Rating: 
Summary: Promesa que cuesta la vida
Review: Pavarotti no es el único que impresiona en esta magnífica edición. Él comparte su nivel por lo menos con tres cantantes más de primer orden. Los coros son impresionantes, lo mismo que las arias. Normalmente, destacamos primero la música, el canto, la orquesta, el, valet, el vestuario de una ópera y quizá al final el argumento. En Ernani podríamos invertir el orden. Un argumento tan profundo como la música. No es un drama de pretexto para llorar. Ernani lleva a reflexionar, incluso con jóvenes, sobre aquella pugna interminable entre disfrutar las oportunidades hoy o pagar una promesa con la vida. La trama queda en la mente como un interrogante de mucha actualidad y la música como una melodía que no se puede olvidar. A quienes nos afectó la conquista española de América, podemos apreciar la vida en Europa en ese entonces. Alianzas y lealtades del viejo mundo.
Rating:
Summary: Valuable performance
Review: The review is based on Pioneer DVD copy, serial number PC-99-102-D. God, fine, brilliant 1983 years performance from Met. All these kind of words you can decide to this cast. Definitely, it is difficult for all tenors to be in excellent shape just in first act, when tenor has big aria and scenes (the same experienced Gino Penno in live Cetra recording), but Pavarotti is better in second act with traditionally omitted aria after well-known duet with de Silva (this aria is recorded in studio by Pavarotti with Claudio Abbado on CBS label), but there is no way to hear cabaletta with chorus after aria in II act (at least I have never heard this piece!!!). And he is excellent in last final trio. Raimondi is fine de Silva, absolutely different interpretation and sonically may be much less impressive then Christoff classic performance, but with his play it become captivate. Milnes is not in top vocal shape, however he gives a very solid face of King Carlo, it is worth to listen and watch him. Although Leona Mitchell (Leonora) is bad prototype of Leontine Price, she doesn't spoil the cast. Tempos are fast, however under the sensitive and right James Levine reading everything seems beautiful. And we need to mention maestro Verdi's deep both musical and theatre talent, fully revealed him in this opera. Not in vain famous German film director and big music lover Werner Herzog used final trio in his best and great film 'Fitzcarraldo'(1982) with fantastic Klaus Kinski in title role.
Finally, I have to say a couple words about technical details of the copy, sound is terrific - beautifully recorder, as studio audio recording, picture is clear, as it should be, unlike Kultur Film (see my review of Donizetti's Lucrezia Borgia on DVD) copies.
There is no way do not recommend this full version (more longer than Schippers version on RCA studio recording) of the opera performance. If you buy you will definitely love it.
Rating:
Summary: A must have for any opera lover
Review: This is a historical performance. For the first time in over 100 years,the alternate finale of Act 2 is being played in a major opera house,Pavarotti receiving a well deserved ovation after the aria and cabaletta wrote by Verdi for his famous contemporary tenor, Ivanov. Mitchell and Raimondi are in superb voice, both very secure with the exposed high notes from the score. As it was only later known, this is the first performance of Milnes after his vocal chords surgery. Altough he takes a little time to warm up, he manages afterwards to bring down the house in style, with a fantastic A-flat at the end of his big aria. Levine conducts with style the orchestra and chorus,in a performance staged during the Met centenial celebrations.
Rating:
Summary: Must to have performance.
Review: This is majestic performance. Everyone here on his or her best. Pavarotti is glorious and really tragic as Ernani. I know, I'm not original here: I like Pavarotti. Milnes makes unforgettable Carlo. Silva presented by Raimondi is fabulous. Mitchell makes outstanding Leonora. Honestly, this production is something of opera's best life recorded performances that I ever saw. Levine direction is perfect. He gives the voices pop up and sound on their best. This one is whole pleasure to listen.
One more word to say about the chorus: it is one of the unforgettable. I really think that this production is one to the treasure.
Rating:
Summary: Must to have performance.
Review: This is majestic performance. Everyone here on his or her best. Pavarotti is glorious and really tragic as Ernani. I know, I'm not original here: I like Pavarotti. Milnes makes unforgettable Carlo. Silva presented by Raimondi is fabulous. Mitchell makes outstanding Leonora. Honestly, this production is something of opera's best life recorded performances that I ever saw. Levine direction is perfect. He gives the voices pop up and sound on their best. This one is whole pleasure to listen.
One more word to say about the chorus: it is one of the unforgettable. I really think that this production is one to the treasure.
Rating: 
Summary: pretty close to top notch
Review: what more could anyone ask for? Pavarotti is brilliant as Ernani, no doubt this is one of his best roles. But he stares mostly at the prompter, and remains pretty much glued to this one spot on the stage. It would have been great if he had acted some more. oh well. Raimondi is one of the best singers I've ever heard - his Act One aria and cabaletta are one of the highlights of this performance. His acting is fine also. Levine and the orchestra once again prove that they're the best in the U.S. Mitchell is completely miscast here. this role is not for her. she gasps for breath like a fish out of water. when she does this (quite often), her breasts puff up and down in such a distracting way that ruins her performance. try not to look when this happens. Milnes has his vocal problems much in evident here, but he still brings down the house, esp. in Act Three during his aria, where he finally hits his stride. Production, supporting roles, chorus are all very good. so except for Mitchell, this is highly reccomended. I hope someday modern technology can provide Mirella Freni's Elvira from the La Scala version. that would definately be the cherry on the sundae! buy this for sure, though. this one's as best as they come.
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