Classical
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Andre Rieu - La Vie Est Belle
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Sale Price: $11.99
List Price: $12.98
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What a shame that the only existing DVD of Juan Diego Florez in one of his signature roles is in this wrong-headed "Don Pasquale." Wrong-headed because once again we have an opera director for whom restraint seems to be a four-letter word. Yes, this is opera buffa, but as anyone who has seen a successful performance of this piece knows, the moments of comedy are leavened with those of genuine heart and poignancy. None of which is in evidence here...unless Senor Florez is on stage -- alone. The opening of Act II is magnificently sung, passionate and sincere. Donizetti is known for giving his tenors these moments of emotional clarity in his comic operas, and Florez makes the most of it; honestly, I've never heard him sing better. And then Raimondi and his teddy bears (don't ask) come back onstage and the whole thing once again falls into mindless schtick. As another reviewer noted, Isabel Rey, while sounding fine, is way too old for the role, particularly in close-up. And who on Earth is that mute servant dogging her every move? It's baffling to me why some modern day opera directors, like this one, feel the necessity to add non-singing characters that the composer and librettist didn't. One can only imagine he has no confidence in the piece as actually written. Raimondi, a solid dramatic baritone, seems not to have a single, naturally funny bone in his body. Nor does he really connect to the piece's darker, deeper moments, when Pasquale must face the realities of ageing and Life having passed him by. Ultimately, the performance makes little impression.Visually this is a bright, at times garish and ugly production. One can only hope that someone will have the wherewithal to film Florez again, hopefully under the aegis of a director who understands the subtleties that are required for making this kind of operatic treat both hilarious AND moving.
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