Rating: 
Summary: For what its worth
Review: I purchased this DVD with some trepidation given the disparity of opinions among the reviewers. I was disappointed. I would characterize this as an unoffensive but completely uninspired production. I have no beef with the quality of the singing, but the staging, acting, and direction show a mimimum of effort, imagination or emotion. This is a humorless, lifeless production of Figaro. Scenes that have moved me to tears or to guffaws in other productions were rushed through or dismissed as though they weren't worth bothering with in this production. I am by no means an audiophile, but even I was bothered by the poor quality of the sound. Singers literally cannot be heard when they stand at certain areas of the stage (a glaring problem in the ensemble pieces). I'm continuing my search for a great production of Figaro on VHS/DVD. Any suggestions?
Rating: 
Summary: Mozart Opera Lover from Falls Church, VA
Review: I was extremely disappointed when I heard this opera as the sound was horrible and I have a 32 inch SONY Trinton TV and a SONY DVD!!! The sound gets worse after the overture when you hear the singers because it sounds so far away and distant. I bought this version because of the raving reviews I found here. I think the production was poor and the singers were not all that great especially Cherubino. Even though Finley and Fleming make a wonderful pair together, I've heard them sing Mozart far better than in this production. Hagley as Susanna in the JEG/Paris recording is delightful through and through compared to this one. Also, the tempi was very slow as well as the singing--there's so much going on at the same time in the opera, it should move more quickly!! I find the version with JEG conducting and Byrn Terfel singing far more superior!!! DO NOT BUY! You will be very disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: The best opera DVD yet released
Review: Most of the complaints regarding this DVD have been about the "average sound mix" and "boring set design," which are incorrect and exaggerated. The sound is fine. I had no trouble hearing the singers. The orchestral playing is never obtrusive and there's a clarity to the recording. I'm not sure if these reviewers need to adjust their tv's audio settings or cables but I have 32" Sony Trinitron, 5-disc DVD player with regular RCA cables and had absolutely no problems with the sound. As far as set design goes, it all depends on the opera. With a work like Figaro where the characters and acting are what drive the story as opposed to say, The Magic Flute, which is a more visual opera, sets are simply not as important. That's not to say that the staging on this Glydenbourne production is weak. It is, in fact, very beautifully done. The key here is subtlety. The designs are minimal but I think most viewers will find them tasteful, pleasing to the eye and overall quite effective with excellent lighting (sample the moment where Susana tells Figaro about the counts intentions in "Se a caso madama" and Act IV in the woods) that is both subtely suggestive and atmospheric. Nothing is overdone and ample space is given for the wonderful performers to act and move freely. Fittingly, it is the singers in this production that shine. Alison Hagley is just a beautiful woman, not to mention her lovely singing and the fun she has with her role (her "Via resti servita" is delightful). Gerald Finley's Figaro is lean and powerful. His "Se vuol ballare" is bold and has weight. You can really hear his contempt. Marie-Ange Todorovitch's Cherubino is my favorite. Her "Non so piu" will overwhelm you as she sings it with a swelling fullness and joy that gives you goose bumps. The entire cast is just on. There is no pretentiousness and only love for the music. Everyone is at ease and there is very nice flow with Haitink's perfectly judged tempi. The entire show is the closest thing to perfection I have seen. My only complaint is the lack of extra features. I've been spoiled with the DVD medium and always look forward to the interviews and commentaries that are added to these discs and unfortunately there are none to be found here. But this is a minor complaint. The performance is well worth the price. By the way, you can get this DVD for a great price at deepdiscountdvd.com where I bought my copy. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: The greatest production yet staged
Review: Most of the complaints regarding this DVD have been about the "average sound mix" and "boring set design," which are incorrect and exaggerated. The sound is fine. I had no trouble hearing the singers. The orchestral playing is never obtrusive and there's a clarity and fullness to the recording. I'm not sure if these reviewers need to adjust their tv's audio settings or cables but I have 32" Sony Trinitron, 5-disc DVD player with regular RCA cables and had absolutely no problems with the sound. As far as set design goes, it all depends on the opera. With a work like Figaro where the characters and acting are what drive the story as opposed to say, The Magic Flute, which is a more visual opera, sets are simply not as important. That's not to say that the staging on this Glydenbourne production is weak. It is, in fact, very beautifully done. The key here is subtlety. The designs are minimal but I think most viewers will find them tasteful, pleasing to the eye and overall quite effective. Nothing is overdone and ample space is given for the wonderful performers to act and move freely. Fittingly, it is the singers in this production that shine. Alison Hagley is just a beautiful woman, not to mention her gorgeous singing and the fun she has with her role (her "Via resti servita" is delightful). Gerald Finley's Figaro is lean and powerful. His "Se vuol ballare" is bold and has weight. You can really hear his contempt. However, Marie-Ange Todorovitch's Cherubino was my favorite. Her "Non so piu" will overwhelm you as she sings it with a swelling fullness and joy that gives you goose bumps. The entire cast is just on. There is no pretentiousness and only love for the music. Everyone is at ease and there is very nice flow with Haitink's perfectly judged tempi. The entire show is the closest thing to perfection I have seen. My only complaint is the lack of extra features. I've been spoiled with the DVD medium and always look forward to the interviews and commentaries that are added to these discs and unfortunately there are none to be found here. But this is a minor complaint. The performance is well worth the price. By the way, you can get this DVD for a great price at deepdiscountdvd.com where I bought my copy. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: A sad disappointment!
Review: My favorite opera. The greatest music. Excellent singing and orchestra and conduction. I already have the superb Böhm / Fischer-Dieskau / Janowitz / Mathis / Prey / Troyanos recording if that is all I want. But opera is also a VISUAL medium. This production: the scenography dull, the wardrobe prosaic, and the fourth act a total turn off. It is supposed to take place in a garden, not in what looks like a bunch of falling pier supports. Might as well have filmed it on a garbage dump.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Opera Videos I've Seen
Review: My kids (5 yrs and 2 yrs) love this video, and with good reason. We have three versions of Figaro at home, and this is by far our favorite. It's a feast for the eyes as well as the ears: colorful, bright, well-acted, great sets and costumes, extremely well-directed by Stephen Medcalf. It's interpreted in the best comic, fun-loving tradition. The singing is spectacular, especially that of the four principals. Gerald Finley is the best Figaro I've heard on video. He and Alison Hagley (Susanna), have a wonderful rapport onstage . [Aside: I liked reading the 1/27/00 review re: Fleming! How nice to hear a woman appreciated for her voice and looks, as well, even though she doesn't look like a Hollywood actress, who all seem to have the figures of 12-yr-old boys (painfully thin, no curves).] Some useful info: This is the Glyndebourne Festival Opera, with Bernard Haitink conducting the London Philharmonic. It stars Gerald Finley (Figaro), Alison Hagley (Susanna), Renee Fleming (the Countess), and Andreas Schmidt (the Count). It's a 2-video set (190 minutes), sung in Italian with English subtitles. Even if you've never seen an opera video, get this one -- you'll love it. It's excellent in all respects.
Rating: 
Summary: Verdict from a humble listener
Review: Not being an opera connoisseur at all, I can only give an evaluation of this DVD based on what I consider to be its highlights or downturns.
"Le Nozze di Figaro" is my all time favourite opera and I have seen a few live as well as recorded versions of it. This particular performance is very well achieved and does honour both storyline and grandeur that were certainly idealized by Mozart over 200 years ago.
The best this DVD has to offer is ...
1 - Renée Fleming has one of the best performances of the Countess I have ever seen. Her interpretation of the world famous aria "Dove sonno i bei momenti" is, at the very least, memorable.
2 - Alison Hagley is a perfect actress and sings rather well as Susanna. She may not have that "prima donna" formula but she has a flawless performance in one of the most demanding roles in the opera (Susanna is a constant presence during the four acts).
3 - Although not mentioned very often, Marie-Ange Todorovitch is the best Cherubino ever. Only her hips betray her true gender, otherwise she would very well pass for a teenage love-seeking boy. She also does honour to Cherubino's well known "Voi, che sapete" aria too.
4 - Gerald Finley is ... Gerald Finley, and we all recognize quality when his name figures in any opera's cast.
And the things that don't work that entire well are ...
1 - Wendy Hillhouse is far from being a convincing Marcellina. Not a good actress and she really fails to deliver during Marcellina's solo aria "Il capro e la capreta" (and this is noticeable by the audience's less than enthusiastic reaction).
2 - Andreas Schmidt is a powerful bass but he is too expressive and sometimes he looks like a serial killer rather than a Count.
3 - Wardrobe is far from being the best I've seen so far and the Countess's gala dress looks like it was made from old curtains.
4 - The scenario is also very poor, but it was conceived to change quickly from one area of the palace to another, but this was achieved on the expense of the expected richness of an 18th century palace. Alas ...
My final (and humble) verdict is ... there are many more pros than cons in this version and the interaction between the characters works remarkably well. A very good version of the famous opera definitely worth buying.
Rating:
Summary: The best of the best
Review: One of my favorite operas, done so well. I love Mozart Operas and Glyndebourne knows how to do their operas! You will enjoy it from start to finish (all 4 hrs!)
Rating:
Summary: I've found my Figaro!
Review: This is a great production. The Glyndebourne Festival, with its almost perfect casting job and authentic recreation of the 18th century sets, has given love and patience to Mozart's masterpiece. Renee Fleming is delightful; Andreas Schmidt does some of his best work (what would you expect?); and the rest of the cast, notably Finley and Hagley (especially Hagley, bravo!!), sing with grace and perform their characters truthfully to Mozart's musical design. They simply have fun with it, what more can you ask for? And the camera doesn't stay up in the audience and lollygag around and maybe zoom up in the end--no! you feel like you have a front row seat for this not lavish but charming performance of <> Worth mentioning: the London Phil (conducted by Haitink) has become my favorite "opera" orchestra! They are such a strong, yet undetected, presence in this video.
Rating:
Summary: E X C E L L E N T . . .
Review: This is an E X C E L L E N T Figaro, just excellent! Renee did well, and so did the soprano who played Susanna. I was amazed! If you like this opera then you really need this video. Its just to die for. I comand you to push the buy button with your mouse... N O W ! ! !
|
