Customer Reviews

Verdi - Ernani / James Levine, The Metropolitan Opera

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

George Bernard Shaw described Ernani as Verdi's most intense opera, and in this rendition, all of the musical and visual elements of the work that so pleased the irascible Shaw come together marvelously. Who better to conduct it than James Levine, today's best interpreter of Verdi, and considered by many to be the heir to Toscanini. Young and still vocally secure, Pavarotti sings with boldness and color, with few of the extra syllables which mar so much of his middle years. Milnes, in the manner of Leonard Warren, is perfect in the role of Carlo and Leona Mitchell, while not quite the Verdian as Leontyne Price, fully realizes her part. Considering that this is a 1983 recording, this DVD shows how well the medium captures both the visual and musical elements of opera in general and Ernani in particular. A standing ovation for such a grand performance of a grand opera! And by the way, for folks who think that Verdi didn't hit his stride until Rigoletto, here is the proof of how truly great his earlier works are.

James Levine and his met forces offer us a performancer of 'Ernani' that includes revisions Verdi made to the score after its Venice premiere. He added a cabaletta to Silva's aria that was taken from an alternative aria he wrote for his first opera 'Oberto'. The bass part of Silva was considered a secondary role because his aria had no cabaletta. Consequently star basses used to have the baritone role of Don Carlo transposed to bass register. Verdi inserted the cabaletta into the opera to discourage the practice. Furthermore in Act II Verdi wrote a new aria to act as finale to the Act. This was done at the behest of Rossini who wanted a bravura aria to showcase the talent of his protege Nicolai Ivanov. Both Ruggero Raimondi as Silva and Luciano Pavarotti as Ernani justify their inclusion in this performance. Elsewhere in the performance Pavarotti sings with lovely melting tone and Raimondi strikes one as an utterly driven Silva. Leona Mitchell as Elvira sings securely as Elvira even if she is not as dramatically compelling as Mirella Freni for Riccardo Muti in La Scala. Similarly Sherrill Milnes yields dramatic points to the incomparable Renato Bruson, yet delights by his firm top notes and ease with which he sings his music. By virtue of the variants described above this performance should be seen as a supplement to instead of an alternative to the Muti performance

Outstanding in almost every way. The staging is impressive, the costumes are attractive. The singing is superlative. The public may be most interested in Pavarotti, but the real winner here is Sherrill Milnes. He is an intense and noble figure throughout. His third act aria is the opera's highlight, in my opinion, where he reaches a powerful Ab. Raimondi is also outstanding. I was so happy that his cabaletta was not cut out, and, was not cut at all: Both verses are performed. In fact, Verdi lovers will rejoice that this performance is complete. There is an alternate tenor aria included as well. Purchase without hesitation, for this is a winner. Dana Hill

This is a historical performance. For the first time in over 100 years,the alternate finale of Act 2 is being played in a major opera house,Pavarotti receiving a well deserved ovation after the aria and cabaletta wrote by Verdi for his famous contemporary tenor, Ivanov. Mitchell and Raimondi are in superb voice, both very secure with the exposed high notes from the score. As it was only later known, this is the first performance of Milnes after his vocal chords surgery. Altough he takes a little time to warm up, he manages afterwards to bring down the house in style, with a fantastic A-flat at the end of his big aria. Levine conducts with style the orchestra and chorus,in a performance staged during the Met centenial celebrations.

I have to confess that until my wife bought this DVD for my birthday I had never heard a complete version of Ernani. It is certainly an excellent example from his "Galley years" of things to come. Am I alone in sometimes thinking I had strayed into Il Trovatore? The title role suits Pavarotti's voice perfectly and he gives us a display of his usual vocal splendour and exemplary breath control and diction. What a star he is, if any one from the Met reads this then please release both of his Met relays of "Ballo" on DVD as soon as possible. However, it would have been the icing on the cake if he had attempted to act a little more. Still I suppose you can't have everything. Although, look at his first Ballo on VHS; that will scotch all rumours that he can't act. I realise that Leona Mitchell is revered in NY, and her portrayal of Lui and Michaela at the Met are very good - but she is totally miscast here. The role stretches her to the limit and reveals some very unpleasant vocal lines - showing up a major defficiency in her technique. I am afraid that she is the weak link in this production, a view apparently not shared by the audience who go wild for her. I am afraid to say that she does nothing for me. Everyone else is superb - and Levine takes charge with his usual verve - making this a very enjoyable and exciting night at the opera.

I got this just the other day only to find out it will not play past act-2. Please don,t waste your money or time its fine at first but only act-1 can be seen, and no other co. has this version.

First I think It has to be said that Ernani is not an overly believable story. The sheer melodramatic unlikeliness of some of the action make it less of a sheer dramatic experience, unlike say, Rigoletto, Otello, La Traviata, or many of Verdi's later works. This is not a reflection on Verdi, who uses this mediocre Libretto to create some very moving music.

As I said in the title, this singers are nearly ideal. Pavarotti plays the bandit Ernani. He has rarely sounded better. His tone is Bright, attractive and ringing, This first act aria, despite a small rhymical mistake at the end, is fabulous. He takes an optional aria, that I had never heard before and sings it virtuosically. His acting is general, but he looks very good onstage. I was not dissapointed by his acting. I believe this is because the Liberetto does not make intricate dramatic demands on the singer, so general melodramatic emotion passes as appropriate.

Leona Mitchell is an excellent Elvira. It is a part that has alot of chest voice required, and Leona brings it. She sings Ernani Involami, with ardor and passion. The costumer might have mae a more intelligent choice so that the Diva's chest didnt heave out of her shirt with every breath, it wasnt exactly becoming.

Ruggero Raimondi was intense as Silva. He was believable as the cucolded old man. his voice was booming and edgy. While his voice isn't always focused perfectly, he is a perfect dramatist. His performance is wonderful.

Sherill Milnes is a great Charles the 5th. It is of interest that this performance was Milnes's comeback from vocal sugery after busting a cappilary in his vocal cord. He kept it a secret and cancelled many performance, including the Met centennial gala. His anxiety over this performance, by his own admission, approached hysteria. Miraculously, he sings very well here. Perhaps his voice is a bit under, but its still has the Milnes coloring. His aria comparing himself to Charlemagne, was a classic. Throwing caution to the wind, he muscles out a A flat, to the delight of the crowd.

Overall this is an excellent production of verdis opera. If you are an early verdi fan, this is a must have.

Anyone who hasn't heard the previous VHS version of this performance has missed a whole lot of just about everything great there is to be heard in this or any medium. The dvd just enhances what is already a superb performance even if the production is somewhat claroscuro. The Met likes Verdi in the dark as witnessed by the present Il Trovatore production. Buy it, cherish it and revel in its vocal splendor. Levine does wonders with the Met orchestra.

Even though it is not much performed nowadays, Ernani has got some of Verdi's finest music. The libretto is quite dreadful, but if you ignore its weaknesses you are most likely to fall for this opera. Since it is very hard to sing, almost as difficult as Trovatore, it demands top class singers. This video brings what is perhaps the best performance ever of this Verdi early masterpiece. The whole cast is just great! Pavarotti is a stunning Ernani and Ruggero Raimondi, perhaps the most beautiful bass voice of our days, sings a Duke that can not be matched. Sherril Milnes, Leona Mitchel and Maestro Levine are superb. If you are an opera lover, you can not miss this one. Buy it now. It is worth every single penny you pay for it.

I have been looking forward for this DVD. I had the VHS for years, so the performance is a delight to me. But I was disappointed as I received a defective DVD. I returned it and the replacement had the same defect. It would not play after the first act. Amazon has been very decent about it but I am disappointment as I had to ask for a refund. Has anyone else had this problem? I am going to wait a while and then try again.Verdi: Ernani (1983)