25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Alive!, February 14, 2002
This review is from: Mascagni - Cavalleria Rusticana / Leoncavallo - Pagliacci (DVD)
The two opera twins have come alive with this magnificient Franco Zeffirelli production. I think that "amazing" is the only words that can actually describe them. From beginning to end, it is a series of wonderful extraordinary sets. (you should see them especially in Cavalleria Rusticana...incredible).
Well...Ok...Zeffirelli amazes us! But that's not all...The singers.....better than the amazing set.
The Leader is Placido Domingo. As in a lot of his opera movies he sings greatly. And since I mentioned that this is an opera movie, I should give this great tenor credits for his acting. Better than a real hollywood actor. He gives the two caracters (especially Canio) their real domensions like no one has never done. Domingo is more powerful than Bergonzi and more passionate than Del Monaco (other 2 expetional Canios). This tenor is a miracle!
Next comes stratas (Nedda). Well...honestly her voice wasn't always very clear..sometimes too low...but again a great sensational actress with a gorgeous vocie...bravo!
Renato Bruson is also a very good virile Alfio.
I did not love santuzza...I think others might have been better..
On the top of all this list comes George Pretre! He conducts La Scala's orchestra like a master..(he IS a master).
One distracting thing that I have to note in Pagliacci. The public supposed to view the scene in the 2nd act is always chattering...probably wanted by the director to show realism..but I have to admit it IS quite annoying!
Believe me, when Pagliacci will end (with the "la commedia e finita" given back to Tonio (juan Pons who is very very good by the way)) you will be shouting like the rest of the people inside the opera.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
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16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magnificent Master Pieces, May 1, 2002
This review is from: Mascagni - Cavalleria Rusticana / Leoncavallo - Pagliacci (DVD)
Both Leoncavallo and Mascagni submitted their repective works to a famous prize competition in 1890. Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci" and Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana were rejected as The Milanese Publishers was seeking one-act operas only. Both composers adjusted their respective works to one-act operas and were later accepted. Today, Pagliacci is presented as "opera in un prologo e due atti". In the prologue, Tonio explains what the audience will see on stage, is a true representation of life. But the audience will wonder whether is Nedda or Colombina or Canio or Pagliaccio displaying rage, jealousy, fear, revange and homocidal thoughts on the stage. Are they just acting or are they really feuding? This literary approach known as Comedia del Arte in early Italy, was used by Leoncavallo which keeps the audience guessing: Is this part of the play or is it real?
The acting, singing and stage production are flawless. The dvd has been re-mastered to 5.1 digital sound. The picture is 5 plus and so is the quality of sound. If you are an opera lover like me, this dvd must be in your library.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The "GREAT EXPERTS" may differ, but I like both operas., July 16, 2005
This review is from: Mascagni - Cavalleria Rusticana / Leoncavallo - Pagliacci (DVD)
As an old country boy from the south end of Texas I sometimes fear that grand opera may not survive as an art form. Productions like this one encourage me to believe that it will. I would beg to differ with any of the GREAT EXPERTS who might consider the performance of Juan Pons in Pagliacci to be anything less than magnificent.
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