A Night at the Opera (30th Anniversary Coll. Ed) [CD/DVD Combo] [Collector's Edition, Original recording remastered]

Queen | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 22, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Collector's Edition, Original recording remastered
• Label: Hollywood Records
• ASIN: B000BLI3WK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,853 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #92 in Music > Classic Rock > Supergroups
  • #92 in Music > Hard Rock & Metal > British Metal

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Nothing succeeds like excess--at least that's the case with Queen's breakthrough classic, A Night at the Opera. On one level, the title is a reference to the band's operatic pretensions, best in evidence here on the classic "Bohemian Rhapsody," which was championed by headbangers a generation before being revived by the Wayne's World set. Of course, A Night at the Opera was also the title of a Marx Brothers movie, and the reference isn't lost on Queen, who seldom scaled the heights of pomprock without a knowing wink. The album is remembered for its meticulously produced bombast, but the truth is that there's a wide variety of material here, from the gorgeous piano-based "You're My Best Friend" and the McCartneyesque "39" to the music-hall-style "Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon" and the pedal-to-the-metal rockers "Death on Two Legs" and "I'm in Love with My Car." A Night at the Opera is viewed by most as the quintessential Queen album, and justifiably so. --Daniel Durchholz

Product Description

A landmark release, this special edition features both the new CD and DVD formats of the album completely restored from original analogue tapes and digitally re-mastered by Bob Ludwig, in both stereo and 5.1 surround sound. As well as the original 1975 videos for 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and 'You're My Best Friend', the DVD also contains brand new video footage for the other 10 tracks, along with archive audio commentary from all four members of Queen, including the late Freddie Mercury.

As Queen guitarist Brian May explains in the new liner notes: "Months of craftsmanship by true perfectionists have gone into wringing every ounce out of the original master recordings and into this hitherto unequalled 'high definition' domain. Never has the recording been so carefully balanced, so carefully cleansed of clicks and pops from so many sources, some of which were even present on the original mix master tapes. In the stereo sound on this DVD, every nuance of the analogue character of these human-made mixes is more faithfully reproduced here than ever before. In addition, for the surround track, a whole set of 5.1 mixes has been created from microscopically accurate digital sound files, mirroring the original multitrack tapes. For the first time this includes a new surround mix of the final track 'God Save the Queen', and some improvements to the surround mixes previously issued to a small audience on the DTS DVD-Audio release."

May continues: "This DVD also features for the first time visuals for every track on the album ­ some, like the original 'Bohemian Rhapsody' video, carefully digitally restored and re-graded, and some, like the stunning new video for 'Good Company', created especially for this release. There are also some special commentaries, ancient and modern, from all four Queen members on facets of the tracks, and... yes, this is quite simply the best 'Night At The Opera' ever produced. I doubt if it can ever be bettered!"

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5.1 Reasons, February 17, 2006

By 

Gavin Clifford (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Night at the Opera (30th Anniversary Coll. Ed) [CD/DVD Combo] (Audio CD)

Loving 70s Queen so much, I always fantasised about "remixed" releases, not just "remastered" ones. A lot of the 70s production for Queen lacks the necessary balls - and because they were so clever with so many different layers, brilliant ideas sometimes seem to become lost or compressed into a 'tight' space.

This DVD has obliterated this problem. Listening to the DTS 5.1 DVD (especially after knowing the album in a certain form for so long) was for me, akin to a religious experience. From the thundering drums of "Death on Two Legs", to the swirling Freddie in the middle of "The Prophet Song", the Queen fan is immersed in a wash of brilliance, elegance and rock from all directions. I wasn't aware of the original instrument tracks being available for them to produce such a release so on hearing this, my excitement about the band has started all over again.

The reviewer here who says not to buy this because the video footage is crap must not have heard the DTS mix with 5.1 speakers around him - he simply would not have said such a thing if he had. The video is secondary here - I actually love it, but of course it's about the aural experience.

Be ready to transcend to another level in your musical experience.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning Surround Sound, May 11, 2007

By 

gnagfloW (Rosa Barks) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Night at the Opera (30th Anniversary Coll. Ed) [CD/DVD Combo] (Audio CD)

I wasn't sure whether I should buy this version or not. I already had an earlier version in my collection but rave reviews, and the fact that A Night at the Opera is among my favorites through the years, convinced me to buy this updated version.

The re-mastering job on the CD version is great. The sound on the DVD version is, however, nothing less than stunning. The intro of Death on Two Legs gives an indication what is in store. When the drums roar during the chorus in the back speakers, there is no question about it, this is a bonanza sound experience. Most of the album sound wise is a roller coaster ride and with the great music accompanying it, this is a most buy.

The videos are mostly old Queen live footage, plus the videos originally shot for the singles. Some reviewers have given negative remarks about them but despite some problems with sound and sight being out of sync, I find the outcome being as good as it can be considering the limited options. God Save the Queen, with recent Brian May footage during the beginning and at the end Freddie walking of stage, is a very fitting finale of this set.

The packaging is extravagant, exemplifying the great detail put into this re-release. Much pride is inherent in this set and I recommend buying it, even if one may own an older version.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The DVD is underrated, The restored album sounds great, June 16, 2006

By 

Vinnie Streep "Vin" (West ,MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Night at the Opera (30th Anniversary Coll. Ed) [CD/DVD Combo] (Audio CD)

Despite what other reviewers have said, the DVD is great. It has all the tracks on the album and they are really cool to see on video for the first time. By the way, the making of ANATO is a fine addition to this collection. The DVD also provides very interesting commentary by all four members. The album itself ofcourse is great and sounds alot better. It is truely a classic containing all good or great songs.