Product Details

• Actors: Samuel Ramey, Gabriela Benacková, Dennis O'Neill, Judith Christin, Daniel Harper
• Directors: Robert Carsen
• Writers: Arrigo Boito
• Format: Classical, Color, NTSC
• Subtitles: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Kultur Video
• VHS Release Date: April 29, 1997
• Run Time: 160 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304469675
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #217,216 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Arrigo Boito's treatment of the Faust legend has never been as popular as Gounod's, but Boito was an imaginative composer and a great librettist (he wrote the words for Verdi's Otello and Falstaff, the two finest librettos in Italian opera). As the title suggests, his Mefistofele puts the spotlight on the diabolical villain of the story at least as much as its hapless hero. It is a role ideally suited to Samuel Ramey, requiring a rich, deep voice, a striking stage presence, and only elementary acting skills. He has taken it to most of the world's great opera houses with spectacular success, and it is good to have it in a first-class video recording.

The libretto stands out, among operatic treatments of Faust, for its effort to capture the full, epic scope of Goethe's drama, including its moments of unearthly sublimity. The prologue and the conclusion are among opera's most memorable moments of choral grandeur, as this production makes clear. Elsewhere, Boito is witty, colorful, and, sometimes, philosophically dry. --Joe McLellan

From the Back Cover

Arrigo Boito's treatment of the Faust legend is imaginative, yet also faithful to Goethe's original conception, and the score is memorable for its rich orchestral sounds, beautifully punctuated with lyrical passages and choral interludes. Robert Carson's sumptuous, post-modern production of Mefistofele is a gloriously decadent and theatrically stunning realization, and the San Francisco Opera's performance has been unanimously acclaimed in both Paris and San Francisco. Samuel Ramey, in the title role, has won both critical and overwhelming popular approval.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sheer splendor, October 30, 2003

By 

ANT "azraelart" (Crofton, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Boito - Mefistofele / Arena, Ramey, Benackova, San Francisco Opera (DVD)

The 1989 performance of the San Francisco Opera's production of Boito's 'Mefistofele' could not have been more brilliant, more vibrant, more beautiful. It was captured well during the original performance and the transfer to DVD was superb. Having not seen the show performed live, I should state that I am at a bit of a loss in that department, but having seen enough operas live in my days and having recorded them as well, I can safely say that this particular DVD is well worth the money.

Ramey's performance is without question phenomenal. The supporting cast shines as well, but in contrast they are merely props to his indomitable presence on stage. He owns the role and he steals the show.

The staging, lighting, set design, choreography, and costuming are without a doubt some of the best opera has ever seen or will ever see. If ever a company could capture both the choirs and angels in heaven and the sin and vice on earth so perfectly, the SanFran Opera Co outperforms on all levels.

The sound quality on the DVD is excellent and the picture was great. Overall, any and all opera fans should add this one to their collection. For that matter, any and all stage/theater fans should pick this one up, as well. You will not be disappointed.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Opera Films of all time, April 20, 2005

By 

Martin W. Eldred (Eagle River, AK United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Boito - Mefistofele / Arena, Ramey, Benackova, San Francisco Opera (DVD)

This is one of my top five operas of all time. Boito may not have been Verdi, but this one opera has some of the most powerful, sublime, and tear-jerking beauty of any opera-period. What make's Boito's Faust/Mefistofele story different is that the central character is the title character. It's a story about the struggles of the devil, more than the moral and philosophical wrestling's o Faust. Boito's Mefistofele is almost human in his pathos. He defeat at the end is highlighted by the real betrayal he feels, both by Faust and, more importantly, by God.

That being said, this is also a fantastic presentation wonderfully captured on DVD. It's over the top at times because the opera is over the top, in that beautiful late Romanticism. Ramey is superb, as is Benackova and even Arena as Faust (he really is very good, I only qualify my praise since in both of my CD versions, Domingo is the tenor-a tough act to follow, but Arena does a great job).

Samuel Ramey does a great job with the title character. This is a very difficult role for any bass to sing, but to sing well takes an extra special voice and dramatic talent. Few have mastered this role. I have listened to many of the historic recordings of this opera (either whole or highlights) and in my opinion, only two basses, Ramey and the late Norman Treigle have really captured the raw sensuality that this role demands without sacrificing the beauty of the vocal part. In that sense, Treigle was this role. He championed it, and it was his signature role. It's a pity we don not have film of him performing this opera-- I understand the sexuality he brought to the role was pretty controversial in New York in the late 1960's. But for power and sex, Ramey's no slouch. He demonstrates a sarcastic, sensual sophisticate quality that makes this devil at bit more likeable, and all the more evil that the stereotypical man in the red-union suit. I love the scene in the final, where he is drinking whiskey from the bottle, smoking and throwing cards into a hat, while he waits for Faust to make up his mind. That is a great bit of staging that adds so much to this opera.

Overall, this is a great production, wonderfully staged and recorded. It would make a wonderful addition to any opera collection.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Devilishly good, November 19, 2001

By 

D. A. Morgan (UK) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Boito - Mefistofele / Arena, Ramey, Benackova, San Francisco Opera (DVD)

This DVD puts my old (much played) VHS copy in the shade; colours and picture definition are good and the soundtrack is superb, especially in the climactic moments when the grandeur of the piece is quite overwhelming. Maurizio Arena propels the music along nicely while the principals (Ramey in particular) do a fine job on stage. The stage design is eclectic but, unlike so many operas produced today, the drama is complemented rather than compromised. But it is Ramey's night; I've never heard or seen him in such commanding form. Benackova as Margarita/Elena sings well, too, and Dennis O'Neill is a competent Faust. Full marks, too, to the members of the chorus, especially in the deliciously gaudy Sabbath scene - a real show stopper. Last but not least, all praise to veteran video director Brian Large who instinctively frames the action perfectly. A must for every opera lover's collection, so don't hesitate!