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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
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Director Brian Macdonald certainly knows how to stage this stunning production. There are so many surprises which leave the viewier wanting to see it again and again - undoubtedly an excellent DVD to own. The clever use of mime to change sceenes, coupled with some of the best choreography by Opera Australia's brightest stars, add up to a truly delightful experience. The prinicple roles are sung with verve, and not a trace of 'Australian' dialect. However one should turn on the 'subtitles' so that none of the modern lyrics are missed. It is the best production that I have ever seen.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
"Now a gavotte perform sedately.."
Sadly, these instructions from the Duke of Plaza-Toro to would be King of Barataria candidates Marco and Giuseppe are not heard in this Sydney Opera House production. In every other respect, however, it is full measure and overflowing. To Gilbert and Sullivan's original operetta format are added elements of mime, pantomime, and ballet. The chorus and principals are required not only to sing and act, but are choreographed to breathless limits and even made to be as acrobatic in the "Cachucha" as members of the ballet.
All the more regrettable, therefore, is the omission of `I am a courtier grave and serious' which already enacts the blend of music, dance, wit and pomposity. If performance considerations dictated it omission in the live performance, it should have been specially filmed and inserted into this filmed production. You will find that the Overture is here in full.
Having watched oodles of productions of this work during a long life, both in Australia and the UK, I have always found that vitality characterized Australian productions compared to the usually staid and workmanlike English way of doing G & S. Well, the vitality here will leave you breathless. Color and costumes are dazzling. The sound is natural but low in volume. Contemporary allusions have been added here and there; while regretting this I must admit that they scan and fit beautifully and fall not too far below Gilbert's original lyrics. The chief pantomime element is Australian Opera stalwart Graeme Ewer presenting the Duchess of Plaza-Toro as a pantomime dame. This works well. The Duchess's vocal contributions are normally very difficult for a contralto to deliver, but Ewer projects everything clearly.
From the opening shot of the Sydney Harbour and Opera House to the final gallery shots of the principal singers, you'll find top quality entertainment here.
Sadly, these instructions from the Duke of Plaza-Toro to would be King of Barataria candidates Marco and Giuseppe are not heard in this Sydney Opera House production. In every other respect, however, it is full measure and overflowing. To Gilbert and Sullivan's original operetta format are added elements of mime, pantomime, and ballet. The chorus and principals are required not only to sing and act, but are choreographed to breathless limits and even made to be as acrobatic in the "Cachucha" as members of the ballet.
All the more regrettable, therefore, is the omission of `I am a courtier grave and serious' which already enacts the blend of music, dance, wit and pomposity. If performance considerations dictated it omission in the live performance, it should have been specially filmed and inserted into this filmed production. You will find that the Overture is here in full.
Having watched oodles of productions of this work during a long life, both in Australia and the UK, I have always found that vitality characterized Australian productions compared to the usually staid and workmanlike English way of doing G & S. Well, the vitality here will leave you breathless. Color and costumes are dazzling. The sound is natural but low in volume. Contemporary allusions have been added here and there; while regretting this I must admit that they scan and fit beautifully and fall not too far below Gilbert's original lyrics. The chief pantomime element is Australian Opera stalwart Graeme Ewer presenting the Duchess of Plaza-Toro as a pantomime dame. This works well. The Duchess's vocal contributions are normally very difficult for a contralto to deliver, but Ewer projects everything clearly.
From the opening shot of the Sydney Harbour and Opera House to the final gallery shots of the principal singers, you'll find top quality entertainment here.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
The problem with using 'topical' references in G&S (or similar) productions is that they quickly become dated, so in this case what was regarded as very funny in 1988 is now passé and almost forgotten, even by Australians, and in one instance - the reference to the Princess of Wales - painfully unfortunate.
Modern lyrics aside, the music is as delightful as ever, of course, although the sacrifice of 'I am a Courtier, Grave and Serious' was regrettable (particularly since the Duke and Duchess' Duet which preceeded it was 'modernised'). The singing, too, is first-class, even when one is reminded just how old this production is by the young David Hobson's endearingly croaky bottom notes in 'Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes' - the future Mozart stylist (and widely acclaimed Rodolfo) was still very near the beginning of his remarkable stage career!
The routine pairing of Hobson and Roger Lemke, thoroughly enjoying themselves as Marco and Giuseppe Palmieri - the Gondoliers of the title - complimented by Christine Douglas (Gianetta) and Suzanne Johnston (Tessa) made for some excellent performances by the 'young chickens'. Right behind them, though, were the 'old birds', Australian Opera stalwarts Robert Gard and Graeme Ewer as the Duke and Duchess of Plaza-Toro, and the inimitable Dennis Olsen (Don Alhambra).
Susan Benson's costumes showed to particular advantage in the highlight of the production, the Act II "Cachucha" sequence - where Director/Choreographer Brian Macdonald was to be congratulated for managing to make most of the cast look like reasonable dancers!
Modern lyrics aside, the music is as delightful as ever, of course, although the sacrifice of 'I am a Courtier, Grave and Serious' was regrettable (particularly since the Duke and Duchess' Duet which preceeded it was 'modernised'). The singing, too, is first-class, even when one is reminded just how old this production is by the young David Hobson's endearingly croaky bottom notes in 'Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes' - the future Mozart stylist (and widely acclaimed Rodolfo) was still very near the beginning of his remarkable stage career!
The routine pairing of Hobson and Roger Lemke, thoroughly enjoying themselves as Marco and Giuseppe Palmieri - the Gondoliers of the title - complimented by Christine Douglas (Gianetta) and Suzanne Johnston (Tessa) made for some excellent performances by the 'young chickens'. Right behind them, though, were the 'old birds', Australian Opera stalwarts Robert Gard and Graeme Ewer as the Duke and Duchess of Plaza-Toro, and the inimitable Dennis Olsen (Don Alhambra).
Susan Benson's costumes showed to particular advantage in the highlight of the production, the Act II "Cachucha" sequence - where Director/Choreographer Brian Macdonald was to be congratulated for managing to make most of the cast look like reasonable dancers!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Short of my expectations
I recently bought the "HMS Pinafore and Trial by Jury" by the same production company, and found they made enjoyable viewing and with only minor deviations from the original words. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Peter Jackson
GondoliersSydney
I first saw David Hobson in Baz Lerman's "Boheme",wonderful,but he's a great G&S leading man.So good looking and glorious voice and I loved the "drag" Duchess.A great buy.
Published 8 months ago by M. Wilson
Well-judged performance
This is best performance of The Goldoliers that is currently available on DVD, which is not saying much as there are only three as far as I can tell; one of which is only available... Read more
Published 12 months ago by S. Devereux
Wonderful Production
From the beginning of this DVD I was captured. The costumes, the acting, the singing and the whole production were superb. Read more
Published 18 months ago by wacco
THE GONDOLIERS, BY GILBERT, SULLIVAN, AND OTHERS
When I saw this production on Sky Arts (a British satellite arts TV channel) the other day, I was prepared to have all my prejudices confirmed, having read fairly adverse reviews... Read more
Published 19 months ago by J. D. Cheeseright
The mad Canuck beast rises again
This is a revival of the Stratford, Ontario, production of "The Gondoliers." It is, therefore, putrid at second hand. Read more
Published 20 months ago by L. E. Cantrell
Glorious!
I love these productions, minimal scenary, superb singing and comedy and costumes, and for that reason I avidly collect them time and time again. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Mr. Colin J. Adams
Superb cast and orchestra providing full value
If you have never seen a production by Opera Australia then I can promise that you will not be disappointed. Read more
Published on 18 Dec 2009 by Stuart Walker
Energetic and entertaining
This is a fine production, as one expects from Opera Australia Those that are familiar with Canada's Stratford Festival version of The Gondoliers will instantly recognise this... Read more
Published on 25 Aug 2008 by Freddie
Not for G. & S. traditionalists.
Vocally and visually an outstanding production. It is spoilt, especially for non-Antipodeans, by an over-thorough attempt to make the satire in the libretto relevant to present-day... Read more
Published on 21 May 2006 by C. Blair
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