Customer Reviews

Great Stars of Opera - Telecasts from the Bell Telephone Hour 1959-1966

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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a young opera fan living in a small town in the 1950's and `60's, I eagerly, and impatiently waited for the periodic Bell Telephone Hour television presentations, many of which included the opera stars of the day in arias or scenes. Now, in the age of DVD's, videos, and Live From the Met, it may be difficult for a newer opera fan to understand the impact these performances had when they were originally broadcast. What is not difficult to understand is why the performers on this DVD were counted among the international stars of their generation. These are world-class performances, captured, for the most part, when the singers were at the peak of their careers.

Yes, some of the hair-styles and evening gowns are very dated and some of the acting edges toward semaphore, but it is important to remember that when these performances were broadcast, most opera singers did not have established television technique. They were accustomed to standing on a stage at a great distance from an audience and emoting physically as well as vocally. Rather than criticizing the lapses into histrionic excess - and there really not that many - today's viewers should be amazed that the presentational style is as natural as it is.

Several scenes, Sutherland's technically astonishing and dramatically impressive Mad Scene and Price's intense, gorgeously sung Trovatore aria are fully staged with costumes and elaborate sets; others scenes are in concert form, with the singer in evening dress standing in front of abstract backgrounds or orchestra. Ultimately, however, it is the singing that should, and does, take center stage.
Here is an opportunity to hear a fresh-voiced, dramatically-engaged Birgit Nilson singing one of her signature arias, In Questa Reggia (watch what she does with the cape part of her gown!), to hear Leontyne Price, whom some have called the perfect Verdi singer, in excerpts from two of her acclaimed portrayals, and to hear the lush voice of Eileen Farrell in Isolde's Liebstod. The camera work in Farrell's performance is exceptionally close, catching the depth of feeling in her eyes.
Although the performances are weighted toward sopranos, there is excellent work from tenors Franco Corelli and Richard Tucker as well as from baritone's Robert Merrill and George London who sings an intense scene from Boris Goudonov in English. (One can not help but wonder, in retrospect, if Russian was deemed inappropriate for an American television audience at the height of the cold war.) In one of the few duets (there are no larger ensembles represented here), Simionato and Vickers "eat the scenery" in admirable Italianate style in their Amneris, Radames scene.

The performance by mezzo Rise Stevens is a double bonus, first because there are not as many preserved examples of her performing, and second, because her selection, from Victor Herbert's Natoma is an operatic rarity. Hearing this haunting music performed by a top-notch performer like Miss Stevens will undoubtedly send some opera buffs to the internet to look for more of both.

As an introduction to opera and operatic style, as a retrospective of singers from the second half of the 20th century, or as sheer entertainment, this DVD is a "must." (By the way, navigation is very easy so that one can watch the whole DVD in sequence, or select scenes, one at a time.)

Here are two hours of treasures from the Bell Telephone Hour, aired from 1959 to 1966. These are complete scenes and arias, most staged with costumes and sets typical of 60's television. It contains a dazzling array of opera superstars, many performing scenes from their signature roles: Tebaldi (Butterfly), de los Angeles (Boheme), Richard Tucker (Pagliacci), Corelli and Crespin (Tosca and Ballo), Di Stefano (Manon), Simionato and Vickers (Aida), London (Boris Godunov), and Moffo and Gedda (Traviata).

Joan Sutherland gives a stunning performance of the mad scene from Lucia from the year of her Met debut. The scene is complete from Lucia's entrance to her death, and if there were nothing else on this DVD, this alone would be reason enough to run right out and buy it. Leontyne Price brings her rich, dark voice to D'amor sull'ali rosee (Trovatore) and Ritorna vincitor (Aida), reminding us why she owned these roles thoughout her career. Birgit Nilsson shines In questa reggia (Turandot) and the immolation scene (Gotterdammerung). What a thrill to see Sutherland, Price, and Nilsson in their prime, singing roles for which they set the standard. And what a thrill to see the under-recorded Eileen Farrell singing Isolde's Liebestod, though whoever thought to dress her somewhat like a nun in a pillbox hat and veil should be dealt with severely.

On the down side, some of the acting is of the silent movie variety, but that is easily forgiven given the quality of singing. Robert Merrill and Roberta Peters mar otherwise fine vocalism (Dunque io son from The Barber of Seville) with some pretty competitive mugging, playing more to the camera than to each other. And Rise Stevens sings a rather dull and very long scene from Victor Herbert's Natoma. Still there is a lot to love here. If this DVD is your cup of tea, take a look at Great Moments in Opera from the Ed Sullivan Show too.

This is a true five star historical recording. The only phenomenon missing here is La Divina and Marilyn Horne. But I am thrilled to hear all the other brilliant opera stars of the late 50 to early 60. I think the sound and the picture is more than adequate. The key here is the historical importance of this remarkable collection.

Although I am an on again off again Sutherland fan, I have to say she surpassed my wildest dream in her mad scene here(recorded in 1950? she looked 30ish). Let me just say that this display of coloratura is stunning, it is so sublime, so close to perfection in its accuracy. Just listen to the cadence at the end of the mad scene from "Lucia di Lammermoor", and see what you think. My guess is your jaws will drop, as mine did. Pay special attention to her coloratura skills, and the top notes (above high C? at least). With such bravura, and loveliness of tone, always intact, I have to say that this is the single most bewitching highlight of this extra important collection.

Birgit Nilsson, the quintessential Wagnerian soprano of her time,sings the Immolation scenefrom "Gotterdamerung",splendidly. There is no one around these days who can sing this demanding music with such confidence and ease. Yes, her voice can be cold at times, but accuracy and size of voice is of the highest importance in Wagner in my opinion. I don't think anyone will disagree with me that Nilsson had no rivals in her long career as a dramatic soprano. Her version of the aria from Turandot was fabulous, precision in every respect. Not much emotion, but then, that's Nilsson for ya.

Leontyne Price, a true candidate for the most beautiful voice of the last 50 or so years, was sumptuous in the aria from Travatore. Her voice is like a flag waving. Its vibrato is so captivating. And her tone quality is like no other. I have to say her high notes are as good as it can get, on the same par as Caballe's or Sutherland's. The Ritorna vincitor is very dramatic. It is thrilling, moving, and powerful. Quite a lot to say about a single interpretation of a single aria. but Leontyne was an artist of the highest caliber.

Corelli's rendition of the aria from Tosca was moving. Typical of Corelli, it's full of pathos and he really liked to hold the top notes. But his highlight here is the duet from "Un Ballo in Maschera." Sorry, but he certainly outshines Crespin here. The high notes were vibrant and full. He really was the tenor of his day. Fabulous high notes, much better than Pavorotti, most certainly.

Of course, there are many more highlights here, certainly Eileen Farrell's moving Liebestod and Tucker's heart breaking Vesti la giubba. As you can see, this is a very special collection of some of the best moments of documented opera history.

I love this DVD! The picture is not so great, but I don't care, the remastered sound is sooo much better than the VHS or when PBS shows this footage. Sutherland is amazing! Farrell's artistry is unsurpassed! Leontyne and Tebaldi are beautiful! Even Corelli does some of his best vocal moments. The only disappointment for me was Regine Crespin and that Rise Stevens didn't do a selection from Carmen, because she is one of my favorite mezzos along with Tatiana Troyanos (who is not on this DVD). Did I mention Birgit Nilsson? She makes it all look so easy, including a fabulous high C! I would buy this DVD just for Farrell and Sutherland! This is a great find! Most of the singers are in their prime. This is one of those worthy investments or splurges, however you like to think of it!!

This 2-hour collection of scenes form the very fine Bell Telephone Hour Broadcasts contains enough evidence of a decade of historically superb operatic performance. I lament the lack of singing of this quality today!

If for no other reason, a video documentary of Sutherland's Mad Scene from Lucia from early in her career (1961-the year of her Met debut) is enough reason to buy this DVD. The only early video document of her immortal interpretation of this role is a valuable asset-the only other performances are from late in her career. Two scenes from Madame Butterfly with Renata Tebaldi in quite fine voice add to the value of this collection. Follow this up with the rarely documented performance of "Liebestod" from Eileen Farrell and what more can you ask for? Farrell is amazing-magnetic! Her extraordinarily eyes and magnificent voice draw you completely into the scene. This is the earliest clip (1959) and is a beautiful document of this highly underrated and magnificent singer.

On technical merits, one has to balance the sound and video quality with the source. Compared to the VHS releases of some of these clips (there is some duplication from earlier VHS release, but also a lot that was never released before), the sound and picture are incredibly improved. However, they don't compare to modern sound and video. So what! TV sound was in its infancy as far as broadcasting orchestra and opera. There aren't any performers today to compare to these legends. I agree with another reviewer on the weak performances of Merrill and Stevens, but with the likes of Corelli singing Tosca, there is so much more good than ordinary. If only there were still such programming available today.

I can look past the 1960s sets and costuming and can understand the limitations of early TV sound to see the value in this collection. I don't think my collection would be complete without this DVD.

This is a chance to evaluate Callas, Nilsson, Price, and Sutherland. Where else can you get that.
I'll buy this for the 1962 Lucia mad scene with Dame Joan alone.
And if you think that Dame Joan is great in that mad scene, get her DVD "The Complete Bell Telephone Hour Performances 1961-1968" and the VHS "The Age of Bel Canto". Those are Sutherland's most amazing videos.

This VHS is supreme! Every single great diva and divo are represented. I find the picture and sound very exceptable. In fact, it's very good for that time period.
The highlights are too many to name. But if I was to name a few, it would be Leontyne Price singing the Verdi arias, Nilsson singing "In questa reggio", Franco Corelli, and Sutherland singing the mad scene for Lucia di Lammermoor.
I admit at being speechless after seeing and hearing Dame Joan perform this role in this tape. In all my life, I've never heard such singing of the most difficult music you can imagine. I know she's supposed to be the greatest coloratura of our time, but I never knew she was ever that good. Sorry for going on and on about this one, but gee, this is beyond praise.
Another interesting point is the different style of fashion and makeup the women had in those days. It's just a hoot.
There are some disappintments also, Callas was not what she was supposed to be. Her Vissi D'arte just wasn't that good.
But all in all, I love this tape, I must have played it a dozen times since I bought it a month ago. Bravo.

And the sound and picture is superb, very, very clear picture and the sound is stereo. The singing is magnificent. There are no highlights. Everything is wonderful. Sutherland, Corelli, Farrell, Price and Tebaldi. Who can beat these phenomenal singers?
A cheap price for a huge piece of opera history!

This is the one to get if you're on a budget and want to see and hear the greatest singers of the 20th century in their glorious prime. We all have our favorites. But you can't mention divas without mentioning Price, Nilsson, Tebaldi, and Sutherland. All in top form. It was a real treat to see Price sing her Verdi arias so gloriously. She was certainly one of my favorite divas of all time. But then I also think Tebaldi is a contender for the voice of the century. Everyone knows that Nilsson is the Wagnerian soprano of the Century, but can she beat out Joan Sutherland, which mad scene from Lucia may well be one of the most astonishing thing ever to be put on tape. On the male side, my wife went crazy about Franco Corelli's drop dead gorgeous movie star looks. She keeps rewinding that portion of the DVD. I have to admit he is a good looking guy, but I'm more impressed with his superhuman tenor voice. He is probably the tenor of the Century along with Mario Del Monaco.
This is a thrilling opera potpouri that my wife and I can't stop watching. If it was a tape, we would have worn it out months ago! I give it 10 stars!

Allow me to get my 2 negative comments out of the way. 1.The disappointing visual transfer to dvd format.2.The hatchet job done on the 20 minute finale of Wagner's Gotterdammerung.It was condensed into a 2 minute snip-it. As a devoute of the great Birgit Nilson,I was teed off to say the least. That said,on to the kudos.
The roster of artists is an impressive one.The vocal selections are some of the greatest ever written. I have a newfound respect for 2 singers I previously thought overrated, Franco Correlli & Renata Tebaldi.I found each vocally thrilling!
The vocal phenomenon Leontyne Price did not disappoint.Her throne is a secure one. Her vocal superiority will never be surpassed. She is particularly radiant in the Aida segment.
I feel fortunate to own this epitaph to the amazing artistry of these great singers. I can't wait to order the Vol.2!