Customer Reviews

Mascagni - Cavalleria Rusticana [VHS]

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

 

 

"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!

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.

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.

I fully agree with the review which was written 9/3/99 from Summit NJ. Even a newcomer to Opera would have to Love this one.

Agree with the 9/3/99 review except I like Zeffirelli better than Coppola and Domingo's wig was truly awful in this production. His hair was perfect so why they made him wear a wig is a mystery and unfortunately I found it distracting throughout the film. Otherwise, it is the very best available. The music is devine, passionatly performed. The wig can be forgiven.

The greatest opera ever composed. Why is it not available in DVD?