Customer Reviews

Verdi - Rigoletto / Kraus, Nucci, Serra, Pertusi, Vespasiani, Malvisi, Nosotti, Campori, Teatro Regio Parma

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

 

 

This is a well sung Rigoletto. Alfredo Kraus stands out head over shoulder. His "Parmi veder le lagrime" is the best i've heard,and he includes the cabeletta. Leo Nucci sings with a tenderness that I've missed in his other performances. The only quams I have are with the lighting and scenery. There are times you cannot see the stage and I found that frustrating.

Trust me. Don't buy this DVD. I understand that Kraus is a wonderful Duke and Nucci a top-notch Rigoletto. The problem is not with the singers. The problem is that the makers of this DVD/video should never have tried to sell it commercially. The production values are terrible.

The sound quality is about a C- and the lighting is a solid F. For example, the scene in Act I where Rigoletto meets Sparafucile is all but completely dark. For a few moments I thought my TV tube was broken.

Even when you can see what is going on, it is very poorly lit. There are other Rigoletto DVD's (e.g. one with Placido Domingo as the Duke) that are professionally produced. This one is an insult to the Maestro, Guiseppe Verdi who would hire Sparafucile to deal with whoever was responsible for selling this for 20 scudi. (or whatever)

I am very much interested in verdis rigoletto in general, owning several already. The problem with this and other operas is that no singers names, etc. are provided. I think it would be a good idea if this could be done, since we have to guess what we are getting if bought. thank you.