Bolcom - A View from the Bridge / Josephson, Malfitano, Turay, Lyric Opera of Chicago, D. Russell Davies

Kim Josephson (Performer), Dennis Russell Davies (Performer), Juliana Rambaldi (Performer), William Bolcom (Composer), Catherine Malfitano (Performer), Kim Josephson (Performer), Mark McCrory (Performer), Dale Travis (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Kim Josephson, Dennis Russell Davies, Juliana Rambaldi, Catherine Malfitano, Kim Josephson, et al.
• Composer: William Bolcom
• Audio CD (June 26, 2001)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: New World Records
• ASIN: B00005M998
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #128,186 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This is the world-premiere recording of William Bolcom’s tragic opera, unanimously acclaimed as one of the most significant additions to the American opera repertory in recent times. View is based on Miller’s powerful play depicting the fall from grace of a longshoreman, Eddie Carbone, whose barely repressed desire for his now-grown niece, Catherine, leads to the betrayal of his community and disastrous personal consequences. Bolcom’s beautifully crafted and richly varied score embellishes but never overwhelms Miller’s dark drama.

Bolcom is an important composer in his prime, who writes confidently in an eclectic style that is musically sophisticated but always accessible. The material has been craftily adapted by the composer’s longtime collaborator, Arnold Weinstein, who retains the drama’s taut structure while still allowing ample opportunity for lyrical expansion. The Lyric Opera’s production could not be more effectively mounted or splendidly cast. Dennis Russell Davies encourages the orchestra to savor the score’s purely musical beauties without compromising the drama’s swift pacing. Working as a honed ensemble, the cast never strikes a false note.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A solid modern opera, October 3, 2002

By	Allen Ruch (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Generally hailed as one of the best recent American operas, Bolcolm's take on Arthur Miller's play has all the ingredients of a traditional opera -- tragically flawed characters, soaring melodies, even a revenge aria -- and yet strikes a thoroughly modern chord, its dynamic score underlining themes of family dysfunction and incest. Drawing from a eclectic palette that serves to support the characters rather than bury them, Bolcolm's music moves deftly through an emotional and stylistic landscape, from jazz to lyricism to dissonance. Although the beginning of the opera is a bit talky, the arrival of Rodolpho brings a wonderful Italian tenor into the mix, his spirited voice soaring above the Brooklyn dockworkers and pulling the opera along to its tragic conclusion.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great modern opera, June 1, 2004

By A Customer

I would like to put in a few good words for this opera, which has received some negative and lukewarm reviews on here on Amazon.com. This is a tense psychological drama set to brilliantly crafted music. Bolcom's music is a cornucopia of American styles and also takes into account the Italian operatic tradition. It is edgy and modern, but very accessible. Some might complain that the opera is more like continuous arioso than lyrical writing. So are most of the operas of Wagner, and I'm sure, many 20th-century operas! As a matter of fact, there is a great deal of lyricism in BRIDGE, and there are instances when the endless melody (or endless recitative, depending on your view) flowers into a genuine aria - such as in Rodolpho's show-stopper, "I love the beauty of the view at home" (also known as "New York Lights"). As for the performers, suffice to say that they are all superb, but that baritone Kim Josephson stands out in the role of the tormented Eddie Carbone. His voice-type is perfect for the role, and he sings with expressive warmth, beauty of tone, and dramatic power. I would urge any opera lover to check BRIDGE out. It is a valuable contribution to the operatic repertoire.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bolcom at his best., February 5, 2002

By	Gregory J. Diercks (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I had the pleasure of attending the world premier performance of this opera. The recording doesn't quite capture the intensity of the performers, but does a more than adequate job of communicating the power of the story and the score. Buy this opera. It is among the best 20th century American opera recordings ever made, IMO.