Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a winner for Wixell, 5 Aug 2003
I usually do not care for "movie" versions of opera, preferring a filmed live performance, but this one is most enjoyable, and has some standout performances.
Released in 1983, it was made on location in Mantua, with good cinematography in a pallete of browns and dark greys.
Pavarotti is the Duke of Mantua, looking strong and robust, but I must confess I thought his performance very one-dimensional, continually loud, and as an actor is much the weakest in the cast.
Edita Gruberova's Gilda is extremely interesting; she gets stronger in each scene, and I found her performance to be quite touching and wonderful. Her "Caro Nome" is one that I truly loved, full of sweetness and vulnerability, and delicate trills.Ingvar Wixell's Rigoletto is superb, brilliantly portraying the many sides of the hunchbacked jester, from maliciously plotting revenge, to tenderly loving his daughter and the memory of his wife. His voice is rich and full, and he makes the most of Verdi's gorgeous score.
Victoria Vergara is a stunning and seductive Maddalena, and Ferruccio Fulanetto's Sparafucile is a creepy villain with very scary jagged teeth, and both are in fine vocal form.
Riccardo Chailly conducts the Vienna Choir and Philharmonic with great pacing, and this is a Rigoletto well worth watching, even for those who like me, are not "movie" opera fans.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent in every respect!, 16 Sep 2001
By A Customer
I consider this DVD to be one of the best in my collection. This is a must have for anyone who likes opera shot on location. Making use of the visual splendour of the locations where the story actually takes place, shows the full potential of the medium DVD. That is why I also like the Bizet's Carmen version with Placido Domingo and Julia Migenes-Johnson, which has been shot in the beautiful scenery of Spain. This Rigoletto is also excellent in every other respect. The superb singing and acting (especially the acting of Ingvar Wixell as Rigoletto) do really make Verdi's drama come to live. The many famous melodies do the rest. Unless you really prefer the limitations of a theater performance, you will not be disappointed.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing for those who prefer theatre productions., 9 April 2001
By A Customer
This production is excellent for fans who do not mind the performances set on location, but disappointing for those like myself who prefer the drama of the theatre. Some of the outside scenes are, however, visually eye-catching, paricularly in the last scene of the final act. Gruberova is superb as always.
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