Customer Reviews

Les Troyens: Metropolitan Opera (Levine) [DVD] [2007]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Les Troyens - Berlioz/The Met/James Levine [1983]

This enormously long opera (two operas really) never lets up for one second in this lavish production with period costumes but modest stage sets.

The first half is dominated by Jessye Norman as Cassandra, her overwhelming voice prophesying doom that nobody believes.

The second half set in Carthage is equally dominated by Tatiana Troyanos in a wonderful performance of Dido, partnered by Placido Domingo in fine form (in fact he did not want to sing the role of Aeneas which was too high for his voice), nevertheless the long love duet is mesmerising.

Levine and the Met orchestra are on top form with a superb performance of the Royal Hunt and Storm rewarded with tumultuous applause.

Dating from 1984 the sound and video quality is extremely good.

No opera lover should miss this.

I was pleased to have such famous voices, but the 1980s production struck me as unnecessarily elaborate, particularly in its costumes, and the singers very static in their movement, which for me drained the story of life.
Most of the singers were very large,(not Domingo), and as I'm accustomed to the current Met. productions in movies, for me the appearance of the singers was disappointing. I'd have been better with a cd.
I saw the current Met. film a few days later. The characters were vibrant, there was plenty of movement, and I was completely engaged......I didn't miss the elaborate sets and costumes one bit.
I look forward to that DVD.

This is a production that I can find nothing really wrong with, yet it does not quite gell with me. The opening chorus and the large set does justice to Berlioz flambouyant music, and Jessye Norman gives an impassioned performance as Cassandra, filling the stage like a galleon in full sail. Throughout a large cast of soloists are all up to their jobs. The horse looks a bit weird though.
In act 2 it struck me that their must be as many people in the chorus as there are in the audience. At least one highlight is the orchestral Royal Hunt and Storm.
I would also mention the opening of act 3, Philip Creech is worthy of note for the quality of his voice.
The picture quality is not crystal clear, which is a minor annoyance.
I cannot quite put my finger on what is lacking, I find myself waiting for the next bit, does the story drag? perhaps the whole event is too static, I have now sat and occasionally nodded through it twice. The estatic audience seemed impressed anyway.
The synopsis and aria listings in the booklet are pretty good, but the bonus on disc 2 is a picture gallery, and catalogue, and two trailers. Not very exciting.
I have not seen any other version, so cannot compare, but would be loath to buy one in case this is how it is!