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Gaetano Donizetti - La Fille du régiment / Dessay, Florez, Palmer, Corbelli, French, Campanella, Pelly (Royal Opera House 2007)
RRP: £13.99
Our Price: £9.34 (subject to change)
The best entertainment ever.
Review date: 2008-06-28 Rating: 10 out of 10
This has to be the most exuberant production of all time. There is not a moment wasted and the direction and acting are sensational.
This is a lyrical tour de force. How does Natalie Dessay manage to control her voice whilst lying down or being thrown around? Juan Diego Flores is a delight and in fine voice and the supporting cast is wonderful.
A not-to-be-missed masterpiece by Donizetti.
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Reviews
Beautifully staged and sung and so funny
Review date: 2008-05-19 Rating: 10 out of 10
I'm afraid that there's not much to add to the previous review except to say that I agree with every word.
I am not qualified to judge anyone's singing but would just like to say that I enjoyed every moment and watch it over and over again.
All-star cast, 5-star entertainment
Review date: 2008-05-16 Rating: 10 out of 10
With the stellar cast of Dessay, Florez, Corbelli, and Palmer, one sits down to watch this DVD with high expectations. And one would not be disappointed.
Laurent Pelly's production is highly entertaining stuff. There is always something to occupy the eye, and though it may strike some people as 'overly busy', one can't help being amused at the sheer inventiveness of some of the stage business. He obviously demands a lot from his singers, especially the amazing Dessay, who has to be the most fearless artist performing today. As a comedienne she is her most physical, punctuating every vocal turn and flourish with a corresponding bodily movement. On first viewing, this kind of hyper-physical comedy is enchanting; however, I have to say it wears a bit thin on subsequent viewings, and I find myself longing for a comic portrayal that is more human and based more on character. Vocally, her coloratura is as bravura as ever, but too much pressure and spreading just above the upper passaggio in louder moments makes one fear a bit for her technical health.
Florez, in this particular performance, shows a tendency toward sharpness; but the elegant line, sensitive phrasing, and unerring style are all there.
Corbelli and Palmer are marvelous, as expected. It's gratifying to have on film a performance by Corbelli in a language other than his native Italian--he has excellent command of French, as well as German and English, which not many in the business are aware of. Dawn French, in the non-singing role of the Duchess of Krakenthorp (sp?) elicits guffaws of "Olympic" proportions (that's an inside joke; you have to watch the DVD to get it).
I'm sorry I can't compare this production with the other Florez "Fille" (the one with Ciofi), but I'll leave that to someone who has seen both. I can, however, heartily recommend this one.
Product Details/Specifications
Artist(s):
Gaetano Donizetti
Actor(s):
Natalie Dessay
Dawn French
Felicity Palmer
Juan Diego Florez
Alessandro Corbelli
Creators:
Natalie Dessay (Primary Contributor)
Juan Diego Florez (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Virgin Classics (EMI Music)
Manufacturer: Virgin Classics (EMI Music)
EAN: 5099951900298
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Classical, Colour, DVD-Video, PAL,
Release date: 2008-04-21
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Exempt
Running time: 132 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2007
Language: French (Original Language)
Language: English (Original Language)