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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
EXQUISITE PRODUCTION OF A RARE OPERA, July 10, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Zandonai - Francesca Da Rimini / James Levine, The Metropolitan Opera (DVD)
This is a visually extravagant production mounted for Renata Scotto. The sets evoke all the voluptuousness of art nouveau and the costumes are colorful. Scotto not only sings the title role well but her acting also brings out the sensuality of Francesca. Domingo is also in top form. Levine brings out the lushness of this fragrant score. Highly enjoyable.
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Met puts best foot forward, August 7, 2002
This review is from: Zandonai - Francesca Da Rimini / James Levine, The Metropolitan Opera (DVD)
The Metropolitan Opera went all out to make its production of this rarely performed work a success. The sets are beautiful and match the music perfectly. The conducting and playing could hardly be bettered. Scotto is nearly perfect in the title role (just a few years earlier she would have been absolutely perfect). Domingo was at his best as Paolo. Nevertheless, veteran baritone Cornell MacNeil nearly steals the show as the nasty, brutish Gianciotto. At this stage of his career, his voice was no longer beautiful, but it still had the range, power, and expressiveness to personify this evil character. The opera falls somewhat short of being an unqualified musical masterpiece, but it is a fascinating and dramatically effective work and has some stunning scenes, including the longest battle scene I have ever seen on stage in an opera theater (Die Walkure, Act III Scene 1 is shorter and the actual battle seems always to take place off stage). I recommend that you get this one. You won't be bored.
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Francesca da Rimini at the Met (DVD), July 12, 2002
This review is from: Zandonai - Francesca Da Rimini / James Levine, The Metropolitan Opera (DVD)
Francesca da Rimini is a fascinating opera and in parts - the end of act 1, the second half of Act 3 - truly magical. It is not the sort of opera which would take kindly to a minimalist production or to updating, so - in this case - the lavish sets and costumes provided by the Met are entirely appropriate and highly effective (though I do wish the audience would refrain from applauding the scenery). The opera stands or falls by the casting of Francesca and Paolo and in this production it definitely stands. In 1984, Placido Domingo was a dashing and handsome Paolo acting with verve and on top vocal form. We perhaps too often take him for granted because he has been so good for so long. Francesca is supposed to be young and beautiful. Renata Scotto is neither, but for much of the time she makes you think that she is. Her acting is most certainly of the operatic variety, but it works. At this stage in her career, when she is called upon to deliver the highest notes her voice turns hard and wobbles - fortunately there are not that many of the highest notes in this part. The rest of the voice remains gorgeous and infinitely expressive. Levine and the Met orchestra play superbly.
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