Rating: 
Summary: A 'Historic' Forza to Own:"La Splendissima" LIVE on VHS/DVD
Review: A 'Historic' Forza to Own: "La Splendissima " on DVDI attended this performance, and even allowing for individual quibbles with various artists heard on this DVD, I believe the sum of its parts are well worth the 'PRICE' of owning it.
This performance,taped live on a Saturday AFTERNOON in 1983, presents the great American diva, soprano Leontyne Price in one of her most famous Verdi roles. Her performance, factoring in age(57), career(30+ yrs),& the AFTERNOON, is late vintage Price. Vocal mannerisms- a'cloudy' lower voice, sliding'portamenti', and'scooping'-are indeed present in this performance (as they were since the late '70s to some degree.)They, however, hardly diminish either the vocal or dramatic impact that Ms. Price brings to this live performance. Her upper register, slightly weaker than before, still rings out minus any wobble and/or false pitches. She sings with beautiful dynamic shadings to accentuate the drama, and still floats pianissimi with little obvious effort. Also,in this particular opera, most often those "mannerisms" work quite well dramatically, and always have for this artist! Indeed, her performance here is heartfelt and quite moving. As there are no other full-length taped opera performances available commercially of this legendary soprano, this DVD is all the more treasurable for a glimpse of what made her the reigning Verdi soprano for the past 40 yrs! Tenor Giuseppe Giacomini sings crudely, giving a loud, unsubtle, but dramatically believable portrayal of "Alvaro", complete with ringing high notes. Vocally, L. Nucci is a lightweight Verdi baritone, whose exciting vocalism is abetted by his acting, and HIS thrilling high notes as well. Mezzo I. Jones acts well, looks lovely, but is barely adequate vocally, with a weak 'middle voice' & a short 'top'. Basso B. Giaotti's acting is somewhat stolid, but his voice is authoritative and also is beautifully produced. Maestro J.Levine's love & mastery of this sprawling masterpiece (hear the RCA CD version with Price/Domingo/Milnes) is evident throughout, providing the inherent contrasts between searing, 'private' dramas, and all the lively interludes that occur on the battlefield and in the countryside. Overall,a fine VHS/DVD to own - not the Best taped performance (Tebaldi, Corelli, etc 1959)- but a Special one for those seeking a cohesive, modern performance of "La Forza del Destino" and starring one of its most celebrated artists, "La Splendissima" soprano Leontyne Price, LIVE!! Note: A "cut" (the Soldier's Chorus) while regrettable, is hardly FATAL. Enjoy. "EBOLENE"
Rating:
Summary: A 'Historic' Forza to Own:"La Splendissima" LIVE on VHS/DVD
Review: A 'Historic' Forza to Own: "La Splendissima " on DVD I attended this performance, and even allowing for individual quibbles with various artists heard on this DVD, I believe the sum of its parts are well worth the 'PRICE' of owning it.
This performance,taped live on a Saturday AFTERNOON in 1983, presents the great American diva, soprano Leontyne Price in one of her most famous Verdi roles. Her performance, factoring in age(57), career(30+ yrs),& the AFTERNOON, is late vintage Price. Vocal mannerisms- a'cloudy' lower voice, sliding'portamenti', and'scooping'-are indeed present in this performance (as they were since the late '70s to some degree.)They, however, hardly diminish either the vocal or dramatic impact that Ms. Price brings to this live performance. Her upper register, slightly weaker than before, still rings out minus any wobble and/or false pitches. She sings with beautiful dynamic shadings to accentuate the drama, and still floats pianissimi with little obvious effort. Also,in this particular opera, most often those "mannerisms" work quite well dramatically, and always have for this artist! Indeed, her performance here is heartfelt and quite moving. As there are no other full-length taped opera performances available commercially of this legendary soprano, this DVD is all the more treasurable for a glimpse of what made her the reigning Verdi soprano for the past 40 yrs! Tenor Giuseppe Giacomini sings crudely, giving a loud, unsubtle, but dramatically believable portrayal of "Alvaro", complete with ringing high notes. Vocally, L. Nucci is a lightweight Verdi baritone, whose exciting vocalism is abetted by his acting, and HIS thrilling high notes as well. Mezzo I. Jones acts well, looks lovely, but is barely adequate vocally, with a weak 'middle voice' & a short 'top'. Basso B. Giaotti's acting is somewhat stolid, but his voice is authoritative and also is beautifully produced. Maestro J.Levine's love & mastery of this sprawling masterpiece (hear the RCA CD version with Price/Domingo/Milnes) is evident throughout, providing the inherent contrasts between searing, 'private' dramas, and all the lively interludes that occur on the battlefield and in the countryside. Overall,a fine VHS/DVD to own - not the Best taped performance (Tebaldi, Corelli, etc 1959)- but a Special one for those seeking a cohesive, modern performance of "La Forza del Destino" and starring one of its most celebrated artists, "La Splendissima" soprano Leontyne Price, LIVE!! Note: A "cut" (the Soldier's Chorus) while regrettable, is hardly FATAL. Enjoy. "EBOLENE"
Rating:
Summary: A Tribute to a true Diva
Review: Although La forza del destino is not my favorite opera by Verdi, it does showcase Leontyne Price's magnificent voice. At times it almost seemed as if the composer had written it for her. As for the DVD, it is wonderful to be able to view the opera singers up close (something one never sees on the stage, even with opera glasses)and see the emotion on their faces. The lighting was quite dramatic, although I was a bit disappointed in the sets and expected much more from the Met (as I have seen far better and grander sets at the local operas where I live). All in all though, I highly recommend this DVD to anyone who admires Leontyne Price, as well as to anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to see her perform. Brava!
Rating:
Summary: A Tribute to a true Diva
Review: Although La forza del destino is not my favorite opera by Verdi, it does showcase Leontyne Price's magnificent voice. At times it almost seemed as if the composer had written it for her. As for the DVD, it is wonderful to be able to view the opera singers up close (something one never sees on the stage, even with opera glasses)and see the emotion on their faces. The lighting was quite dramatic, although I was a bit disappointed in the sets and expected much more from the Met (as I have seen far better and grander sets at the local operas where I live). All in all though, I highly recommend this DVD to anyone who admires Leontyne Price, as well as to anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to see her perform. Brava!
Rating: 
Summary: This could have been so much better!
Review: First of all I'm happy with the cuts they made in the DVD, In my opinion they could have cut more from the army scenes. The only time I get bored by Verdi is in this opera during all those excessive army scenes. Yet the music of his main characters in this opera is some of his best, and its has some of his best drama and music. The duets between Alvaro and Carlo are dramatically and musically charged. And Leonora's music is unmatched in beauty. But this should more be a review of the performance. Giacomini is awful, utterly disgusting. I want to scratch out my eardrums when he sings. It is so disturbing. Nucci is good, not amazing not superlative, but more than adequate. Price is obviously past her prime, her voice does not have the fullness it had in the 50, 60, or even the 70's, but every once in a while you get a glimpse of her former glory. However because Giacommini is SOOOO awful I cannot recommend this DVD to anyone. I myself could not buy it, and returned it, and I am one of Leontyne Price's biggest fans! So if you can stomach a completely unweidly vibrato, that causes shouting and no lyric line from the tenor, then you should buy this DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: bravi Forza!
Review: First off all, one must remember this is a LIVE performance, and a very good one. It seems my fellow reviewers perfer the studio recording, which often come off a bit cold.I am an operatic dramatic tenor, and find the singing very good. As for the wonderful tenor Giuseppe Giacomini, of the school of Corelli, Del Monico, thank God! This is after all a dramatic tenor opera folks! Remember Richard Tucker? And do you know what it takes to sing Verdi? Not easy! The duets between the men are wonderful!What can be said about the great Leontyne Price? Will be There ever be another Spinto Soprano like her? What would we give for moment of her glory today?
So, BUY THIS! It's GREAT! BRAVO VERDI!
Rating:
Summary: A 'Historic' Forza to Own: "La Splendissima " on DVD
Review: I attended this performance, and even allowing for individual
quibbles with various artists, heard on this DVD, I believe the sum of its parts are well worth the 'PRICE' of owning it. This performance,taped live on a Saturday AFTERNOON in 1983, presents the great American soprano Leontyne Price in one of her most renowned Verdi roles. Her performance,factoring in age (57),career (30+ yrs), and AFTERNOON,is late vintage Price.The vocal mannerisms mentioned by previous "reviewers" are indeed present in this performance(as they were in most since 1975 to some degree.) However, they hardly diminish either the vocal or dramatic impact that this splendid soprano brings to this live performance. Her upper register still rings out minus any wobble and/or false pitch. She sings with beautiful dynamic shadings to accentuate the drama, and still floats pianissimi with little obvious effort. Also,in this particular opera, most often those "mannerisms" work quite well dramatically, and always have for this artist! As there are no other full-length taped opera perf. available commercially of this legendary soprano, this DVD is all the more treasurable for a glimpse of what made her the reigning Verdi soprano of the last 40 years! No soprano TO DATE has come close to her supreme standard/domination in this music, since the reign of Zinka Milanov. Tenor G. Giacomini gives an unsubtle,loud,but dramatically believable portrayal of "Alvaro". Vocally,L. Nucci is a lightweight Verdi baritone,who nonetheless sings excitingly and acts well. Mezzo I. Jones acts well,looks lovely,and sings neither. B.Giaotti is somewhat stolid, but the voice is authorative and beautifully produced. Maestro J.Levine has always brought great life to this opera, and does so in this performance. All,in all, a fine DVD to own, not the Best taped performance (Tebaldi, Corelli,etc 1959), but a Special one for those seeking a cohesive, modern performance of a great Verdi opera with one of its most celebrated portrayers LIVE! Note: The "cut" is regrettable, but hardly FATAL. Enjoy. "EBOLENE"
Rating: 
Summary: A cut version? - Shame on Pioneer Classics!
Review: I have seen only the VHS version of this Met performance - it's well worth seeing. However, I was dismayed to read in another review that Pioneer Classics has released this on DVD in a cut version with the soldier's chorus from Act III missing. Not only does this deprive the viewer of a rousing and memorable scene, but no opera lover would want to buy a cut version of an operatic standard like La Forza. Undoubtedly this was done to fit this massive work onto one DVD, but it was a very bad marketing decision showing a poor understanding of the customers. Surely any purchaser of opera on DVD will be willing to pay a bit more for a 2-DVD set containing the complete opera -after all, the average opera DVD costs less than a single ticket in the upper balcony. I would refuse to buy this DVD in the hope that the publisher will get the message and not do this in the future! I urge others to do the same.
Rating:
Summary: Great Performance!!!!
Review: I think this DVD shows how underrated of a performer Giuseppe Giacomini is. The only other singer to have sung the part of Alvaro so well was Franco Corelli. This is an astounding voice! If you like Giacomini, check out his live CD of Otello. That is a great recording of a terrific production as well.
Leontyne Price also sings an amazing Leonora. The wonderful thing about Price is that there was rarely a time when she did not sing beautifully in her entire career. Overall I am thrilled with this recording. I frequently view it to the annoyance of all non-operalovers who happen to be present.
Rating:
Summary: The best "La forza" I know so far...
Review: The best "La forza" I know so far..., Tragic, amazingly performed and unforgettebly staged. Very nice.
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