Andrea Bocelli - Sacred Arias: The Home Video

Starring:Andrea Bocelli
Studio: Philips
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Critics may remain divided over Andrea Bocelli's operatic credentials, but the popular verdict long ago crowned the sightless tenor as a crossover champion, a victory that will only be reinforced by this handsomely produced video companion to Sacred Arias, his well-timed 1999 album of devotional pieces. That collection mingled sacred classics with a handful of venerable Christmas songs to combine seasonal appeal with a broader spiritual fervor, providing a sturdy platform for Bocelli's unfailingly earnest style. For its video incarnation, Bocelli, performing with the Orchestra e coro dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia under the baton of Myung-Whun Chung, reprises the album with three additional works, with Chung and the orchestra and chorus contributing a fourth bonus track, Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus."

As first aired on PBS, Sacred Arias dovetails comfortably with Bocelli's hugely popular, preceding broadcast and video, A Night in Tuscany, again adding color to its often solemn musical performances with glimpses of Italy. The performances were shot in Rome's Cathedral of Sopra Miverva, employing wide-angle lenses and graceful camera movement to supply energy to the otherwise static performers: Bocelli's own lack of body movement is offset by Chung's more expressive conducting, but the program's most striking visuals are achieved through long shots that pan down onto the group from high in the cathedral's nave, and cutaways that show us the rich frescoes that adorn the walls and vaulted ceilings. The pacing also makes good use of contrasts between Bocelli's solo performances and those pieces that rely more on the sweep of the chorus and orchestra.

Amazon.com

Critics may remain divided over Andrea Bocelli's operatic credentials, but the popular verdict long ago crowned the sightless tenor as a crossover champion, a victory that will only be reinforced by this handsomely produced video companion to Sacred Arias, his well-timed 1999 album of devotional pieces. That collection mingled sacred classics with a handful of venerable Christmas songs to combine seasonal appeal with a broader spiritual fervor, providing a sturdy platform for Bocelli's unfailingly earnest style. For its video incarnation, Bocelli, performing with the Orchestra e coro dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia under the baton of Myung-Whun Chung, reprises the album with three additional works, with Chung and the orchestra and chorus contributing a fourth bonus track, Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus."

As first aired on PBS, Sacred Arias dovetails comfortably with Bocelli's hugely popular, preceding broadcast and video, A Night in Tuscany, again adding color to its often solemn musical performances with glimpses of Italy. The performances were shot in Rome's Cathedral of Sopra Miverva, employing wide-angle lenses and graceful camera movement to supply energy to the otherwise static performers: Bocelli's own lack of body movement is offset by Chung's more expressive conducting, but the program's most striking visuals are achieved through long shots that pan down onto the group from high in the cathedral's nave, and cutaways that show us the rich frescoes that adorn the walls and vaulted ceilings. The pacing also makes good use of contrasts between Bocelli's solo performances and those pieces that rely more on the sweep of the chorus and orchestra.

Customer Reviews:

Andrea Bocelli - Sacred Arias: The Home Video.......2007-02-13

i bought this dvd for my dad knowing how much my dad would love it.
& he did, he says he watches it everyday on his big screen.
he says andrea bocelli is amazing & viberant.
my dad gives 100% all the way !

Stunning audibly and visibly.......2006-10-06

Absoltely stunning. Each performance is a masterpiece. Moreover, the DVD is engineered to movie standards, which is far from the case with many music DVDs.

Special Edition with both DVD & CD is available.......2003-11-27

Instead of this DVD alone, I suggest the Bocelli, Andrea : Sacred Arias CD & DVD Special Edition (ASIN: B0000CE9VO). It includes the full 77 minute concert on DVD, plus the two bonus tracks on the DVD, plus the full 72 minute CD. This includes two bonus tracks on the CD not available on the original CD. Amazingly, the Special Edition is a few dollars less than the DVD alone. What a bargain! This is an amazing concert with a tremendous picture quality on a big screen TV. It is one of those DVD's that captures the feeling of "being there". A must-see for any Andrea Bocelli fan.

Bocelli and Myung-Wung Chung: A stellar combination.......2003-07-03

A beautiful DVD!

This disc has the best of everything: my favorite tenor (Andrea Bocelli), my favorite conductor (Myung-Wung Chung) performing at the magnificent Basilica of Santa Marie sopra Minerva in Rome. Accompanying the principals are the Orchestra and Chorus of the National Academy of Di Santa Cecilia

Although you take for granted that the quality of the singing and the music will be first class, it is however, the excellence of the camera work and the editing that really makes this recording a cut above the rest. The video not only includes close-ups of all participants and many panoramic views both inside and outside the church, but it also seems to be able to capture the essence of the spirituality that the music and the surroundings are trying to convey. There are, for instance, several touchingly beautiful shots of Bocelli and Chung together, both so enraptured by the music that they seem to be oblivious to their surroundings.

Simply put, although the music of this DVD is predominantly sacred, I think that any music lover will find something in this disc that will move them and bring a sense of peace and joy to their hearts. Recommended!

Perfect setting,Perfect voice.......2000-12-19

Italy is a magic place for those who love classical music.Italian tenors have areputation of being the absolute best,as a general rule.This is so true in this stunning video.The Basilica is a beautiful setting for any artist,and for ABocelli it is perfect.The selections make this appropiate for most any time of year,and the interpretations by AB are exceptional.As usualthere is an etheral quality to the voice that stops you "dead in your tracks"I have given several Sacred Arias as gifts and I think I have the answer to the question of what to give to the person who has everything.To a person they have all become Bocelli fans.Just buy it,then sit quietly and absorb the music,voice and place.This has got to be a best seller.I have the CD also,and it's wonderful to listen to when you don't have time to sit,but your soul needs a lift.God has really blessed this man with the ability to communicate thru'the magic of his voice.

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