Rating: 
Summary: A very good production.
Review: This is a very good production of Don Carlo, probably the best of the Italian versions available - and the only version I know of with the woodcutters scene included. It also boasts a strong cast, and perhaps the only serious rival to this is the joint production with the Theatre du Chatelet and Covent Garden. Although, it does irritate me the way the five act version is always referred to in America as being in three acts with various scenes. Can anyone over the other side of the Atlantic explain this?The cast is strong in most respects, Domingo and Freni are convincing lovers who later become mother and son - although Karita Mattila and Roberta Alagna are streets ahead on the rival set available on NVC arts. And I am not just saying that because I was at the Luc Bondy production, although not the night it was consigned to DVD and CD. However, Domingo and Freni are very good, well above the adequate that I would place Louis Quilico's Posa - now here is a case of serious miscasting, which for me just spoils what is other wise an excellent cast and production. The rival set boasts the just about perfect interpretation of Thomas Hampson - who my wife and I have ensured we have seen everytime he visits The Royal Opera House. Now here the Met really takes command over the Chatelet Production in that Eboli as portrayed by Grace Bumbry is just superb and so is Nicolai Ghiaurov as King Philip - what performances they give. As does Ferruccio Furlanetto as a very frightening Grand Inquisitor. The casting is much weaker at The Chatelet in these vital roles. Also, traditionalists will probably prefer the more Conservative production at the Met to the more debateable one in Paris. I can see why the reviewers rave about this, although I less convinced of the merits of Louis Quilico's Posa. This is a very good DVD - but you know having seen Alagna and Mattila in these roles I doubt if anyone will ever truly satisfy me again. I hope I am wrong. Buy both and see what you think.
Rating:
Summary: A very good production.
Review: This is a very good production of Don Carlo, probably the best of the Italian versions available - and the only version I know of with the woodcutters scene included. It also boasts a strong cast, and perhaps the only serious rival to this is the joint production with the Theatre du Chatelet and Covent Garden. Although, it does irritate me the way the five act version is always referred to in America as being in three acts with various scenes. Can anyone over the other side of the Atlantic explain this? The cast is strong in most respects, Domingo and Freni are convincing lovers who later become mother and son - although Karita Mattila and Roberta Alagna are streets ahead on the rival set available on NVC arts. And I am not just saying that because I was at the Luc Bondy production, although not the night it was consigned to DVD and CD. However, Domingo and Freni are very good, well above the adequate that I would place Louis Quilico's Posa - now here is a case of serious miscasting, which for me just spoils what is other wise an excellent cast and production. The rival set boasts the just about perfect interpretation of Thomas Hampson - who my wife and I have ensured we have seen everytime he visits The Royal Opera House. Now here the Met really takes command over the Chatelet Production in that Eboli as portrayed by Grace Bumbry is just superb and so is Nicolai Ghiaurov as King Philip - what performances they give. As does Ferruccio Furlanetto as a very frightening Grand Inquisitor. The casting is much weaker at The Chatelet in these vital roles. Also, traditionalists will probably prefer the more Conservative production at the Met to the more debateable one in Paris. I can see why the reviewers rave about this, although I less convinced of the merits of Louis Quilico's Posa. This is a very good DVD - but you know having seen Alagna and Mattila in these roles I doubt if anyone will ever truly satisfy me again. I hope I am wrong. Buy both and see what you think.
Rating:
Summary: Very good Don Carlo, but not the best
Review: This is a very good version of Verdi's Don Carlo. Its quite good to see the orignal 1st act that usually is taken (in a live performance meybe is better skip to act 2). All the singers make a real good job, from Quilico, who is pretty old in the reconrding, but still has the heart (but the voice sound a little tired on the high notes) to Furlanetto (who looks very funny with all the makeup, in that recording he must be about 30 i think). The comparison between this version and the Karajan one (with doenst have the first act) is inevitable. I preffer the Don Carlo of Domingo over the Carreras (Carreras is very good in the karajan version, dont get me wrong, but when you have two good voices, the one that can act wins), the Rodrigo is better sung by Capuccilli, but Quilico has something special abut him... Both Elizabetha are impresive, and also the Eboli's. Ghiaurov is amazing, but Furlanetto has a deeper voice (i mean Furlanetto as Phillip). The Inquisitors are very good in both versions, but Salminem is my favourite over Furlanetto (also because haring the duo between Phillip and the Inquisitor of the Karajan version in high volumen can really sacre you).
I slightly preffer the Karajan version (because of karajan too) but this is also worth the buck.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not great
Review: This version of Don Carlo (my favorite opera of all time) had some good qualities but there were also some qualities that definitely needed improvement. The good aspects: 1. This is an Italian, full five-act version that even includes the peasant chorus at the very beginning. The first act (Carlo and Elizabeth in Fontainebleau) is very essential to the opera; it is full of beautiful music, character development, and it provides the only remotely happy moment in the three and a half hours this opera lasts. 2. Placido Domingo as Carlo. Placido Domingo is THE Carlo. 3. Mirella Freni as Elizabetta. Her performance of Elizabetta is good, though not as good as Montserrat Caballe as Elizabetta. 4. Ferruccio Furlanetto as the Grand Inquisitor. His appearance and his voice are both chilling in this performance. The bad aspects: 1. James Levine takes several parts of the opera way too fast. For example, he seems to rush through Rodrigo and Carlo's oath of friendship in Act II. 2. Louis Quilico as Rodrigo. Louis Quilico should be replaced by Sherrill Milnes. Quilico just seems to breeze through Rodrigo's lines, and his acting abilities leaves a lot to be desired. For example, Rodrigo's outburst act the end of Act II, "Orrenda, orrenda pace! La pace de sepolchri!" should sting. But Quilico manages to make it sound very bland. 3. Grace Bumbry as Eboli. Her singing is a bit sharp, and after hearing Shirley Verrett as Eboli, Bumbry seems rather inadequate as the vengeful, vicious princess. 4. Betsy Norden as Tebaldo. Delia Wallis makes such a better Tebaldo. This soprano's voice is much too small for an opera of this scope. My recommendation? You might want to think about this performance, but definitely go for the Giulini version with Domingo, Caballe, Raimondi, Verrett, and Milnes.
Rating: 
Summary: ALL- STAR MET DON CARLO NOT TO BE BEATEN
Review: This video, originally released in 1984 on Laserdisc and scheduled for DVD release on Aug. 21, 2001 is a must-have for any serious opera collector. Where, today, could you find a cast of this calibre: Freni, Domingo, Bumbry, Quilico, Ghiaurov and Furlanetto, conducted by James Levine? The sets are austere yet atmospheric and the costumes are beautiful and of the correct period -- a quality rarely seen in today's opera houses. The performance from March 1983 finds all the singers in fine voice. Freni, Domingo (even with a crack or two), Ghiaurov and Furlanetto are not to be faulted. Miss Bumbry's tendency to sharp slightly and in some instances distance herself from the music (you can see the technical gears working) and Mr. Quilico's blustery manner are small flaws that once gotten used to, seem to fade into the background of this generally outstanding document. Mr. Levine'a authoritative, stylish and energetic conducting coaxes an exciting performance out of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and David Stivender's chorus. This is a live performance so sometimes a microphone may pick up a violin or a soprano or tenor chorister's voice a little too accurately, but again -- that is a small price to pay for this calibre of performance. This DVD is heartily recommended and will hold it's place for a long time to come as THE video DON CARLO to have. Also, the DVD quality of this performance is to be looked forward to because of the flawed pressings on the Pioneer Laserdics when they were originally released. Bravo, Pioneer for making this DON CARLO availabale, finally, on DVD!
Rating:
Summary: Performance Envy
Review: Watching this production on DVD is bittersweet only because you realize that to have seen it in the Met live must have been one of those rare and exceptional performances everyone wishes they experienced. The singing and acting of all of the principal singers is superlative, with top billing going to Freni, Bumbry, Ghiaurov and Domingo. The strength, drama and beauty of Freni's portrayal as Elisabetta here in the duets, arias and in the auto da fe is not to be missed. She is well paired with Domingo who gives a equally exceptional singing and dramatic performance. The strength of the other cast members, orchestra, the direction of James Levine and the chorus all enhance this performance. I wish the DVD had more bonus features and had more detailed chapter selection so that you are able to maneuver through the DVD to specific parts of any Act but these are only minor drawbacks given the overall strong performance. If you find that you are listening to only one or two CDs of the full audio recording of this opera at any given time, you will have quite a different experience to this DVD. Once it goes into your DVD player, you will be mesmerized from start to finish and find yourself applauding and yelling "Bravi!" along with the audience in the end. A worthwhile investment for any music lover.
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