Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
We'll Have to Wait for a Better One, 6 Aug 2004
This 1991 La Scala production of 'La Fanciulla del West' has one major drawback - one that is nearly fatal to it - and that is the singing of Mara Zampieri. Granted, the role of Minnie is a killer, but that's not the problem here; the problem is that Zampieri doesn't have an attractive voice and although she is musical and a reasonable actress (trying hard to fit her matronly presence into the role of a naïve tomboy role), the acidulous quality of her voice simply cannot be avoided. As far as I know, there is only one other competing DVD of 'Fanciulla,' and that is a 1983 production from Covent Garden with Carol Neblett and Placido Domingo. I have not seen it and cannot compare it with this one, but I've read (and heard) that it comes up short as well, primarily because the production is poor. Here, we have Jonathan Miller's expert stage direction and fairly good sets (although I must admit that the first act, in the 'Polka,' looks more like a cell block than a saloon). Loren Maazel conducts a flexible and dynamic performance, and the cast, other than Zampieri, is quite good, with Juan Pons as Jack Rance, and the inimitable Placido Domingo as Dick Johnson (aka the bandit Ramerrez). Also outstanding is Luigi Roni as the Wells Fargo agent, Ashby. Oh, for the days of Dorothy Kirsten as Minnie! I never saw her in the role, but can imagine how she must have owned it. And Birgit Nilsson, not one thinks of in this genre, must have been outstanding, too. I frankly don't know what soprano singing currently could do justice the role; but I do know it wasn't Zampieri. Too bad. Scott Morrison
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1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Dreary with no chemistry, 29 Dec 2006
I did not enjoy this production of Fanciulla for several reasons, but mainly because Mara Zampieri (Minnie) was terrible. I thought her singing was very poor, without line, musicality or enthusiasm. She actually managed to make Puccini's music sound dreary. She didn't understand Minnie's character and acted in such a dull self-pitying way it made the whole plot unbelievable.
I thought Minnie's costumes were ugly to distraction, and the direction was unconvincing.
There was also some trouble with video playback on the DVD - it seemed to be very jerky, as though every other frame was missing. Sound quality was unaffected.
Placido Domingo was excellent, but unfortunately the quality of his singing only made Zampieri's seem more unbearable.
I do not recommend this recording. The Metropolitan Opera production with Daniels, Domingo, & Milnes is infinitely better and all that Fanciulla should be - beautiful singing, great acting and a lot of fun.
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