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Rating: 
Summary: Could Have Been Better...
Review: Beautifully staged, packed with drama and emotions, this "Romeo et Juliette" gives the feeling of a modern Shakespearean production. The artistic design is simple and straightforward, and yet, serves the purpose quite well and permits more focusing on the characters. But for all of its elegance and charm, nothing is really extraordinary. I'm probably missing something here, as I experienced few of the wonders that others have expressed.
The singings are good, but not exciting, even for Roberto Alagna, whose singing here is not well formed compared to some of his other recordings. He has a nice voice in the middle register, but as it ascends, it becomes white and bit of insecure. Leontina Vaduva's singing in the role of Juliette is weak. For some reason, at times, it feels weary watching her singing and acting. Both Vaduva and Alagna's acting are somewhat stagy, loaded with vehemence, while what's really lacking is the emotional communication between them. I think that one thing they could do better is to look into each other's eyes more often. The doomed lovers' death scene in Act V is affecting, but doesn't reach the dramatic hilt I expected, but again, it could be just me.
Rating: 
Summary: Meltingly Lyrical - Beautifully Sung - Brilliantly Staged
Review: Charles Gounod is frequently accused by critics of being "too pretty" or "too sentimental", yet his masterpiece, Faust, is one of the most performed operas in history. Romeo is close to Faust insofar as its lyrically melodic score is concerned and when well sung and staged, is a real treat to the eyes and ears. Having seen it onstage twice, I was prepared to be critical, but also to be captured by a good performance. This is a very good performance. Alagna has enough youthfulness at this stage in his career to be a believable Romeo, and he sings the role with magnificent vocal technique as well as near perfect French. (I stopped and replayed the second act aria, "Ah! Leve- toi soleil ..." so that my significant other could enjoy it.) In fact, one of the real pleasures of this disc is the French diction of all the performers. I had never seen or heard Leontina Vaduva (Juliette) before watching this disc, but she does a great job as the teenaged heroine. Vocally, her lyric, coloratura is ideal for the role and her opening aria, "je veux vivre..." is perfectly realized. She can act, too, as evidenced by all her interactions onstage, particularly, and not at all surprising, with Romeo. Particular mention should be made of Anna Maria Panzarella in the " trousers role" of Stephano, Romeo's page. She has a fine voice and great stage presence. Maestro Mackerras coducts with respect for the emotional nature of the score. The tape to disc transfer is near perfect, as is the recorded sound. As I have noted in other reviews, the DVD medium is next best to live theatre, because the viewer sees and hears the performance, and can experience the totality of the operatic experience. So, if you are looking to see what opera is all about, or introduce older children to the genre, this performance is hard to beat, because the music is consistantly lovely, and the onstage action is ongoing. And if you are, like me, a longtime opera fan, just buy this disc, and if you don't find it enjoyable, send me an e-mail challenge to this review. The domestic cultural scene, unfortunately, sees fewer opera performances, except in major cities like New York. The DVD medium, fortunately, lets good operatic performances come to our homes. Enjoy!!
Rating:
Summary: It Doesn't Get Better!
Review: I've just ordered this DVD after watching it on PBS. I'm an opera tenor myself and not always enamored with Roberto Alagna. But he does an absolutely superb job here, and Vaduva matches and balances him perfectly. Their acting, right down to their dual deaths at the end, is natural and not contrived as many operas seem. I've heard, seen, and sung in many operas around the world, but it really doesn't get better than this!
Rating:
Summary: It Doesn't Get Better!
Review: I've just ordered this DVD after watching it on PBS. I'm an opera tenor myself and not always enamored with Roberto Alagna. But he does an absolutely superb job here, and Vaduva matches and balances him perfectly. Their acting, right down to their dual deaths at the end, is natural and not contrived as many operas seem. I've heard, seen, and sung in many operas around the world, but it really doesn't get better than this!
Rating:
Summary: "SINGING-ACTORS" WHO CAN REALLY SING!!!!
Review: The reason to purchase this DVD of Romeo et Juliette by Gounod is the wonderful, expressive singing of Roberto Alagna and Leontina Vaduva. Not only do they sound great, they LOOK great and act their parts sincerely and movingly. The final scene of this opera with the two doomed and dying lovers desperately reaching out for one last unobtainable kiss could "make the stones weep" in this Covent Garden performance, taped in 1994. The production is somewhat sparse but traditional, with beautiful costumes and atmosphere. Supporting singers Francois Le Roux and Robert Lloyd do a fine job, but the focus of this performance is the two lovers and Alagna and Vaduva convince you with their voices and their demeanor that they are exactly that: young and in love. Two of the many vocal highlights are Alagna's aria, "Ah, leve-toi soleil" and the ensemble that ends Act Three. Anytime the two lovers are onstage, there is operatic magic (all too rare these days). Alagna combines French style with Italian bravura and Vaduva has a voice with sweetness and vulnerablity which seems to grow in size for the dramatic and often cut Poison Aria.
This DVD comes highly recommended to lovers of great singing which too often, in present times, is cast aside for singers who "look and act the part". What a treat to have both!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful music, beautiful voices and good acting
Review: This "Romeo et Juliette" is the finest on video. Roberto Alagna is an absolute joy as Romeo -- not only does he look good, but he's got an amazing voice and wonderful acting ability to match. Leontina Vaduva does very well as Juliette, although it takes a little while to get used to her facial expressions.As for content, the sets and costumes are traditional, and so is the direction. However, the death scene with melt your heart. Don't miss this outstanding video!
Rating:
Summary: First class all the way!
Review: This was a stunner in the vhs format and the dvd version only enhances what is a classic theatrical experience. Alagna and Vaduva sing and act as if they were Romeo et Juliette. The tomb scene is utterly shattering. If this scene doesn't move you, you need a heart transplant. Mackerras brings to life this great Gounod score. Alagna and Vaduva sing with ardent glory and passion, beautiful in timber, strong and yet fragile at the same time. Sets are simple and very effective. Le Reux and Lloyd must be singled out also in what is a handpicked cast. I don't think this performance will ever be surpassed. The magazine "opera Now" considered it a "classic to be" in their very powerful review. Of the top ten dvd operas now available, this is humber 1/2. Beautiful music, superbly sung and acted. This belongs in every collection.
Rating:
Summary: Gounod would be proud
Review: With traditional sets and costumes, this video could have turned out "just another opera" but, thanks to Roberto Alagna and conductor Charles Mackerras, it is a gem. Mackerras conducts the music with an assured yet gentle touch, and pays careful attention to what's happening on stage. Alagna is an ideal Romeo: not only does he look young and romantic, but he sings with caressing lyricism and acts very well indeed. His interpretation of the tomb scene could melt a heart of stone. As Juliette, Leontina Vaduva is a little tough to swallow at first, but she gets easier to handle as the opera progresses. In conclusion, treat yourself and watch this video!
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