Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully staged and well acted, an outstanding production, July 21, 2004
Everything about this production is outstanding--the photography, the creative set design, the use of color, the quality of the music and singing, the costumes, the attention to detail, and especially the acting. The cast is believable and obviously having a great time with it. I'd use this DVD to introduce someone to opera. I've seen other productions, and none can compare to this. My only complaint is the lack of extras which we've come to expect with our DVDs. I also have the Dutch version with all the extra comic pantomime, which is creative, but is a bit distracting from telling the story. I buy a lot of opera DVDs (much cheaper than buying a ticket) and this is one of the best I've seen.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great performance from Vesselina Kasarova, December 22, 2003
I most certainly agree with the Editorial comments above, Vesselina Kasarova is truly amazing in this work. Having been impressed by her performances in La Belle Helene and The Damnation of Faust I was eagerly awaiting her next work on DVD. Not only can she easily accomplish all the vocal demands of the role (her high notes are truly thrilling) but she also has great acting ability. Her timing, so necessary when working on a revolving stage, whose movement is not restricted to `between scenes' but is actually a completely integrated part of the choreography for the whole work, is accurate and assured. Her ability to perform complex acts of manual dexterity while singing a complicated aria is wonderful to see. While there is always plenty of movement on stage, it is never as distracting as the version directed by Dario Fo for the Netherlands Opera.
The updating of the opera to the beginning of the twentieth century seems entirely appropriate, though the first appearance of Count Almaviva riding a scooter is a little disconcerting at the start of the first act. There are no disappointments after that. The hero Figaro entering the stage on an antique motorcycle and sidecar is much better. Almaviva's two disguises seem quite believable. I enjoyed all of the supporting performances, none more so than Elizabeth Rae Magnuson as the Berta the maid. Her brief time on stage was memorable.
This is the best version of this popular work that I have heard. I was tempted to buy the Cecilia Bartoli version until I saw that it was stereo and not Surround Sound. I am glad I waited, as this is a wonderfully recorded opera, only occasionally are the noises of singers running across the stage more noticeable than one would really like. The orchestra conducted by Nello Santi reveals every small nuance of the music.
I enjoyed this opera very much and would put it on a par, musically and entertainment-wise, with that of another work by Rossini, `La Cenerentola' (Cecilia Bartoli version).
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9 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
An Abomination, June 7, 2005
I have seen Rossini's work a dozen times all over the world. This production is a disgrace. The sets and costumes and props have absolutely nothing to do with the opera. Mostly to blame is the production director, who clearly was paying more attention to his ego than Rossini. I pity the poor singers who had to parade around the stage fondling a Rossini bust, playing with test tubes, riding on scooters, and lots of other nonsense which adds nothing to the genuine comedy in the original story as it is traditionally presented. Don't waste your time on this version if you love opera or respect Rossini.
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