Customer Reviews

Mascagni - Cavalleria Rusticana / Leoncavallo - Pagliacci

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

 

 

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!!!

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.

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.

Pagliacci (or "Bajazzo" as we say in Norway) is my favorite opera, and I think it will always be. This opera is so special for me, because it was the first opera I was introduced to, and Pagliacci made me like opera.
And nothing can compare to the music!

Since most of the CD's of Pagliacci comes with "Cavallieria Rusticana", I have started to like that to, but it's not my favorite.

When it comes to this movie version, it's not exactly how I expected it to be.
I can't complain about the casting, yet, I think Pavarotti is a better Canio than Domingo.

But the thing that bothers me, is especially in the overture/prologue and the first scene.
All the people on the stage are talking and shouting, and that disturbs that, in my opinion, holy music!

I haven't watched the whole Cav.Rus yet, but I watched Pag. many times, and I never get tired of it.

It could be better, but it's a great buy!

I took an opera class recently and we saw so many operas. These two among all of them are my favorite. We first saw it on dvd, then we went to see a rehearsal at the San Francisco Opera house, then saw it again about a week later! I never get tired of these two operas. There is such passion and emotion in the music. It gives me goosebumps every time i see it or hear itand i cannot contain my own emotions. The translation is great, they really help you understand what is going on in case you dont speak the language. These operas are absolutely amazing. They changes you. This is what opera is all about. I highly highly reccommend this. If you like music, you'll love this!!

As you have probably noticed, Pagliacci is paired on this DVD with Cavalleria Rusticana. This is very appropriate because they are both short operas, by contemporary composers, both here directed for film by Franco Zeffirelli, and both dealing with the deadly results of jealousy.

In Pagliacci, Placido Domingo, as Canio, is caught up in the inexorable action to kill his wife Nedda (Teresa Stratas) for her infidelity. Both singers show off their refined and superlative singing and acting abilities. Juan Pons equals them in voice as he sets the machine in motion to kill the woman who has rejected him.

In Pagliacci, it's the jealous husband. In Cavalleria Rusticana, it's the female lead, Santuzza (Elena Obraztsova) who sets the wheels of death into motion. Cavalleria is known for the beautiful strings of the Intermezzo, that produce the musical warmth for which this work is chiefly known.

Renato Bruson portrays Alfio, the wronged husband with an Arnold Schwarzenegger "Terminator-like" attitude that makes him merely a puppet of the laws of cavalleria rusticana, a sort of country justice. Both short operas end in a non-stop, wild, downhill sled-ride to an inevitable crash that will leave you breathless!

Beautiful Italian countryside complements the consummate staging and costumes. Time will stand still as you watch Placido's rendition of "Vesti la giubba." I can't imagine a better Pagliacci--share it with friends!

I am also disappointed in this rendition, technically speaking. Much different from Zefirelli's Traviata, which was, to me, quite satisfying. For a definitive traditional PAGLIACCI, find the VHS version (not yet on DVD) where Tito Gobbi and Afro Poli render an unforgettable performance (B&W, of course, 1948 vintage). A plus: Gina Lollobrigida plays Nedda/Colombina although, of course, she does not actually sing.

This product is represented as a list price of $29.98 but is offered at a low price of $89!! Maybe this is some sort of reverse logic. Secondly, the product is defective -- at least mine was. The picture constantly breaks up into digitized squares, particularl;y when the camera pans. Very amateurish. Makes you wonder about the source of the product.

And for those opera buffs who like traditional opera (i.e., a staged production -- not a film) please be aware that these two operas are FILMS. Therefore, they give you no idea how the composers intended for the operas to be presented on stage. I also expected a live performance at La Scala and would have liked to see the orchestra play, as well as audience reaction. It's non-existent because these are films.