Donizetti - Lucia di Lammermoor / Devia, La Scola, Bruson, Colombara, Berti, Ranzani, La Scala Opera

Starring:Donizetti, Bruson, Devia, Scola, Ranzani
Studio: BBC / Opus Arte
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

I wish I'd seen Mr. Doucet's review before I bought it...
a marvellous bargain
A Barely Adequate Lucia
A GOTHIC DEVIA DI LAMMERMOOR!
First-rate, traditional Lucia

Donizetti - Lucia di Lammermoor / Devia, La Scola, Bruson, Colombara, Berti, Ranzani, La Scala Opera
Starring: Renato Bruson , Vincenzo La Scola , Mariella Devia , Marco Berti , and Carlo Colombara
Manufacturer: BBC / Opus Arte
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00027LD5W
Release Date: 2004-07-20

Customer Reviews:

I wish I'd seen Mr. Doucet's review before I bought it..........2007-01-27

.... but I've had it since it came out in 2004. I rather like Devia - I mean, she's so non-diva-ish. While her voice isn't what I'd call pretty, at least she gets the job done without giving me sweaty palms (sorry about the damned faint praise, to paraphrase).

What is most startling is that Bruson is off-pitch most of the time. This gives us a sextette which has to be the worst heard this side of a high school auditorium. Donizetti... well, who knows what Donizetti is doing these days?

I do have a Dame Joan/Kraus DVD which is fine, although it's never bowled me over. I'd rather the Riccarelli or the Moffo.

a marvellous bargain.......2006-10-16

Excellently staged in an "orthodox" manner and superbly sung. This is one of the 10 operas in the "La Scalla" DVD collection - each a bargain if bought individually but if bought as a collection they are a "STEAL". I have 5 and all are excellent. A great way to begin a DVD opera collection and a wonderful gift for a friend who doesn't have most of the operas included in the set.

A Barely Adequate Lucia.......2006-02-25

This is an opera I know very well. To be frank, I got 1/3 through this recording and it's been on the shelf ever since. Not impressed by the singers. Orchestra OK.

Regards, Dick Doucet

A GOTHIC DEVIA DI LAMMERMOOR!.......2006-02-19

This Lucia comes straight out of a dark 19th century oil-painting in a museum. Because of this, don't expect to find it lovely or romantic. Awe-inspiring is the word that comes to my mind and if you pay attention you can almost feel the chilly halls of Lammermoor Castle.

La Scola was a great surprise as Edgardo. A VERY fine Italian tenor with good squillo and well balanced acting. His top notes are particularly impressive. Bruson's lyric baritone has lost some of its opulence but it's still a great voice for this role. Colombara in one of his many Raimondos is noble but determined and his firm top notes come in handy.

Devia was in her 40s but she sounds as fresh as any soprano who had just made her debut. Her petite figure also ensures she looks the part. She was at the peak of her powers in 1992 and offers some of the finest singing on video of any vocal era. The mad scene, a scene I usually can't stand because of its lenght, is the highlight of the entire performance and both vocally and dramatically she took my breath away. Her perfect high notes and especially the staccati become expressive, natural sounds unlike any I've heard before and I'm aware of the stiff competition. All this spectacular singing is complimented with a balanced stage presence that is graceful overall and haunting in the mad scene.

Especially effective is the team work of the entire cast who bring the beauty of Donizetti's music forward. At any price, this is a performance that will honour your music library.

First-rate, traditional Lucia.......2005-05-09

I can only second earlier comments about this splendid 1992 La Scala production: traditional settings, glorious costumes and spectacular singing. Devia is note-perfect throughout - a lovely instrument. Tenor La Scola partners with her effortlessly, with a great italianate "squilo" sound. Conductor Ranzani leads the Scala forces in a competent, if not entirely thrilling reading of the score.

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