Rating: 
Summary: Pasionate Performance
Review: The singing is great, with Scotto at top. Scotto acts as I've never seen her before and Domingo isn't bad in that either. Levine's orchestral work is the best of his that I've heard. The camera work is excellent too, with almost flawless composition.But what sets this opera apart is the passion and emotion binding these elements and its principals together, rendering it much more than the sum of its parts. Yes, I thought that in Act I they hadn't really gotten into yet, I wouldn't have minded a bit more lushness from the orchestra, and the VHS sound is definitely no CD, but no matter for a performance like this.
Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: This is my favorite opera production. I consider it to be one of the greatest ever (as did Domingo). Occasionally there is a camera problem, but it's minor. This is a sexy opera and the stars give it right back to us. Yes, I prefer Freni (my goddess) than Scotto, but Scotto makes up her vocal shrillness with her incredible acting. This is a must see for Manon lovers and I can't wait to see it next year live at Seattle Opera.
Enjoy, friends!
Rating:
Summary: 5 stars but 2nd Best Manon L.
Review: This is well done and I have had in my collection for years along with Domingo and Kiri in Covent Garden production. I love them both but prefer Covent Garden just a little over this one due to the chemistry of Domingo and TeKanawa who's singing is better than Scotto's as she was beginning to dim vocally. However, the two productions are so different that they are both required for any opera collection. Domingo fans will just love him in what he used to say was his "favorite role". I recommend both versions!
Rating:
Summary: 5 stars but 2nd Best Manon L.
Review: This is well done and I have had in my collection for years along with Domingo and Kiri in Covent Garden production. I love them both but prefer Covent Garden just a little over this one due to the chemistry of Domingo and TeKanawa who's singing is better than Scotto's as she was beginning to dim vocally. However, the two productions are so different that they are both required for any opera collection. Domingo fans will just love him in what he used to say was his "favorite role". I recommend both versions!
Rating:
Summary: Puccini must be proud and thrilled!
Review: This Manon caught Scotto in superb voice with drama and credibility in abundance. The word ravishlingly beautiful comes to mind in regards to her piano and forte notes. I wonder if she ever surpassed this performanace: a performance in every way simply overwhelming. I don't think her famous Barbaroli "Butterfly" is as great at this.I have not seen her "Francesca da Rimini" but it can't be better than this. Then again Zandonai is no Puccini. But that cast is as great as this one! Domingo is superb, piano and forte and acting-wise he is equally on par with Scotto. He owns Act III and she owns Act IV and they magnificently share the first two. Elvira is also wonderful, beautiful in tone and his acting too is very moving. He is an underated baritone for sure. This DVD is a vocal feast in every good sense of the word. The sets are beautiful and finally, Levine and the Met orchestra are as always magnificent and on this occasion drawn to greater heights by the great singing on stage. Overall a must have. Anyone who came late in Scotto's career must see and hear this to appreciate what the clamor was all about. In this performance she lives up to and beyond all the fuss that accompanied her performances. She like Domingo are committed artists in every role they sing. There should be special oscars and grammys for opera performances like this. They don't come along too often. If this doesn't become an Amazon.com big seller something is wrong somewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, you must buy this.....
Review: Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to see Renata Scotto live in the theatre, but I am told that she is an excellent singing actress. Witness that for yourself in this magnificent production of one of my favourite Puccini operas. When Scotto is on stage you can't take your eyes off her, and watch her face at the end of Act III as DeGrieux pleads with the Captain to let him join her on board ship - what an amazing actress she is. She makes you laugh, she makes you cry - what more can you ask for? There is a chemistry between her and Domingo that inspires him to give one of the greatest perfomances I have ever seen from him (and yes I was at his Covent Garden Otello in front of the late Princess of Wales). The other principals are excellent, but this is an opera about two people, and they carry it off to perfection. The production is near perfect and the Met Orchestra give a faultless perfomance. I urge you to buy this DVD at once - you will see and hear no better.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, you must buy this.....
Review: Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to see Renata Scotto live in the theatre, but I am told that she is an excellent singing actress. Witness that for yourself in this magnificent production of one of my favourite Puccini operas. When Scotto is on stage you can't take your eyes off her, and watch her face at the end of Act III as DeGrieux pleads with the Captain to let him join her on board ship - what an amazing actress she is. She makes you laugh, she makes you cry - what more can you ask for? There is a chemistry between her and Domingo that inspires him to give one of the greatest perfomances I have ever seen from him (and yes I was at his Covent Garden Otello in front of the late Princess of Wales). The other principals are excellent, but this is an opera about two people, and they carry it off to perfection. The production is near perfect and the Met Orchestra give a faultless perfomance. I urge you to buy this DVD at once - you will see and hear no better.
Rating:
Summary: A Superb DVD.Get It !
Review: What a superb DVD experience,even to an italian opera strayed
guy like me!This actually great performance,without any speck has
an inebriant "Manon" by Scotto,Domingo(what about the love duet
on Act II?It's unbeliavable!),the most rich production,the
accurate Met orchestra(I think R.Elster was the principal harp
at that time.A formidable orchestral player)Levine and so on.
If Wagner and Strauss operas holds much of your time like to
me,listen my advice;ignore the libretto's debility and move on.
Get it!
Rating:
Summary: A Superb DVD.Get It !
Review: What a superb DVD experience,even to an italian opera strayed
guy like me!This actually great performance,without any speck has
an inebriant "Manon" by Scotto,Domingo(what about the love duet
on Act II?It's unbeliavable!),the most rich production,the
accurate Met orchestra(I think R.Elster was the principal harp
at that time.A formidable orchestral player)Levine and so on.
If Wagner and Strauss operas holds much of your time like to
me,listen my advice;ignore the libretto's debility and move on.
Get it!
| 
