blossoms are in full bloom hereand you might actually think you were in Japan for a few hours.All the power and glory of Puccini'smasterpiece are here in abundance. There are no doubt more melodramatic versions but I found this one to be far easier to swallow dramatically than ... say, the filmed Karajan (Ponnelle)--- which struck me as false through and through. I thought Hayashi Yasuko's ability to convey arange of emotions inher aria Un Bel Di was very impressive.The sense of hope, despair, doubtshe was able to convey at the same timewas just heart-breaking. The ending, too, is quite effective as the stage turns bright red in a sea of blood.A very oriental effect-- and a mighty powerful way to end this striking production.

Blame Puccini
Yes, Cio-cio San is supposed to be a delicate Japanese teenage girl, but the music Puccini wrote for her to sing would be impossible for any teenage soprano to sing.This is heavy, loud singing that Puccini demands from the soprano.Only sopranos with mature, big voices can, and should,sing this role. So, stop carping about fat sopranos singing Cio-cio San.Most sopranos with mature, big voices have big bodies.Get over it! ... Read more

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

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Editorial Review

Gluck told the story of Orpheus (really a meditation on thepower of music) with a simple directness that has survived more than twocenturies ofchanging musical fashions. In this 1991 modernization and wildelaboration,Orpheus is visually a guitar-toting, leather-clad rocker. But Gluck's music exerts itscharacterand its special charm, no matter whether one accepts the visualconcepts ofdirector Harry Kupfer or dismisses them as self-indulgent.Read more

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Reviews (6)

Distasteful modern mis-interpretation
I like modern/avant garde interpretation - when it is done right. Then there is an obvious
kowalski disappointed me
I neither was thrilled by nor disliked most of the staging. I did like the use of the small television Orfeo carries as he tries to lead Eurydice up from the underworld. I also enjoyed the voices and most of the performances. I thought Webster was excellent, and I was impressed with Kowalski until he wrecked "Che faro senza Eurydice?" with excessive ornamentation. This is the crucial aria of the opera and, when sung well, one of the most beautiful arias in all of opera. Kowalski's flourishes ruin the line of the melody and detract from its intensity and grace. Because the opera hinges on this aria, the poor performance of it severely weakens the whole production.

ouch!
The music is beautiful, the singing is very good but the staging is an arrogant mess. Close your eyes and enjoy it but why not get a cd? ... Read more

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Editorial Review

This production of the epic Chinese opera Read more

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Reviews (4)

More Shakespeare than Verdi
This review is written by someone who is familiar with Western Opera, but who has never seen a Chinese Opera until given a copy of "The Peony Pavilion."A suggestion for prospective listeners with a similar musical background: initially you might be overwhelmed by the color, the odd (to the Western ear) falsetto singing and speaking, and the stylized movements and acrobatics of the opera itself, so it might be best to watch the add-on, "The Making of The Peony Pavilion" before attempting the actual opera.It will introduce you to the singers, explain how the opera finally arrived at Lincoln Center, and show you many of the details that went into the production, e.g. the silk embroidery, the musical instruments, and the origin of the 300 or so songs in the opera.There is also a quick plot summary and an introduction to the main characters: Du Liniang (Beautiful Du), the heroine who dies of love and returns from the grave to marry her scholarly lover; the handsome young scholar, Liu Mengmei (Willow Dream of Plum); Du's parents; her pert little maid; her gabby old tutor; the King of the Underworld; the old nun, Sister Stone (one of my favorites). And many others--many, many other characters, all fascinating, including a fierce woman warrior (a role always played by a cross-dressing, falsetto-singing male). I wish I could say good things about this DVD
I am not a long time Kun Qu fan. I got interested in it about 3 years ago. It was not an easy task to learn to appreciate the beauty and excitement of Kun Qu. But once I learned something about Kun Qu, I was totally obsessed with it. People who publish this DVD might think this way: since it is hard to appreciate Kun Qu, let's put lots of bells and whistles in this production to make it "exciting." Well, succeed indeed they. A lot of scenes are selected for this DVD simply because in these scences the stage is crowded with acrobats, exotic costumes, or fashionable stage design. I am not against those stage elements per se. But where is the performance? I want the performance! I really wish I could say something good about this DVD. I heard that the original 19-hours production was quite an achievement. Unfortunately, they picked up the dessert but left out the main dishes to produce this DVD.

a fabulous epic !
If you love Chinese opera, don't miss this classic tale, written in 1598, and brought to life by director Chen Shi-Zheng, with genius, hard work, and a lot of determination.Read more

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Editorial Review

"Opera" merely begins to describe the range of music Kiri Te Kanawa sings on this disc amid the spectacular scenery of Australia's Yalkarinha Gorge. Operatic arias include one exquisite rarity, "Marietta's Lied" from Korngold's Read more

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Reviews (2)

Disappointment
I found the sound of Kiri te Kanawa's voice here shocking. I think she sounds like an old lady - which was obviously because of the emotionally turbulent period of her life that she found herself in.If you want to buyt his Dvd for vocal beauty, dont! however, if you are prepared to make some concessions and enjoy the singing of one of the great female singers of the last 30 years - the musical art - then do.She has done better though!

Kiri in the Outback
This is a wonderful must have video!With the great Kiri Te Kanawa in her best form and old friend Robin Stapleton conducting this is one for all music lovers.Kiri has a wonderful range in dynmanics.She has worked with greats from Berstein to Lloyd Webber himself so her vast knowledge of all music types comes into play here.Plus you have the stunning outblack.This is not the first time Dame Kiri has sung in the outback.Its wonderful to have the whole concert on view here. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

An historic occasion is preserved here, together with some unusuallyfine singing and orchestral playing. The last concert given in the historicGlyndebourne Opera House before it was torn down in 1992 to make way for alarger auditorium, this was an occasion for brief reminiscences by such stars ofthe past as Janet Baker, Geraint Evans, and Elisabeth Soederstrom, as well asmusic-making by Frederica von Stade, Montserrat Caballé, Felicity Lott,Ruggero Raimondi, and others. Those who recall evenings spent in that fineauditorium may treasure the video experience as much as the audio. The camerascapture some of Glyndebourne's atmosphere, the look of the stately old Christiemansion, and the rolling green fields where opera lovers would stroll in tuxedosand evening gowns carrying picnic baskets. Still, the music is the mainattraction, and it is powerful. Among the most impressive performances are twoarias from Read more

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Reviews (2)

I was pleased to see and enjoy the famous Glyndebourne
I enjoyed the program very much.I bought the DVD to get to know more about Glyndebourne and that I did.

A very enjoyable DVD.
I bought this to see the famous Glyndebourne.I got to see this and hear a wonderful concert.Read more

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Editorial Review

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Reviews (14)

It Was Okay But It Could Have Been Better!
I love the Pirates of Penzance and have seen other productions that were great but though not horrible this is far from perfect! Peter Allen wasn't the best Pirate King and not the greatest singer but his acting was good and was kind of enjoyable, I think what really bothered me about this production was that Frederic is 21 years old and the man playing him looked more like he was 51 years old and way to old to be playing a 21 year old, the woman playing Mabel looked kind of too old to be playing Mabel but at least she didn't look as old as the man playing Frederic and was somewhat more believable! There were some good performances from the people playing Ruth and Major Stanley and some good musical numbers with Mabel's sisters but I just could not get past the fact that the man playing Frederic was too old for the part and was badly miscast!

Not excellent, but passable in parts...
Overall, I thought that this version of Pirates was pretty disappointing. Mabel and Frederick, although their voices are decent, are practically elderly, which spoils the whole idea of young love and contradicts all the verses that praise Frederick's beauty. Frederick and the Pirate King also seem to lack... well, there's not another way to put this... masculinity. I found the whole second act boring.
Well...
I find this version to very sloppy.The sound is horrible.I truly recommend the Stratford Version or the Papp Version with Kevin Kline.
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Editorial Review

This production of Lehar's Read more

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Reviews (10)

Nonsense
I didn't like it, but the audience in Australia certainly did.Sutherland sang only one thing (in my opinion) poorly, and that was I think the last number in the show, what is commonly called The Merry Widow Waltz.She sang it in her "low voice" (to take an expression from Kiri Te Kanawa) and I didn't like it.The rest of it (what there WAS of it!) was wonderful.Too much dialogue.Too much farce (it was stupid).I've heard several different versions of this score, and except a few tunes, they all seem to have different songs in them.Which reminds me, my preference (even over Sutherland) is Studer's CD of this show.Glorious!I may be mistaken, but I think, in fact am almost positive, that some of the songs were cut (to make room for that boring, idiotic dialogue?And what was the point of all the dancing, the choreography of which was NOT particularly enthralling?).Finally, it was a pleasure, a treasure to hear Sutherland talk in English at great length, she is one of my favorite people, and now at last I know what her speaking voice sounded like.The English lyrics were pedestrian, and they might as well have left it all in German it was so hard to understand what anyone was saying.I liked the 3rd act the best.And I knew I was in trouble (like a dish of cold water in the face) when Danilo spoke instead of singing his first number.Bleah!

A GREAT SHOW
This is a great DVD ifi you want to see the heroine, getting the man, and staying alive to enjoy it. The ballet is great, the costumes are amazing, and the prince is....Ron Stevens!!!, Direct from Australian TV
This performance was not made just for, or even with DVD in mind, it is simply a transfer from a standard TV production, and as such is flawed, the michrophones are of poor quality, making Joan Southerland sound rather off, they can't properly record her extreme dynamic range (a real shame, because people are mistaking what was recorded with the way she really sounds)the video is poor, and looks really bad on a large screen, although not that bad on a regular tv, the performances are as good as any you are likely to find on record, although different from the San Francisco Opera production,, whichis every bit as good in the performances, but superior in Video, Audio, Stageing, Costumes, and lighting, for Southerland fans this will be the one, for everyone else the San Francisco Opera DVD is the one to get, unless or until a new Widow is released ... Read more

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Reviews (2)

Stodgy camera-work, but jaunty production
I believe that the filming of this video was done only to preserve the performance for archival purposes since the camera angle seems to be fixed and offers few close-up shots.The production is almost lively enough to counteract the wooden camera, and the singing is elegant and witty.I would recommend this version to true Rossini fans, just for the pleasure of listening to Michele Pertusi's polished handling of Mustaf?'s fioritura.It is also a delight to watch Anna Maria Di Mico's Isabella vamping all the men on stage in her slinky, jazz-age haute couture. L'italiana in Algeri
First of all, be aware that this video does not have subtitles.The filming is amateurish.Mustafa is singing and the camera is on Isabela. The singing is OK, but the production is almost ridiculous at times.I had just seen this opera at the Met when I bought the video and was very disappointed.Some of the blocking is embarassing as well. ... Read more

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Absurdity
This is undoubtedly one of the silliest (unintentionally) movies portman
not a brilliant movie but it gives viewers a chance to see a great pianist paderevsky ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber Music & Recitals    2. Classical    3. Opera/Operetta    4. Performing Arts - Opera