Product Details

• Actors: Luciano Pavarotti
• Directors: Nicola Rescigno
• Format: Classical, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: Italian (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: German, English, French, Italian, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Decca
• DVD Release Date: April 8, 2008
• Run Time: 132 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000YCLRAG
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #67,552 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • #59 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Languages > Italian
• For more information about "Donizetti: L'elisir D'amore" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

DONIZETTI:L'ELISIR D'AMORE - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A heartwarming show!, December 2, 2004

By 

PennsylvaniaMartha - See all my reviews

This review is from: Donizetti - L'Elisir d'Amore / Rescigno, Pavarotti, Blegen, Metropolitan Opera (DVD)

If, like me, you love Pavarotti but are used to seeing the older man who can hardly move, you will find it a great pleasure just to see him literally bouncing around the stage here! It's worth the price just for that cheerful sight! He is absolutely perfect as the lovestruck and touchingly gullible country bumpkin, and it's plain to see that he loves playing as well as singing this part. He perfectly portrays the suffering, the strength, and the simple dignity of Nemorino, as well as his humorous and lovable side. And he's in terrific voice here!

The rest of the cast is also excellent and the ensemble singing is absolutely fabulous. For me, there were no weak links in this performance.

The opera is staged in a traditional manner without overly elaborate or overly realistic sets. It won't be everybody's cup of tea, but I find it charming and exactly suitable to Donizetti's style. The sound and the camera work can be uneven (that's why 4 and not 5 stars) but that is, unfortunately, pretty common in these films of staged performances, and it doesn't detract from my enjoyment of the show; I just adjust the volume up and down as needed.

This is the DVD to own for those times when you want to be swept away by the beauty of great opera music, but don't want to end up weeping -- yep, the hero and heroine both live to the end! Like I said at the beginning: it's simply heartwarming!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good show, November 1, 2004

By 

figaro "jacoba" (Eugene, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Donizetti - L'Elisir d'Amore / Rescigno, Pavarotti, Blegen, Metropolitan Opera (DVD)

Although tempted to give this one five stars, I will say that although Pavarotti is definitely in better shape than we see him in later videos, some might still find him too chubby for the role and also his acting still leaves some to be desired. That aside, his singing is superb, and his acting is the best you generally get from him. I personally find him enjoyable enough for the role visually, and well, downright endearing. All the other cast members are a delight. My favorite is the late great buffo, Sesto Bruscantini - very famous in earlier decades - a once practicing lawyer, who knew over 100 opera roles. His comic timing is absolutely perfect as Dulcamara, and the Metropolitan Opera sets for this production are very engaging with Dr. Dulcamara coming down in a hot-air balloon. It's a terrific show all-around. As long as you are not a Pavarotti-hater, you will be very pleased with this DVD.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, December 17, 2008

By 

dee1153 (Shreveport, LA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Donizetti: L'elisir D'amore (DVD)

Love this one!!!

This is the role that Pavarotti most identified with and it shows. He is absolutely magnificent. From his first aria, "Quanto è bella," to "Una Furtiva Lagrima," his voice is pure perfection. Not only that, but his acting is superb and his comic timing is right on the mark. He is young, limber and energetic in this version. This opera reminds us of why he was the golden tenor of a generation and the greatest voice of the century. If I could give it 10 stars, I would. Highly, highly recommended.