Customer Reviews

Tchaikovsky - The Queen of Spades - The Bolshoi Opera [VHS]

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

 

 

I have seen this production in the Bolshoi two weeks ago. Of course there was a different cast and conductor (Mark Ermler, instead of Yuriy Simonov). The video fails to demonstrate all the wonderfull aspects of this production. The cameras almost allways focus on the soloists, therefore you can not appreciate the sets, which are by the way great. Simonov conducts the opera with passion, but I prefer the slower tempos of Ermler. Atantov (Herman)looks younger (and better) in 1999 then in 1983, but he is, I must say the best Herman I heard. Milashkina seems a little to sentimental, but sings with care and passion. Obraztsova is superb. She is the greatest possible countess. Finaly, Yury Mazurok is the most handsome, the most aristocratic Yeletskiy ever. To that we add that he has one of the world's best baritones. You are especialy fond of him when you hear the "modern" baritones (as Hvorostovskiy). The Tomskiy of Yury Grigoryev is a little week, but he does not ruin the performance. Lyudmila Shemchuk is a great Pouline, while the smaller roles are all done with care.