Product Details

• Format: NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Homevision
• VHS Release Date: June 16, 2000
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303300707
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #382,899 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A brilliant production has been lavished on this relatively early and seldom-produced Verdi masterpiece. The story of various efforts (ultimately successful) to assassinate Attila the Hun after his conquest of Rome inspired Verdi to compose music of considerable energy. The theme of foreign powers who dominate Italy being punished was especially close to his heart. La Scala assembled a cast equal to his music's strenuous demands. The star, unquestionably, is Samuel Ramey in the title role, but he is supported by a first-class cast and a chorus and orchestra who are completely at home in this music. The fact that some of the less familiar Italian operas reached the DVD format so early in its existence is a tribute to Muti's devotion to unjustly neglected works. So is the power and precision of this performance. --Joe McLellan

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ramey gives powerhouse performance in rare Verdi!, December 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Attila [VHS] (VHS Tape)

From the foreboding overture to the Ceasar-esque finale, Verdi's "Attila" is a nonstop musical and dramatic masterpiece. Samuel Ramey gives a stellar perfomance as the Hun leader. Cheryl Studer and Giorgio Zancanaro round out the cast that truly breath firey life into Verdi's music. This La Scala production is conducted by the powerful Riccardo Muti, who gives a militaristic yet passionate treatment of the score. This recording is a must-have for opera fans of any level. "Attila" is three acts of rousing, passionate, and glorious theater, performed in the grand opera tradition for which it was written.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You couldn't have a better cast!, June 18, 2001

By 

Carmela Altieri "[e-mail]" (Williston Park, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Verdi - Attila / Jérôme Savary · Riccardo Muti · Samuel Ramey · Teatro alla Scala (DVD)

This opera is one of Verdi's forgotten ones perhaps because you need powerful and commanding voices to sing it. One couldn't hope for a better Attila than Samuel Ramey. He is simply vocally at his best and his acting is terrific. Cheryl Studer is a powerful Odabella and the Italian baritone Giorgio Zancanaro is outstanding. If you love Verdi's Nabucco, you will love Attila. I think that the Italians have it over the Americans; the Chorus is wonderful. The conductor, Riccardo Muti, is perhaps one of the best. This was the first opera I bought on DVD and I have gone back to it over and over. Please buy this one. It's worth the money.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Early Verdi superbly sung!, April 7, 2000

By 

D. J. Edwards "donaldjedwards" (Cheshire, CT United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Verdi - Attila / Jérôme Savary · Riccardo Muti · Samuel Ramey · Teatro alla Scala (DVD)

Ramey and Studer triumph in a spectacular performance. Ramey's resonant bass rings true and powerful. Ranks up there with his Mefistofele! I cannot imagine this role more superbly sung and acted. Chicago Lyric Opera is in for much excitement next season when he does this role for them with such commanding and thrilling tone. Studer sings in the same league and calibre: rich tone, secure and powerful high notes with dramatic intensity, simply an all out no stops performance. Her soft notes are beautiful and her duets with the tenor Kaludov are equally memorable. He is not quite in her league but he does some fine singing. Wonderful production. Only Zancanaro lets down the side a litle but then it is not much of a role to start with. La Scala can be proud of this performance - which ranks high with their Domingo "Fanciulla" - and we are luckier than the audience present since we can see it at will.