Customer Reviews

Sutherland, Horne & Bonynge Gala Concert / Joan Sutherland, Marilyn Horne, Richard Bonynge

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

 

 

This should have been a great concert DVD since Sutherland, Horne, and Bonynge are amoung the best of their time. Unfortunately, the video and audio looked and sounded like 1960s TV (it was actually recorded in the mid 1980s) with mostly out-of-focus video (it appears that the problem was a very shallow depth-of-field since the extreme closeups were more in focus)and dolby stereo (2.0) that sounded more like some of my old analog LPs than a digital recording. Its too bad they didn't digitally remaster the concert.

This wonderful concert reminds those of us fortunate enough to have heard these singers in person of the excitement their outstanding vocalism alone was able to generate. Highpoints here are the fiendishly difficult duets from "Semiramide" and "Norma," both of which are sung almost to perfection. Horne is in her absolute vocal prime, moving with ease from lush, long-held low notes to fleet coloratura passages. Sutherland is somewhat past her prime. Consequently, her very highest notes are noticeably thin here, and her release from held notes sometimes has her slipping from pitch. Nevertheless, these are small faults when taken in conjunction with her still mostly present, extraordinary elasticity and power in taking on such demanding duets and arias. Altogether, this concert amounts to a grand night of singing.

I first heard this Gala Concert on KDFC radio when I lived in Berkeley! I recorded it on cassette and wore the tape out! I was fortunate to see the two of them in "Norma" at the San Francisco Opera in the mid 1980's (about the time of this Gala). I agree with Stanley H. Nemeth that Marilyn Horne was absolutely in her prime, but I guess I am not as discriminating a listener as I wasn't bothered by Joan Sutherland and her high notes. I purchased this DVD several years ago from (I believe) Amazon in Australia. Unfortunately it is a Region 2 DVD so I can't share it with others. However, I believe the audio and video are both better on this version than A. BOSS "AEB" stated. As an aside, my wife and I went with a group from the Metropolitan Opera Guild to the vocal portion of the Music Academy of the West (Santa Barbara, CA) Summer festival for young musicians. One of the big draws for us was Marilyn Horne, who is the host for the vocal portion. We not only got to meet Marilyn, but we had dinner with her (only 16 of us) and attended a cocktail party and recital (by two of the former students at the Academy). She is as gracious and delightful to be with as her reputation states.

Sydney, June 12 1985. Marylyn Horne, Joan Sutherland (in memoriam) and Richard Bonynge ignited the stage with this simple but warmth concert gala.

There are several highlights as the duo in Bellini, Hoffman's Barcarolle, Zampa Overture and Rossini Semiramis.

An album to enjoy over and over. Don't miss it.