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Rating: 
Summary: Rollicking Good Fun
Review: A reasonable reader, considering the low ratings given by the other reviewers, might conclude that is is a bad DVD, to be avoided, fundamentally flawed, not worth the money.
No, its jolly good fun, well acted, the sound is good, and the story is funny.
This production may or may not be a good parody of Gluck's opera (or of the myriad of other Orpheus and Eurydice stories that have been done in the last 2500 years).
The point is that this is the only DVD available for Orpheus in the Underworld; so it's this or nothing. And, certainly, if you otherwise want Orpheus in the Underworld, go ahead and buy this one. It's fine.
I've given it five stars to compensate for the low ratings others have given it. I hope that others also will plug it.
Rating: 
Summary: It's a Hell of a Story
Review: Although I must admit I was somewhat baffled by the plot (most likely because I was trying not to read the subtitles and simply listen to the French), I thought the singing and acting superb. Our 14-year-old son understandably was not as enthusiastic nor was my husband, but there were times when we all laughed out loud. I personally like the opening scene - and wonder if the actor/singer were actually playing the violin (it looked convincing, anyway). Perhaps if we knew more about the 2nd Empire or a European lifestyle we would have "gotten it" more, too, but it was enjoyable.
Rating: 
Summary: worst DVD ever?
Review: Beyond belief. So bad it just lays there. How could anyone ever produce, film or release this mess on DVD? Poor Offenbach. The Kent Nagano "Tales of Hoffman" was awful but nothing like this. The perfect gift for your worse enemy.
Rating:
Summary: worst DVD ever?
Review: Beyond belief. So bad it just lays there. How could anyone ever produce, film or release this mess on DVD? Poor Offenbach. The Kent Nagano "Tales of Hoffman" was awful but nothing like this. The perfect gift for your worse enemy.
Rating:
Summary: A terrible travesty
Review: Everybody is having a very good time in this performance; it is a farce. Offenbach composed a satire, and there is a difference. This is so poorly sung, conceivably by the Newark Light Opera Company, and as bad as the English language version I saw at Sadler Wells some years ago in London. I concluded that the English should leave Offenbach alone, and that the French should, in return, leave Gilbert and Sullivan alone. Everything backfires in a farce that isn't even funny. Perhaps it should not have been staged in Brussels, more famous for its chocolate than its music.The fantastic music drags, the political and mythological satire is almost lost in comic antics, and the muscial satire on Gluck's great setting of the work gets lost in a nit-wit production. I was brought up on the old Rene Leibowitz recording, now probably in Hades as well, and I own the recent recording by EMI with Natalie Dessay, and the great Eva Podles doing Public Opinion in her somewhat infamous low-alto, basso-profundo range.
If not the ideal total performance, it makes Offenbach's music and satire work to great effect, as opposed to this silly bit of incompetence, which anybody knowing the piece should avoid like a stinking zebra. Why this version was released, and,indeed, well reviewed by your editor, remains beyond my comprehension. A friend watching it with me was as utterly bored as I was.
Rating:
Summary: A terrible travesty
Review: Everybody is having a very good time in this performance; it is a farce. Offenbach composed a satire, and there is a difference. This is so poorly sung, conceivably by the Newark Light Opera Company, and as bad as the English language version I saw at Sadler Wells some years ago in London. I concluded that the English should leave Offenbach alone, and that the French should, in return, leave Gilbert and Sullivan alone. Everything backfires in a farce that isn't even funny. Perhaps it should not have been staged in Brussels, more famous for its chocolate than its music. The fantastic music drags, the political and mythological satire is almost lost in comic antics, and the muscial satire on Gluck's great setting of the work gets lost in a nit-wit production. I was brought up on the old Rene Leibowitz recording, now probably in Hades as well, and I own the recent recording by EMI with Natalie Dessay, and the great Eva Podles doing Public Opinion in her somewhat infamous low-alto, basso-profundo range.
If not the ideal total performance, it makes Offenbach's music and satire work to great effect, as opposed to this silly bit of incompetence, which anybody knowing the piece should avoid like a stinking zebra. Why this version was released, and,indeed, well reviewed by your editor, remains beyond my comprehension. A friend watching it with me was as utterly bored as I was.
Rating:
Summary: Could be peppier
Review: I don't think this is as awful as other reviewers say, but it's not as effective as the amazon.com reviewer claims, either. Musically, I prefer the Michel Plasson-directed Orphee on EMI. It's both more sprightly and more profound, capturing the full range of Offenbach's unique genius. The singing here is generally lovely (with some exceptions), and the set fantastic. There are some wonderful visual moments, but the pace isn't quite exciting or dramatic enough, ditto the comedic moments, and the choreography could be more imaginative. PBS did a brilliant one decades ago that I've rarely seen or heard surpassed; sadly, it's not available.
Rating:
Summary: Could be peppier
Review: I don't think this is as awful as other reviewers say, but it's not as effective as the amazon.com reviewer claims, either. Musically, I prefer the Michel Plasson-directed Orphee on EMI. It's both more sprightly and more profound, capturing the full range of Offenbach's unique genius. The singing here is generally lovely (with some exceptions), and the set fantastic. There are some wonderful visual moments, but the pace isn't quite exciting or dramatic enough, ditto the comedic moments, and the choreography could be more imaginative. PBS did a brilliant one decades ago that I've rarely seen or heard surpassed; sadly, it's not available.
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