Product Details

• Actors: Rolando Villazon, Nino Machaidze, Mikhail Petrenko, Russell Braun, Cora Burggraaf
• Directors: Bartlett Sher, Brian Large
• Writers: Charles Gounod
• Format: Classical, Color, DTS Surround Sound
• Language: French (PCM Stereo)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Deutsche Grammophon
• DVD Release Date: March 10, 2009
• Run Time: 162 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001LMSP2G
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #62,609 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • #95 in Movies & TV > Blu-ray > Performing Arts

Editorial Reviews

The sensational hit of Salzburg's 2008 festival season arrives on Blu-Ray! Starring tenor Rolando Villazón in a stunning performance, this was the must-have ticket of the season. Soprano Nino Machaidze, only 25 years old, burst upon the Salzburg stage with an emotionally vulnerable and vocally spectacular performance. With movie star good looks and a large, warm voice, Machaidze wowed the press and audiences alike. Tony Award winner (South Pacific) Bartlett Sher directs the stunning production of Gounod's classic opera. With sets by Michael Yeargan and costumes by Catherine Zuber, the visually vibrant production is sure to become the benchmark. Bonus materials includes "Salzburg Impressions--Behind the Scenes of Roméo et Juliette," "Love and Death in Verona" and Villazón giving an introduction to the opera. Experience opera in the highest quality possible.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Courageous Rolando not on top, October 7, 2009

By 

christian engel "donatus" (copenhagen) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Charles Gounod: Roméo et Juliette [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray)

Rolando Villazon poures his heart into every role he sings but sometimes it's just a little bit too much. He is 100% all the time from start to end and this makes the climaxes in the drama and music vanish. I would wish he could economize with his dramatic gestures and acting, and then let go in the big scenes. Gounod's score has enough drama and high voltage music already.
The same with his singing. I think his 100% attitude has damaged him vocally. He sounds strained in this production, he omits some top notes in the third and fifth act and sometimes hides behind Machaidzes voice in the duets. Occasionally he shouts more than he sings. Machaidze has a very large secure voice and looks a bit like Netrebko, but without her charisma and charm.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant production - a must have for opera lovers, May 11, 2009

By 

Mr. John A. Coulson "Tassie Devil" (Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Charles Gounod: Roméo et Juliette [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray)

Gounod - Romeo et Juliette / Mackerras, Alagna, Vaduva, Royal Opera Covent Garden
An excellent recording from all points of view - technically, artistic singing and acting, costumes ....
One of the best tributes which can be given to this opera performance is to be able to find it rivetting despite being fully familiar with the story. Nino Machaidze singing Juliette is a real find. Not only beautiful to look at, she has a superb and powerful voice and acts the part to perfection. Rolando Villazon partners her as Romeo and puts his heart and soul into the role. The rest of the cast are also very strong to make Gounod's Romeo and Juliette extremely musically satisfying. The fight scenes are brilliantly choreographed and very dramatic. The same set is cleverly used throughout and the costumes are brilliant. No apologies for such a rave review as this production is truly exceptional. If you love opera, this is a MUST for your collection.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent except for staging., January 28, 2010

By 

A. BOSS "AEB" (Mountainside, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Charles Gounod: Roméo et Juliette [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray)

Singing, music, acting, costumes, & BD technology are all excellent. Unfortunately, the staging tried too hard to be creative. The single set for all acts, even though the lighting was effective, did not fit any of the acts well. (ie. The elevated center part of the stage was too big for the bed in Juliet's bedroom scene, but served no useful purpose in the other scenes.) Also, I don't agree with the directors that feel there must be stage action during overtures and preludes. Since the (mis)direction was not as intrusive as some I have seen, I still give 5 stars in spite of the staging.