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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a live performance (or rather editing of 3 performances from 2007) from Berlin of a production by Vincent Paterson originally seen in Los Angeles.
Updated to the 1950s, Manon is an aspiring wannabe, obsessed with glossy magazines featuring her film star idols, and the opera is told in a series of film-style vignettes, with Manon changing her image as much as her underwear! From Audrey Hepburn-like naivete at the beginning, through to Marilyn Monroe-stunner, she is a chameleon of her times, desperate for fame, and would certainly have been on Big Brother if it had been invented then! Generally this updating works very well, and unusually for a modern production, doesn't get in the way of the plot. The staging of the St Sulpice scene works extremely well with the distanced lovers meeting once again through the chancel railings - who in the relationship is the "caged bird" and who is free?
Bring on the stars - tickets don't get much hotter than this, with Netrebko and Villazon heading the cast. Neither of them are natural French singers, and to be honest, half the time you wouldn't be able to tell what language they are singing in. Netrebko's consonant-less soprano and Villazon's latino warmness does not = Massenet. And yet, despite all the odds against them, and despite my better judgement, the two singers gripped me throughout, making this a stunningly moving portrayal that actually merits the hype! Barenboim conducts (apparently at short notice with just days to learn the score), and although I've never seen a grumpier conductor at the curtain call, he manages to serve Massenet well and bring lightness and sweeping emotion to the score.
Manon is a stunning opera, full of wonderful melodies and heart-wrenching scenes, and I shall enjoy watching this recording again and again.
Updated to the 1950s, Manon is an aspiring wannabe, obsessed with glossy magazines featuring her film star idols, and the opera is told in a series of film-style vignettes, with Manon changing her image as much as her underwear! From Audrey Hepburn-like naivete at the beginning, through to Marilyn Monroe-stunner, she is a chameleon of her times, desperate for fame, and would certainly have been on Big Brother if it had been invented then! Generally this updating works very well, and unusually for a modern production, doesn't get in the way of the plot. The staging of the St Sulpice scene works extremely well with the distanced lovers meeting once again through the chancel railings - who in the relationship is the "caged bird" and who is free?
Bring on the stars - tickets don't get much hotter than this, with Netrebko and Villazon heading the cast. Neither of them are natural French singers, and to be honest, half the time you wouldn't be able to tell what language they are singing in. Netrebko's consonant-less soprano and Villazon's latino warmness does not = Massenet. And yet, despite all the odds against them, and despite my better judgement, the two singers gripped me throughout, making this a stunningly moving portrayal that actually merits the hype! Barenboim conducts (apparently at short notice with just days to learn the score), and although I've never seen a grumpier conductor at the curtain call, he manages to serve Massenet well and bring lightness and sweeping emotion to the score.
Manon is a stunning opera, full of wonderful melodies and heart-wrenching scenes, and I shall enjoy watching this recording again and again.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The new Manon with Netrebko & Villazon is a truly remarkable production.
From "sex at the opera" to "Marilyn" -happy birthday dear president- Netrebko.
But, most important, the singing is all you could wish for.
From "sex at the opera" to "Marilyn" -happy birthday dear president- Netrebko.
But, most important, the singing is all you could wish for.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Netrebko and Villazon are unforgettable - a superb operatic double-act if there ever was. Shame they had to get Barenboim to conduct at short notice - he never looked the part.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fine singing and acting in a modern production.
Like the Donizetti Love Potion, this also teams up Villazon and Netrebko to completely believable effect. Read more
Published 6 months ago by I. Giles
There is no need for scenery with these two on stage!!
Absolutely stunning performance from Villazon and Netrebko again. Not only do these two sing like a dream, they have electricity and acting skills which makes everything so... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Ms. Elaine Taylor
Delightful Manon
the performers especially the romantic couple, sing well.act convincingly, and are both young and good looking, so that you do not even notice that there is almost no stage... Read more
Published 18 months ago by JACQUE
A Great Performance
With the leading pair of today's opera greats and a conductor of international renown it was a perormance I eagerly awaited. And I was not disapointed. Read more
Published 19 months ago by D. Neill
Stunning cinematic Manon
There can be no better case made than this for restoring Massenet's greatest opera into the popular repertoire in the UK, where it is far too infrequently performed. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Dr. Trevor G. Stammers
RUBBISH INAPROPRIATE SETTING
THIS IS SOME STUPID PRDUCERS IDEA OF SETTING MANON IN THE 1950S INAPROPRIATE FOR A GREAT MASSENET OPERA AND A WORK BY PROVOST! MY COPY WILL BE REURNED UNOPENED. Read more
Published on 9 Sep 2009 by Arthur Wyatt
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