Product Details

• Actors: Franco Zeffirelli, Elana Obraztsova, Plácido Domingo, Renato Bruson, Fedora Barbieri
• Format: Classical, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Philips
• VHS Release Date: May 15, 1991
• Run Time: 70 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301714679
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,293 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent!, September 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mascagni - Cavalleria Rusticana [VHS] (VHS Tape)

"Cavalleria Rusticana" represents one of the great ironies of opera: an ugly, "realistic" story set within some of the most beautiful music ever composed for opera. Franco Zeffirelli's magnificent production resolves some of this contraditiction by filming the opera on-site in Sicily, which reduces the staginess of the emotionally charged story and honors the "realismo" that Pietro Mascagni intended. Zeffirelli is a great director, and he can stand with Francis Coppola in his brilliant, unstinting use of detail to help the viewer leap through time and space. His evocation of 19th century Sicily is breath-taking: the Easter mass ("Ineggiamo il Signor non e Morto"),is a scene of transcendent power: with its thousands of people and period costumes, it is as authentic-looking and transforming as the Havana sequence in "Godfather Part II" and does justice to the brilliant score. Placido Domingo is fine as Turridu, and Elena Obrazstova brings a steely determination to the much-abused Santuzza. The Scala chorus adds power and inspiration to a great musical experience. Splendid!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This title is now available on DVD, July 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Mascagni - Cavalleria Rusticana [VHS] (VHS Tape)

It is not immediately obvious (it doesn't come up as an alternate format), but this work is now available in a DVD edition, which has been re-mastered to 5.1 digital sound.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent, A great opera story ever told , Viva Mascagni, May 9, 2003

By 

"thanda" (Durban, South Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mascagni - Cavalleria Rusticana [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I have seen this video more than three times & each time i see it, it has the same impact on me. The feeling of beauty, tragedy. The way the artists potray the characters is truly superb. My favourate scenes is between the Tiruddu & Santuzza. The song 'No no Tiruddu' is done so well. also the intermezzo. Thelast act my Domingo 'Mama....."saying goodbye to her mother before the fight with Alfio ofcourse he dies at the end. The woman who shouts "Somebody has killed Tiruddu" in Italian is such a thrill & has become so familiar with many movie goers especially "the God Father part 3" saga. This is a great video to own.Obrastva & Domingo have never sounded so good. I also like Alfio's voice with his whip at the beginning of the film when he enters the market & everyone sorrounds him to listen. Buy this one U wont regret.