Customer Reviews

Charles Gounod: Roméo et Juliette [Blu-ray]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Nino Machaidze is a superb Juliet. She has a wonderful voice and is great to look at. A totally convincing performance. The staging was a little limited but did not distract from the overall presentation. I will watch this opera over and aver again. Well worth owning.

I watch operas on a 106" screen with a 7.1 surround setup for music and have watched this opera a few times now.
Picture quality is fine, as with most blu rays.
The soundstage could be a bit wider. It exceeds the front corner speakers by may be a foot. The applause comes from front and sides. Overall, it gives you the impression of sitting somewhere around row 10. A wider soundstage puts you more up front, which I prefer.
Most operas have the voices of the principal singers move along with their bodies on stage. Here, the voices are sent to the center with no left/right movement. The video direction keeps the principals 98% of the time centered, so audio and video go together and I got used to it, although I prefer it the other way.
Orchestra, chorus and principals are very well recorded and well balanced. The orchestra never drowns the voices. I liked all the principals, and Machaidze is the star. Villazon might be overacting a bit at some scenes, but better than underacting. The two did make a believable couple for me. (I could have done without the rape scene in the beginning, Lord Capulet hitting Tibald and some other stage effects.)
So besides the few shortcomings, I still give it 5 stars for the overall quality of sound recording, orchestra playing, singing and acting.

Absolutely one of the best opera productions I have seen. Machaidze is the best soprano since Sutherland. And she can act. Villazon's voice is probably the best I have heard him yet. The conductor from Canada is young but quite frankly, a total musician and one of the best. BluRay picture is incredible.

I was amazed at the production values, considering, the Von Trapp Singers sang there prior to their departure from the Nazi's, because the stage area is not conducive for theatricals/opera.
This was an original and delightful and masterfully executed production.
For me,I knew of none of the performers, but after this I shall never forget them.
Ingenuity in production, and even more clever was the direction.
8 out of 5 stars. The BluRay is exceptionally well recorded.