Rating: 
Summary: Excellent performance, terrific cast
Review: Apparently the reviewers below had no prior exposure to this work before viewing the DVD in question. That can be a handicap when coming to a work such as "Carmelites." Perhaps I am a bit better equipped to judge, as this is one of my favourite operas of all time. This is a truly excellent performance, recorded in 1999 at the Opera National du Rhin. Aside from a small spoken scene in Act Three where Blanche learns of the arrest of the sisters, the performance is complete. The cast is uniformly excellent, but particular mention must be made of Anne-Sophie Schmidt's highly moving Blanche and Nadine Denize's haunting old Prioress with a riveting death scene. Additionally, Patricia Petibon is a charming Constance and Hedwig Fassbender a sympathetic Mere Marie. The sets and costumes are simple and evocative without getting in the way of the action, and although I'd quibble with the staging of the final climactic scene, everything else that is done is done extremely well. In short, if you want a DVD version of "Dialogues of the Carmelites," I really can't see this fine edition being bettered anytime soon.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent performance, terrific cast
Review: Apparently the reviewers below had no prior exposure to this work before viewing the DVD in question. That can be a handicap when coming to a work such as "Carmelites." Perhaps I am a bit better equipped to judge, as this is one of my favourite operas of all time. This is a truly excellent performance, recorded in 1999 at the Opera National du Rhin. Aside from a small spoken scene in Act Three where Blanche learns of the arrest of the sisters, the performance is complete. The cast is uniformly excellent, but particular mention must be made of Anne-Sophie Schmidt's highly moving Blanche and Nadine Denize's haunting old Prioress with a riveting death scene. Additionally, Patricia Petibon is a charming Constance and Hedwig Fassbender a sympathetic Mere Marie. The sets and costumes are simple and evocative without getting in the way of the action, and although I'd quibble with the staging of the final climactic scene, everything else that is done is done extremely well. In short, if you want a DVD version of "Dialogues of the Carmelites," I really can't see this fine edition being bettered anytime soon.
Rating:
Summary: Haunting opera, lovely performance
Review: Enjoy this essentials-only poetic production. There are many heart rending moments here and the music is simply entrancing.
Rating:
Summary: Haunting opera, lovely performance
Review: Enjoy this essentials-only poetic production. There are many heart rending moments here and the music is simply entrancing.
Rating:
Summary: A Different Opinion About Video and Audio Quality
Review: I haven't purchased this DVD yet, but I will do so. I was alarmed by the review that complains about the audio and video quality, and so I checked the Gramophone review because Gramophone is a stickler about technical quality. Here's what the Gramophone review written by Alan Blyth says about this issue: "Video direction, sound and picture quality are all admirable. This is one of the most worthwhile opera performances yet to appear in the new format."
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful and very moving
Review: I must state from the git-go that I love this opera, and that this is a very good performance. There are many of us who cut their teeth on the Metropolitan Opera production some years ago, and while this doesn't match it's emotional impact, it is still a jewel - just a little different. I think it may have been a mistake to cast Anne-Sophie Schmidt as Blanche. She sings well, but sounds very mezzo-ish and a bit strained in many of the higher passages. She's a pretty good actress, but seems to struggle more with the notes than with her faith. And she can't begin the portray the slightly "unhinged" component in Blanche's personality that Maria Ewing did so memorably at the Metropolitan. The rest of the cast is very strong, visuals are never less than commanding, and the final scene, while a bit stagey and symbolic, is quite gripping. Poulencs' gem of an opera is an acquired taste, I think, but well worth the acquisition. I advise you to buy this and watch (and listen) about 4-5 times - you'll be hooked. Now if only the Metropolitan (M. Ewing, J. Norman, R. Crespin) would release its performance on DVD !!!
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and very moving
Review: I must state from the git-go that I love this opera, and that this is a very good performance. There are many of us who cut their teeth on the Metropolitan Opera production some years ago, and while this doesn't match it's emotional impact, it is still a jewel - just a little different. I think it may have been a mistake to cast Anne-Sophie Schmidt as Blanche. She sings well, but sounds very mezzo-ish and a bit strained in many of the higher passages. She's a pretty good actress, but seems to struggle more with the notes than with her faith. And she can't begin the portray the slightly "unhinged" component in Blanche's personality that Maria Ewing did so memorably at the Metropolitan. The rest of the cast is very strong, visuals are never less than commanding, and the final scene, while a bit stagey and symbolic, is quite gripping. Poulencs' gem of an opera is an acquired taste, I think, but well worth the acquisition. I advise you to buy this and watch (and listen) about 4-5 times - you'll be hooked. Now if only the Metropolitan (M. Ewing, J. Norman, R. Crespin) would release its performance on DVD !!!
Rating: 
Summary: Boring
Review: I think it was Noel Coward who said that PELLEAS ET MELISANDE is like PARSIFAL, only without the jokes. He could have updated the quip to include DIALOGUES DES CARMELITES. I am usually very disciplined when it comes to tackling challenging works that are unfamiliar to me. In this case I had to give up. I found this work exceedingly boring. In addition, the sound on my copy was distorted at peak volumes.
Rating:
Summary: Boring
Review: I think it was Noel Coward who said that PELLEAS ET MELISANDE is like PARSIFAL, only without the jokes. He could have updated the quip to include DIALOGUES DES CARMELITES. I am usually very disciplined when it comes to tackling challenging works that are unfamiliar to me. In this case I had to give up. I found this work exceedingly boring. In addition, the sound on my copy was distorted at peak volumes.
Rating:
Summary: Carmelites
Review: The opera dragged on and I didn't think it was ever going to end. The voices were wonderful but the cast was horrble. I do not reccomend this opera at all.
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