"La Boheme" with Teresa Stratas (2009 DVD)

La Boheme (1982)

2009 DVD release, Deutsche Grammophon, 125 minutes

Featuring Teresa Stratas, Jose Carreras, Renata Scotto, Richard Stilwell, Allan Monk, James Morris

Finally, Deutsche Grammophon has released a masterfully restored version of this stunning performance. This features restored video, remastered audio with options for stereo or 5.1 surround, choices of subtitles in six languages, and the BTS featurette. If you have the 1999 Pioneer release, this is a fabulous upgrade.

This was filmed live at the 16 Jan 1982 performance for a MET telecast and features an all-star cast, led by the amazing Teresa Stratas. The film shows the sometimes inadequate lighting, due to the non-studio sets. However, this DVD has restored it and given it a much clearer and detailed picture. The sound is remastered beautifully and features a crisp 5.1 channel as well as a stereo option. The sound is much, much sharper and has more depth than the previous DVD version.

One of the largest differences for me was the option of choosing or removing subtitles. The older disc has permanent English titles, which was not my choice. This one gives you the option of six different languages or simply having no subtitles at all. Fabulous!

This new version also features the featurette, "Zefferelli on La Boheme". Although the Pioneer DVD said that it was included, it wasn't. You could only see it on the VHS tape. The featurette is about 20 minutes long, I think and show the set being assembled on stage and Mr. Zefferelli directing the singers in a few scenes. Very fun and informative as well as providing a nice glimpse behind-the-scenes. This DVD comes with a nice booklet that gives you an overview of each chapter and tells you about the production.

All in all, this is a fabulous version, worht adding to your collection or upgrading from the previous edition. Carreras and Stratas give excellent performances as Mimi and Rodolfo, emotional, heartfelt, beautifully acted and sung! This is my very favorite version of Puccini's masterpiece, and one that I watch over and over. The new DVD release definitely wins praise from me and I highly recommend it for any fans of Boheme or any of the singers.

See entry about previous DVD version.

Producer's Showcase: Festival of Music Vol. 1

Producer's Showcase: Festival of Music - Volume 1
89 minutes; Video Artists Int'l

This is the complete January 30, 1956 live broadcast featuring artists Leonard Warren, Jan Peerce, Rise Stevens, Zinka Milanov, Roberta Peters, Blanche Thebom, Mildred Miller, Renata Tebaldi, Jussi Bjorling, and other classical performers.

A great way to see many of the older singers, however, the standout is Renata Tebaldi and Jussi Bjorling singing the end of Act 1 from La Boheme. It starts a little before "Che Gelida Manina" and goes until the end of the scene. Two great artists in a superb performance of a classic piece. Thrilling and beautiful.

The DVD is nicely restored and contains all the original Ford commercials. Actor Charles Laughton is host and has some very funny descriptions of opera stories!

Joan Sutherland: The Reluctant Prima Donna

Joan Sutherland: The Reluctant Prima Donna
60 minutes; 2007 Kultur Video DVD

A look at the career of opera legend, Dame Joan Sutherland, as told through interviews with her and her contemporaries (including Franco Zefferelli, Luciano Pavarotti, and her husband, Richard Bonynge). Really fun DVD that gives a nice glimpse into a legendary ladies' career. This does include a clip of her guest appearance on "The Dinah Shore Show" where she sang two trios with Dinah Shore and Ella Fitzgerald! A very fun DVD for fans of Dame Joan.

Deep In My Heart (1954)

Deep In My Heart (1954)
Starring Jose Ferrer, Merle Oberon, and Helen Traubel.
132 minutes; MGM Studios

A bio-pic of operetta composer Sigmund Romberg, this film shines from the presence of Wagnerian Soprano Helen Traubel, who steals the show as Romberg's lifelong friend. She sings five numbers; "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise", "Auf Wiedersehn", "You Will Remember Vienna", Stouthearted Men", and "Leg of Mutton". Wonderful to be able to see such a great operatic personality in a role that is more than a walk-on appearence. Here are video clips of two of her numbers. She is fantastic!

Here she is singing "Auf Wiedersehn" as Merle Oberon, Jose Ferrer, and Doe Avedon listen.

Singing "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise" while Merle Oberon listens in raptures (as I do!).

Zefferelli's "La Traviata" with Teresa Stratas

La Traviata (1982)
Featuring Teresa Stratas, Placido Domingo, and Cornell MacNeil. Directed by Franco Zefferelli
105 minutes; Universal Studios

This is an “Opera Film”. Actually filmed like a movie, elaborate sets (maybe too elaborate?). More acting from the performers than in a stage production and about twenty minutes of the score was trimmed to make the movie a better length (I have never listened to a complete recording of “Traviata” so I don’t know it as well as some, but I didn’t notice any abrupt sounding cuts or anything). Teresa Stratas gives a wonderful acting performance of the dying Violetta. The scene in Act II where Germont asks Violetta to leave is very well done and vocally pleasing. The lip syncing is sometimes noticeable to a watchful eye but generally all right. The dresses tend to be rather low-cut and a bit immodest. Widescreen, it does have removable subtitles.



Here is a clip from the film of Teresa Stratas as Violetta singing "Addio, del passato".

Madame Butterfly (1974) Film

Madame Butterfly (1974)
Featuring Mirella Freni, Placido Domingo, and Christa Ludwig
145 minutes; Deutsche Grammophone DVD

Good singing, poor staging. The director filmed this like a movie and the finished product is somewhat odd to watch, with Placido Domingo chewing gum through much of the first half(even while singing) and voices singing while the characters are doing something else. An interesting note, though. It started out as a plain recording with the same people except Pavarotti instead of Domingo. When they decided to make a film out of it, they recorded Placido Domingo’s part and spliced it into the recording, replacing Pavarotti, then the performers lip-synced to the recording during filming. This is a phenomenal recording of “Madame Butterfly” and Mirella Freni shines in one of her greatest roles. Well worth listening to, just turn the television screen off.

La Fanciulla del West (1991)

La Fanciulla del West
1991 La Scala performance
142 Minutes; Image Entertainment DVD

Featuring Placido Domingo, Mara Zampieri, and Juan Pons
The two stars turn in great performances. Mara Zampieri is wonderful as "Minnie", and Domingo is always great as the bandit "Ramirez". Well worth watching if you like this opera. The downfall to this is that the subtitles are stationary.

Concerto Italiano (1965)

Concerto Italiano: 1965 CBC Broadcast
Featuring Renata Tebaldi with Louis Quilico
53 minutes; Video Artists International DVD

Canadian broadcast of Tebaldi singing “O Mio Babbino Caro”, Venetian songs, and the scene from Act II of Tosca where she kills Scarpia (which is performed fully staged). Worth the viewing just to see Tebladi perform some great Puccini arias.

La Forza del Destino (1984)

La Forza del Destino
1984 Metropolitan Opera performance
featuring Leontyne Price and Giacomo Giacomini
180 Minutes; Deutsche Grammophon DVD

The incomparable Leontyne Price! What more is there to say? Every note she sings is well worth your time, beginning to end. The last act alone is worth watching, even if you aren’t interested in the whole opera. Her phenomenal rendition of "Pace, Pace, Mio Dio" is an absolute MUST! The remastered DVD is GREAT!

La Boheme (1982) with Teresa Stratas (1999 Pioneer DVD)

This is another of one of my favorite opera DVDs. Stratas and Carreras are wonderful. I listen to this all the time. However, this does not sound like a studio recording, as it was filmed live at the Met. I will embed a few of my favorite arias/duets from this recording in another post.

La Boheme
1982 Metropolitan Opera performance
featuring Teresa Stratas, Renata Scotto, and Jose Carreras
141 minutes; 1991 release, Paramount VHS, Geneon [Pioneer] DVD

Teresa Stratas and Jose Carreras turn in well-acted, grand performances of "Mimi", and "Rodolfo". Renata Scotto is a little shaky and seems a little stretched, especially the high range. The entire production is well staged, acted and beautifully sung. Definitely well worth the time, one of the best versions of Puccini’s masterwork. The only con is that the subtitles cannot be removed.

The Art of Singing

The Art of Singing: Golden Voices of the Century
116 minutes; Nvc Arts DVD

Fantastic viewing. Footage of 28 great singers, beginning with Caruso and ending with Callas. Features other greats, such as Tebaldi, Bjorling, di Stefano, Tetrazini, Corelli, Sutherland, Price, Stevens, and Ponselle. Some newsreel footage of Caruso. Rosa Ponselle's Hollywood screen tests. A bit of Callas singing "Parigi, o cara" with Alfredo Kraus, from the famous Lisbon "Traviata". Many other rare and fascinating film clips. Interviews with Rosa Ponselle, Magda Olivero, Thomas Hampson, and others. This DVD offers one of the best ways to become familiar with the great opera singers from the golden era and would be a great introduction video for an opera newcomer. Consider this a quick Historical Opera Performers 101.

Fidelio (1991) with Gabriela Benackova

For my first review, I may as well start with the best. This is one of my very favorite opera recordings!

Fidelio
1991 Royal Opera House, Covent Garden performance
featuring Gabriela Benackova and Josef Protschka
124 Minutes; Image Entertainment DVD (also available on VHS)

When you combine Beethoven’s superb music with the remarkable voice of Gabriela Benackova, there’s only one thing wrong: it’s over too soon. In my opinion, this is simply the BEST “Fidelio” out there, film or recording. Gabriela Benackova shines as Leonore. Her “Abscheulicher!” is so thrilling that it’s over before you know it. Monte Pederson’s “Ha welch ein augenblick” and Marie McLaughlin’s “O war ich schon” are only a couple of the highlights of this performance.
Definitely worth the time!



Here is a sample video from this film.