Cheap Zandonai - Francesca Da Rimini / James Levine, The Metropolitan Opera (DVD) (Brian Large) Price
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| CATEGORY: | DVD |
| DIRECTOR: | Brian Large |
| THEATRICAL RELEASE DATE: | 30 January, 1985 |
| MANUFACTURER: | Pioneer Video |
| MPAA RATING: | NR (Not Rated) |
| FEATURES: | Color, Closed-captioned, Dolby |
| TYPE: | Performing Arts - Opera |
| MEDIA: | DVD |
| # OF MEDIA: | 1 |
| UPC: | 013023017597 |
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Customer Reviews of Zandonai - Francesca Da Rimini / James Levine, The Metropolitan Opera
disappointing production although this DVD has very good performances by Domingo and Scotto it is flawed by very poor filming. Yes the set and costumes are lush, but it is so dark you can't see them. I bought this in spite of it being a Pioneer production, but I
will not make this mistake again.
Met puts best foot forward
The Metropolitan Opera went all out to make its production of this rarely performed work a success. The sets are beautiful and match the music perfectly. The conducting and playing could hardly be bettered. Scotto is nearly perfect in the title role (just a few years earlier she would have been absolutely perfect). Domingo was at his best as Paolo. Nevertheless, veteran baritone Cornell MacNeil nearly steals the show as the nasty, brutish Gianciotto. At this stage of his career, his voice was no longer beautiful, but it still had the range, power, and expressiveness to personify this evil character. The opera falls somewhat short of being an unqualified musical masterpiece, but it is a fascinating and dramatically effective work and has some stunning scenes, including the longest battle scene I have ever seen on stage in an opera theater (Die Walkure, Act III Scene 1 is shorter and the actual battle seems always to take place off stage). I recommend that you get this one. You won't be bored.
Francesca da Rimini at the Met (DVD)
Francesca da Rimini is a fascinating opera and in parts - the end of act 1, the second half of Act 3 - truly magical. It is not the sort of opera which would take kindly to a minimalist production or to updating, so - in this case - the lavish sets and costumes provided by the Met are entirely appropriate and highly effective (though I do wish the audience would refrain from applauding the scenery). The opera stands or falls by the casting of Francesca and Paolo and in this production it definitely stands. In 1984, Placido Domingo was a dashing and handsome Paolo acting with verve and on top vocal form. We perhaps too often take him for granted because he has been so good for so long. Francesca is supposed to be young and beautiful. Renata Scotto is neither, but for much of the time she makes you think that she is. Her acting is most certainly of the operatic variety, but it works. At this stage in her career, when she is called upon to deliver the highest notes her voice turns hard and wobbles - fortunately there are not that many of the highest notes in this part. The rest of the voice remains gorgeous and infinitely expressive. Levine and the Met orchestra play superbly.