La Scala Box Set - DVD

ENGLISH

La Scala Box Set (Cilea: Adriana Lecouvreur; Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor; Mozart: Cosí fan tutte; Don Giovanni; Pergolesi: Lo frate 'nnamorato; Puccini: La fanciulla del West; Rossini: Guglielmo Tell; La donna del lago; Verdi: Attila; I due Foscari; I vespri Siciliani) (OALS3000BD)<br /> <br /> Thomas Allen (Baritone); Placido Domingo (Tenor); Renato Bruson (Baritone); Daniela Dessì (Soprano); Cheryl Studer (Soprano); Sara Mingardo (Contralto); Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala; Riccardo Muti; Gianandrea Gavazzeni; Lorin Maazel; Stefano Ranzani<br /> <br /> Opus Arte presents outstanding RAI television archive recordings of performances from the Teatro alla Scala beautifully packaged as a high quality box set, each title complete with an informative booklet. The La Scala Collection brings together works from some<br /> of the best-loved composers – Donizetti, Mozart, Puccini, Rossini, Verdi and Pergolesi. Renowned conductors Riccardo Muti, Gianandrea Gavazzeni, Lorin Maazel and Stefano Ranzani lead the Orchestra and Chorus of Teatro alla Scala in these magnificent productions.<br /> These splendid performances feature some of the most famous opera singers in the world including Thomas Allen, Placido Domingo, Renato Bruson, Daniela Dessì, Alessandro Corbelli, Giorgio Zancanaro, Chris Merritt, Cheryl Studer and Sara Mingardo. A wealth of material to enrich any music library- a collection no opera lover should be without.<br /> <br /> "Mirella Freni in the title-role as the great singing actress might easily have been overparted, but her projection is strong and positive, with the tenderness of her two big arias well caught. Peter Dvorsky is first rate as Maurizio, strong, firm and unstrained, and Fiorenza Cossotto with her rich mezzo makes a splendid foil for Freni. Visually, with Brian Large as video director, the extravagance of the elaborate and ultra-realistic sets and costumes is wonderfully brought out." (The Penguin Guide - Adriana Lecouvreur)<br /> <br /> "Dramatically, a fine singing/acting cast keeps the action taut, ensuring a powerful build-up to the near-harrowing conclusion. Lorin Maazel, as usual, can be relied upon to coax the orchestra into making the most of the musical high spots." (MusicWeb International - La fanciulla del West)<br /> <br /> "The staging is fascinating. Vast panelled video screens provide the scenic backdrops. Videos of nature in all its glory are projected onto these. It makes for breathtaking effect, and the good news is that one does not tire of it.<br /> Muti conducts with real assurance. Pacing the drama magnificently, it is on performances like these that the controversial Maestro has made his well-deserved musical reputation. Tell emerges as a masterpiece from first to last. Rossini's compositional confidence in his craft is never once in doubt, and there is no trace of any longueur anywhere...This is a superb DVD. Tell is one of Rossini's masterpieces. The composer's inspiration never once flags. Do try to experience this treat." (Musicweb International - Guglielmo Tell)<br /> <br /> "Pier' Alli, the producer-designer explores a poetically Romanticised view of decaying, mist-ringed Scottish castles which in its consciously old-fashioned way chimes well with the gently singer-supportive conducting of Stefano Ranzani. The principals are all Italian and while on paper this may not be a dream cast, in practice the blend and stylistic know-how of the voices turn out extremely well." (BBC Music Magazine - Lucia di Lammermoor)<br /> <br /> "...the comic brilliance of the baritones Alessandro Corbelli and Bruno De Simone, the lustrous voices of the sopranos Nuccia Focile, Amelie Felle and Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz and mezzos Manca di Nissa, Luciana D'Intino and Nicoletta Curiel, and the fluent pacing of the whole make a joyful contribution." (BBC Music Magazine - Lo frate 'nnamorato)