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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great music, singing overcome messed up Shakespeare, January 3, 2002
This review is from: Thomas: Hamlet (Audio CD)
What an exceptional cast for this recording! Hampson, Ramey and Graves are all in fine form. I know this opera is called "Hamlet," but since Ambroise Thomas changed the tragic ending to a happy one, he might has well have changed the title to "Ophelia." For me, it is Anderson's performance in that role that is the true standout. Her Act IV "mad scene" is haunting. She floats notes so pure and yet conveys heartwrenching emotion at the same time. Since this opera is unlikely to ever enter standard repertory, you shouldn't pass up the opportunity to hear this superlative recorded performance.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fine French opera with good Cast, October 23, 2001
This review is from: Thomas: Hamlet (Audio CD)
First I will admit that I do not know much about French opera. I really do like the grand French tradtion though, Meyerbeer and Auber are great. This opera is not quite along those lines though, it is a little more progressive. I would like to compliment the casting though, Hampson is a chilling Hamlet and Anderson makes sparks in the Mad scene. In fact, it is the mad scene with June Anderson's powerful coloratura that steals the show. Graves and Ramey do well in thier roles also. I just give extra marks for soprano June Anderson's fabulous performance here.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful opera which deserves to be heard, February 11, 2005
This review is from: Thomas: Hamlet (Audio CD)
Although Thomas wrote several operas, only Mignon and Hamlet have received any recognition in our time. I have always loved Mignon -- a beautifully melodic opera which deserves far more recognition than it receives -- so when Hamlet became available on CDs I decided to give it a try. I was very pleased to find that, like Mignon, Hamlet is a true gem, not just "pretty good" but outstandingly melodic throughout. I simply cannot understand how such a beautiful opera as Hamlet (and also Mignon) can be so thoroughly overlooked when other operas which are less beautiful are far more famous.
This performance of Hamlet is particularly outstanding with a superb cast including Thomas Hampson, June Anderson, Samuel Ramey, and Denyce Graves. If you love opera, I beg you to obtain this overlooked masterpiece while it is still available.
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