Customer Reviews

Giordano - Fedora / Freni, Domingo, Croft, Arteta, Thibaudet, Abbado, Metropolitan Opera

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

love this opera. I wish that the soprano had a great, big aria but she does have a few smaller ones that are ok.
Mirella Freni is so close to my heart that I never could say anything bad about her. She seems to have found the fountain of youth, singing grandly, if without the high C in the duet that closes act II (she sang it on the pirate recording from La Scala). Who cares when she does everything so well.
I heard her in the role (live) at Washington DC opera back in '98. I've heard Jane Eaglen in Seattle several times and, unless the size of the house is part of it, Mirella Freni has no smaller voice than Eaglen. Freni is truly a spinto-dramatic soprano. Thankfully, she moved slowly from lighter roles to some of the heaviest dramatic Italian roles. She is less at home in this production than in Washington. Domingo (who gives and astonishing, wonderful performance) is more at home in this production than in Washington. I love Arteta and Croft. This is meaty stuff with Mirella Freni getting a 17 minute ovation, audience having banners for her and getting a "key to New York" from the Mayor. Enjoy!

Once again Deutsche Grammophon and the Met have supplied us with not just a good performance but a great one in the nature of Umberto Giordano's "Fedora" - not an opera you see much these days but one that is well worth the price of the DVD. It seems that Deutsche Grammaphon and the Met are setting the bar for how all opera DVD's should be released: they always have an all star cast, the stage direction and scenery is wonderful and the orchestra is always working hand-in-hand with the singers (I know some of this can be manipulated in the engineering of the disc but it still works wonderfully). The cast of Placido Domingo as Loris, Mirella Freni as Fedora, Dwayne Croft as De Siriex and Olga Sukarew as Ainhow Arteta were outstanding. They all maintained great voice throughout the performance and supplied as great acting as well. The costumes and set design were all period pieces and done well. Mr. Domingo's Act II Amor ti Vieta was in typical Domingo fashion - flawless, heartfelt and classy. As I have mentioned before his voice is an instrument we may not see the likes of for a very long time. Ms. Freni simply owned the stage when she was on it and was warmly received by a long ovation once she made her appearance. We were also treated to Jean-Yves Thibaudet giving us an Act II piano solo that was wonderful.
Overall the entire performance from beginning to the final bows was exceptional. Clocking in at 108 minutes this is a perfect performance to and watch without feeling as if you need to commit an entire evening. It also allows you to listen in DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 or PCM Stereo. You can only rave so much about a near-perfect DVD, and so I will end with what has been stated. It's a great buy. JG

This is not a classic opera, for sure -- but BUY THIS for the singing. I can't find anything to nitpick at and that's unusual for me. The singing, production, direction, conducting all seem to be right on the mark. Domingo and Freni have always been 2 of my favorite singers but here we have preserved what in my view is the performance of a lifetime. It all seems so real. Their scene in the last part of Acts 2 & 3 are worth the price of the DVD alone.

You can tell here that Giordano was still stuck in the old way of making opera, thank God. This is Mirella's feast and she makes the most of it. But Placy does upstage her. He's got the better aria - and the crowd goes on and on and on. Traditional MET production, but it looks pretty expensive - no cheap job. I wouldn't say that Fedora will ever replace Andrea Chenier - but it is worth a look from time to time - now with such a good production. The only studio CD was a squaller with Magda Olivera and Mario del Monaco. His shouting was just too much to take. And while she isn't usually a shouter I think she felt she better belt it out to keep up with him. None of that here - just two great singers having it out.

I really enjoyed this opera. It has a great story line to it. Mirella Freni and Placido Domingo are just wonderful. The singing is superb,great audio and production. Mirella Freni gets a special presentation,which can be seen. She truly is a Star of Stars. She is just fantastic vocally and acting. English subtitles. 5 stars isn't enough. Just watch the applause at the end. It was so moving to watch a display like that for a true artist. I've never seen that much affection for an artist in any opera. Truly worth the purchase. Highly Recommended!!!

Not much I can add to the reviews here on this excellent performance of a good opera, except that I think special mention of the superlative conducting of Roberto Abbado should be made. He had great command of the orchestra and added an extra dimension to compliment the talents of Domingo, Freni, Arteta and Croft.

It would be hard to imagine a better production and performance of this creaky melodrama than this. Both Freni and Domingo were at the height of their vocal and histrionic powers when the Met borrowed the production of this museum piece from Gran Teatre del Liceu (Barcelona) as a vehicle for them and it is considerably enhanced by a fine supporting cast, including the pianist Jean-Ives Thibaudet and the vigorous conducting of the young Roberto Abbado

Don't miss this fine production of Giordano's Fedora. Rarely performed, but brought to sparkling life by the Met in 1996, it is now reproduced on a DVD. Not only were they wise enough to use the production of the Gran Teatro Del Liceu in Barcelona, which is magnificent, but they enticed Mirella Freni and Placido Domingo to sing the lead roles. These singers are well matched with their mature, elegant, rich voices. Dwayne Croft and Jean-Yves Thibaudet complement them to perfection. It is such a thrill to enjoy a nicely put together performance of this melodrama one never gets to see "live".

Placido Domingo, perhaps the greatest tenor of this quarter-century, shines as the lover. Mirella Freni is a tad old for her role, but her voice is substantial. The production is beautifully staged, and this DVD is a wise purchase. Enjoy!

I really like Fedora on CD not on DVD....It gives me a chance to by pass most of this dull opera and pretend there's something going on. There are some terrific theatrical moments, the duet being among them.
What makes things even worse is this dvd. Domingo stales the show with a performance filled with passion and commitment.
I certainly don't mind Freni's age but she appears so matronly and lacks any sense of character. She has no interest in this music. Honestly I don't see how when this music is so second rate anyway.
Freni was never one to really act with the voice. I was at her debut at The Met.