Customer Reviews

Andrea Chenier - Carreras, Marton, Cappuccilli [VHS]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I must admit I never thought I would be happy with a Chenier sung by anyone other than Corelli (by the way, if anyone has the video, PLEASE let me know). I just acquired the Carreras VHS of this wonderful opera and he is magnificent - back when the voice was liquid velvet and the looks were phenomenal. His acting is entirely adequate if not inspired. Marton sings beautifully even if she is way past engenue status. Piero Cappuccilli gives a performance of Gerard that will knock your socks off. The LaScala staging is a major star of this production - absolutely beautiful - no expense spared. Corelli's video is out of print, Domingo's is dull, so go for Carreras - you won't be disappointed.

What a high point in operatic history!!! Does it get any better than this? I doubt it. The team of Cappucilli,Carreras& Marton are stupendous.From the start,Cappucilli establishes himself as the definitive Gerard. The outburst of applause from the La Scala audience is richly deserved.His is a commanding yet compassionate bass-baritone voice.Although a bit stiff in the acting department,Eva Marton as Maddalena was perfect casting.She, along with Ileana Cotrubas, are 2 of the most under-appreciated singers of our time.Her " La mamma morta"had a bittersweet quality which surpasses the Callas interpretations. She must be heard to be believed.
The eternal showstopper Jose Carreras melds into the role of Chenier.You feel his outrage at the economic situation of the average French citizen. His voice is in perfect form.
Visually and vocally,it is a beautiful production.I would hope it will come out on DVD to provide more visual clarity. A must-have for the opera novice or enthusiast collection.

Despite its stereotype as a "B" opera Andrea Chenier never fails to excite me. This is a wonderful production of Chenier with a few overlookable flaws.
The other reviewers were entirely correct to laud Cappuccilli's Gerard. He is dramatic and believable with out wearing away at the ear as some dramatic singers can do. His third act aria is amasterpiece and you would have never known that "Chenier" was a B opera after watching his tortured expression.
Eva Marton was really really loud. My speakers couldn't always handle her intence resonance; but its not her fault that hher voice is a force of nature on stage. She is a very believable Maddalena despite oversinging perhaps occasionally. Her acting and singing in Ora Suave Sublime was really exeptional and she was also intelligent enough to blend in the duet although she undoubtedly could have easily overpowered her lover. She also is bigger than carreras, physically, by far which makes for some interesting loves scenes.

Carreras was a strangely likeable chenier. Although it is almost unbelievable that a spanish lyric tenor who's glory lies in light verdi would throw years off of his voice to sing perhaps the heaviest role in the italian reperitoire. But it's his voice; and if he is willing to give it i am willing to listen. And I ended up listening to a emmpassioned Chenier. Tone wise there is a even mix of the golden high notes of yore and the foggy wodden ones which I have learned to accept. His acting has never been better and his Improviso is something to behold!
Overall this is a exceptional chenier! Although Carreras cant compare to Del Monaco or Corelli in steel and stamina he brings a interesting passion to the role that makes it fascinating.

Carreras' Chenier is the only one I've seen on video, but I'm not going to check out other tenors in this role, because in my opinion this is as good as it can possibly get. He looks fabulous and sings even better. His "improvviso" as well as "come un bel di di maggio" are show-stopping arias and he sings them both with great passion. This opera was recorded in 1985 and Carreras' voice sounds more mature, but it's still divine. There is something so irresistible about his interpretation of this role that makes it just sneak up on you and grab you by the heart. The finale of this opera where Chenier and Maddalena are facing death together is really moving.

Eva Marton is neither my favourite Maddalena nor my favourite soprano for that matter. She has a quality in her voice that makes it sound "cold", but still I have to admit there are moments when her singing is good. In looks she doesn't quite match Carreras as she looks older than him and she's also bigger than him. She's one of two sopranos where I get the feeling they can "belt" him off stage (Dimitrova is the other one). Even Caballé doesn't give me this feeling as she's the queen of pianissimos. But enough said; I'm more than willing to put up with Marton since we get Carreras and Cappuccilli in exchange.

I love Cappuccilli in the role as Carlo Gerard and the audience at La Scala obviously feel the same way. His acting as well as his singing is first rate throughout the entire opera. At one point he actually has to acknowledge the applause he gets from the audience as it seemed like they weren't going to stop cheering and applauding until he did so.

The rest of the cast is also quite good and this is an absolute necessity in any opera collection. Like most reviewers I'm also waiting for this to come out on dvd, but in the meantime I'm more than happy to make do with the video.

I hope they will come up with DVD version. Carreras and Cappuccilli are the best. Marton is not too convincing, but it can be overlooked for the sake of the whole package. This is the best Andrea Chenier up to date and I do not think it is possible to make it any better.

When I first saw this video I did not know what to say, because that was the first time I saw Cappuccilli on stage. The star of this video is Piero Cappuccilli, he has it all, a magnificent real bariton voice, gread actor and he is very italin/dramatic. Piero Cappuccilli is the best Gèrard you can find. Carreras is also good but he is not the best Chèner. The filming is very good also the rest of the cast