Cheap Donizetti - Lucia di Lammermoor / Richard Bonynge, The Metropolitan Opera (DVD) (Kirk Browning) Price

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Customer Reviews of Donizetti - Lucia di Lammermoor / Richard Bonynge, The Metropolitan Opera

My favorite opera video of all time
But then, Sutherland is probably my all-time favorite soprano. I had the great good fortune to see a performance of this production at the Met when I lived in Manhattan at that time. Because the Met is such a big house (I sat in the orchestra section), the sound on the video is much better than at the live performance. Krause, in particular was difficult to hear, and Elvira's deeper voice often almost impossible to hear, even in the orchestra seats. Dame Joan is of course much older than the heroine, but her difficulties both in voice and physical movement make her seem that much more touching and vulnerable in the role, to me. The fact that her voice is not the pristine, perfect instrument is was in the 60s and 70s, also, for me, adds emotion and expressiveness to this particular production. I will always be able to enjoy this performance, and as a lover of vocal and musical beauty, that is quite a comfort to me. I highly recommend this particular version to anyone who loves the opera, and especially who love Sutherland's voice.

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Return Of A Legend: Sutherland Sins Lucia At The Met
The amazing Australian soprano, Joan Sutherland, given the title of Dame Joan Sutherland in Britain, made her debut at the Met in New York City in 1961 as the tragic heroine Lucia. From that moment on, her career became a blaze of glory that the world over witnessed. She sang at all the major opera houses and theatres of the globe- Covent Garden in London (where she had first sang Lucia), The Sidney Opera House in her native Australia and of course Italy's La Scala in Milan. Joan Sutherland admits to having the fortune of incredible support from her husband, conductor Richard Bonynge, who was responsible for her success. With Bonynge, she performed in the dramatic repertoire that underwent revivals in the 60's and 70's - the bel canto masterpieces (such as this Lucia) and Bellini's majestic Norma as well as the dramatic and demanding role of Donizetti's Lucrezia Borgia. Joan's performance as Lucrezia Borgia is also available on DVD and is a sensational theatrical masterpiece. The same applies for her performance as Queen Marguerite in Meyebeer's "Les Huguenots" also on DVD and her last opera she performed before her retirement.

On this DVD, we watch as Joan Sutherland returns to the Met after a long absence to sing the role that made her a star- the vulnerable Lucia. Alfreo Kraus sings the heartbroken tenor lead Edgardo, who has a showcase suicide aria at the end of the opera, delivered with aplomb and with authentic ardor. Joan's Lucia is touching. Her "Regnava Nel Silenzio" is only a build up for the flashy hysteria in the Mad Scene. Her dramatic version is dead on and her coloratura is thrilling. Of course, Joan is past her prime in 1982 at the time of this Met broadcast and her voice may appear more faulty and less lustrous than her initial performances of the early 60's, but - hey, what's here is here. It's still delivered very well.

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THE AUSTRALIAN LUMBERJACK
i hope that the title of this article is enough to describe my feelings towards this australian singing extravaganza....Dame Edna is more elegant than Joan Sutherland....i had the chance to see her live in La Scala, period 82-83 singing La Fille du regiment.......thank god Alfredo Kraus was singing with her........a lady of about 100 years old trying to act like the young Marie.....poor Joan...i remember the words of Zeffirelli when he first saw her: "she was huuuuge!i was wondering how the hell ma i gonna do Lucia with this creature".........oh, And By The Way.........the last that Sutherland has been towards Callas is JEALOUS.....i have a taped interview of Sutherland saying that even in her wildest dreamest she could ever do Traviata as Callas did....well, in order to sing traviata you just gotta have one thing : THIS HOLLY GREEK FIRE BURNING INTO YOU, THE FIRE OF SOME THOUSAND YEARS OF CIVILISATION THEATRE AND TRAGEDY...............CALLAS WAS A DRAMATIC?WAS SHE ALSO A COLORATURA??A LIRICO??? I WOULD LOVE TO SEE SUTHERLAND SINGING TOSCA (DONT MENTION THE HILARIOUS STUDIO TURANDOT)....BUT CALLAS WOULD SING PURITANI AND THE NEXT DAY BRUNHILDE!CAN YOU IMMAGINE LA STUPENDA WITH HORNS ON HER HEAD???TERRIFYING!!!!