Puccini - Turandot / Franco Zeffirelli - Marton, Domingo, Mitchell, Plishka, Cuenod - James Levine, MET
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46 Customer Reviews Posted
- MOONSTRUCK
- this was a treat for myself, as I have owned the VHS version for years. For anyone that's never seen it, it is simply one of the best movies ever. Cher is stupendous, Cage equally so, and the chemistry between them wonderful. The glimpses of family life and the dialogue seem so true to life, mainly because of the very fine acting ensemble. And how can one beat the music of Puccini?
- 2008-05-09, 0 of 0 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Tutto Dorma/Jay David Saks Sucks!
- Domingo, Marton, Mitchell, Plishka, and Ping- Pang- and Pong are wonderful. Zeffirelli created a masterful set and beautiful costumes. The orchestra, chorus, and James Levine are top-class as usual.
So why the one star and the title: Tutto Dorma/ Jay David Saks SUCKS?
Opera is an all encompassing audio-visual art form. Sound balance is critical. As the audio producer, Saks must have been asleep while recording the audio portion of this DVD. How else can you explain the awful sound imbalance? All singers are constantly overpowered by the orchestra: the principals sound as though they are singing in a cave a mile deep inside while the recording microphone is placed in the midst of a pile of bat guano at the entrance just adjacent to the orchestra. Time to wake up and tinker with your audio-control panel Mr. Saks...and shame to DG for allowing the release of this DVD before such correction.
Additionally, Kirk Browning the video director must have been short of funds when hiring his camera crew. From the looks of things, he must have hired a crew of 3 year olds who had never handled a camera prior to this occasion: the focus either constantly shifts from close-ups to pan-outs at random intervals without attention to the action or to side shots of no particular interest or connection to the action on stage.
And, of course, he too must have been a 'dorma' while directing the visuals-- otherwise, in good conscience how would he have allowed such "visuals".
Two other less significant quibbles:
The first- also, in part, relates to the camera operators: a lot of the action is partly obstructed by the throng of supernumeraries sitting at the apron of the stage during a significant portion of the opera; was this really necessary Mr. Zefirelli--- and if so, why couldn't the camera shoot over their heads allowing an otherwise unobstructed view of the stage?
The second- the stage was very dark ( i.e. lack of lighting) during much of the first Act and a significant portion of the second Act.
Again: opera is an audio-visual art. With crappy sound and poor visuals the enjoyment factor is markedly lessened for the viewing audience. Shame on DG for releasing this otherwise excellent Turandot. - 2008-04-09, 6 of 7 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Turandot is Wonderful!
- Wow! Before I purchased this dvd, my experience with Turandot was "Nessun Dorma" by Pavarotti. When I saw the Domingo/Marton Met Opera version, I found a clip on YouTube and loved it. I heard this on surround sound, and it was quite overwhelming. Just a joy to see and hear-I have heard criticisms of both Domingo and Marton, but I couldn't find a single note to complain about!
BUY THIS!!!!! - 2008-03-08, 3 of 3 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Horrible
- This was a terrible production of a wonderful opera. I was horrified to see what a mess the Met had made of it and poor Placido Domingo! Despite his magnificence, the production was nauseating. Don't waste your time. The production conducted by Zubin Mehta and directed by Zhang Yimou was wonderful. Granted, Sergej Larin is no Domingo, but he does a fine job (despite the fact that he's shorter than Giovanna Casolla, the Princess Turandot lol). What can I say, the Met production was a freak show and the one filmed at the Forbidden City of Beijing was beautiful. I felt cleansed after sitting through that Met trash!
- 2008-03-07, 1 of 11 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Beautiful production of Turandot at the Met
- I bought this DVD because Turandot is my favorite opera and I was not disappointed. The production at the Met is outstanding - the costumes and sets are gorgeous, and the singing is exquisite, especially Mitchell as Liu. Her singing absolutely brought me to tears! I know I will be watching and rewatching it for many years to come.
- 2008-01-10, 0 of 0 people found this review helpful, Rated:
