Customer Reviews

Berlioz: Les Troyens [Blu-ray]

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

 

 

Presented across two dual-layer BD50 Blu-ray discs, Berlioz's adaptation of Virgil's The Aeneid is truly an epic undertaking, both in terms of the production and the opera itself. His penultimate opera, Les Troyens is considered to be the composer's masterpiece, and indeed it brings together all the elements and the variety that is characteristic of Berlioz's range, from darkness to light, from blood and thunder to tender lyricism, with rousing choruses, dramatic singing performances, musical interludes and dance sequences.

Despite that, the opera was never performed in full during the lifetime of the composer, the first two acts dealing with the fall of Troy to the Greeks despite Cassandra's highly emotive premonitions of doom, excised in favour of the Trojans in Carthage section of Acts 3 to 5. There is certainly a strong division between the two parts, with many of the principal's inevitably dying at the sacking of Troy at the end of Act 2, including Cassandra and her lover Choreobus (Hector already dead before the start of the opera nevertheless makes a highly effective appearance at the start of the Second Act in the form of a projected apparition), but it's hard to imagine the opera feeling complete without the darkness and the powerful impact of the first half. Anna Caterina Antonacci, in particular, showing what the role of Cassandra has to offer the opera as a whole, a striking contrast to Susan Graham's Dido, who dominates the second half, though no less effectively.

As the surviving Trojans flee, they receive temporary shelter in the North African city of Carthage established recently by exiles from Tyre, under the rule of Queen Dido. Both exiles, the respective leaders of the two tribes, Aeneas and Dido, find comfort for their loss in love for each other, but only until the gods remind Aeneas of his duty to lead his people to Italy. In contrast to the opening acts, the second half of Les Troyens consequently covers a wider range of emotions and the musical accompaniment is likewise as broad and as colourful as the set designs for Carthage, the tone darkening again at the end in a manner that echoes the restored opening of the opera.

The 2003 production at the Châtelet in Paris is accordingly spectacular, the stage filled with movement and action, but never cluttered, the score dominated often by the power of the choral writing, but individual roles are strong and the performances are exceptional, Gregory Kunde a fine Aeneas to stand alongside Antonacci and Graham. Everything about the production, the orchestra under the direction of Sir John Eliot Gardiner, is of the highest order, every single scene offering something of fascination and wonder, whether it is in the music, the singing or the staging. But, particularly in this full version of Les Troyens, there is an overall impression of completeness here - total opera.

Les Troyens is perfectly presented on Blu-ray, the division between the two parts of the opera much better than on the 3-disc DVD edition. Act 1 and 2 are on the first disc along with the extra features, the other three acts on the second disc. Image and sound can hardly be faulted, the audio presented in PCM 2.0 and DTS HD Master Audio 5.1. The tone on the surround track is soft and warm rather than clean and precise, but the dynamic range is nonetheless excellent, handling the extremes well, and it is well suited to the arrangement. The hour-long documentary features contributions from the main performers and makes some interesting observations, but is over-long, being mostly made up of a complete walk-through of the synopsis by John Eliot Gardiner, illustrated with extended sequences from the opera.

I have this only in the DVD version but the audio -- orchestral playing particularly and even the singing -- is probably the best in my collection of more than 100 operas. The only turnoff for me was the Greek soldiers carrying tommy guns rather than spears/swords. Visually the 1983 Met version is on par but the audio on this one is superior. I could have wished for a little more realism in the staging but this at least lets you know what Berlioz intended. The Met's ballet is better. Highly recommended.

First, the opera. It is not often staged due to its huge demands on an opera company. But it is one of the very greatest operas of all times (it made my top ten), and any opera lover who hasn't seen it yet needs to get to it as soon as possible. It is unbelievably beautiful.

Second, the performance. Excellent production, and no, the tommy guns didn't bother me, I've seen a lot worse in terms of out-of-control stage directors. This time they didn't play any unpleasant tricks other than this little anachronism. The ballets are less than ideal although the flying birds are really nice, but other than that, everything else is just perfect, with excellent singing and great chorus parts.

This is a must-have blu-ray disc.

Out of the hundred or more opera dvd's I have seen (I am still new at this) this one has to be the best sounding of them all. It is hours of pure ear massage. Perfect orchestra, perfect singing, and perfect interpretation. There is not much else to be said. Ballet sections are cheesy, but just close your eyes and listen to the glorious music. The acting is perfect and the stark staging lets the chorus (unreal!!!) and individual characters speak for themselves. Please get this and see why this is hands-down, Berlioz's masterpiece, and one of the greatest musical achievements of all time.