The centenary production Puccini would have loved!
Having staged the world premiere in 1910 with Puccini in the audience it is right and fitting that the Met should make a special effort for this centenary production and with only a few minor quibbles they have come up trumps. This disc is already on release in Europe and America should not wait when it is released in the US. The cast is excellent throughout. Deborah Voigt handles the dramatically difficult role of the Wild West bar owner who has given most of her early life to "her miners" and suddenly finds love in the arms of the not very evil bandit, Johnson, quite brilliantly. Giordano as Johnson is also excellent. The staging is, thank God, much as it must have been in 1910 with no pandering to egotistical directors out to be different just for the sake of it! Lucio Gallo as Jack Rance was superb. led on by what must have a been a lonely life set against his powerful position as sheriff, the temptation to see Minnie as his by right is easy to understand and despite usually being...
Great Fanciulla, thanks to Voigt
I just ordered this video again because I gave my copy to a friend. Although I have watched it many times, I do not want to be without it, because it rewards repeated viewings.
When the 100th anniversary of this, Puccini's favorite opera, approached, many opera companies asked Deborah Voigt to star in their Fanciulla productions. She appeared in 3, with the San Francisco, Chicago Lyric, and NY Metropolitan Operas. I'm glad this is the one available on video because I like the realistic approach to sets and costumes, with horses. Also, I enjoy Ms. Voigt's chemistry with her Italian tenor, baritone and conductor. I very much enjoy her singing. It is strong, has beauty and character, and her diction is excellent. I saw her sing live at the Met 3 weeks ago and she was a fine Brunnhilde in Gotterdammerung, Here, she is a very engaging, lovely and moving Minnie. I can't get enough of the last ten minutes of Act I, where she goes from heroic to wistful to sad to lovestruck and...
The original spaghetti western
I remember seeing on PBS a previous Met production with Placido Domingo, June Anderson, and Sherill Milnes, and this is the identical, realistic production, so much so that it nearly looks like a movie. As theater, it is a well-acted, detail-rich entertainment. I'm not qualified to discuss the quality of the singing, but I enjoyed it thoroughly. There are no famous arias, yet the emotions come through Puccini's score. The New York Times review stated it isn't time for a re-invention of this opera, and agreed the lavish, realistic setting was the right choice. I also agree it would've been a nice touch had the stars departed by horse (several are used in the production). The extras are much welcomed, hosted by Sondra Radvanovsky. Deborah Voigt owns the role with much charisma and charm, and superb acting. Lucio Gallo, the Sheriff Jack Rance, is thoroughly menacing (not a Scarpia) yet conflicted. And Marcello Giordani is very believable at Dick Johnson. And all the cowboys are...
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