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Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: DVD DVD Layers: 1 DVD Sides: 2 EAN: 0743216091720 Format: Anamorphic, Classical, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC Label: RCA Languages: Manufacturer: RCA MPN: 60917 Number Of Discs: 1 Number Of Items: 1 Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen Publisher: RCA Region Code: 1 Release Date: April 13, 1999 Studio: RCA Theatrical Release Date: 1998 Editorial Review: Amazon.com: The first DVD edition of Puccini's last opera (left not quite complete at his death) immediately becomes the best available in any video format. It is likely to keep this status for quite a while, though the music comes across more powerfully in several audio-only editions. The visual challenges of Turandot are formidable, and they are met spectacularly in this production, filmed on location in the Forbidden City, where the story takes place. Turandot is a princess to die for. Dozens of foreign princes have literally lost their heads after seeking her hand in marriage and failing to solve three riddles. Ideally, a Turandot should have the voice of Birgit Nilsson, she should have the looks and acting skills of Teresa Stratas in her prime, and it's nice if she at least appears Chinese. Soprano Giovanna Casolla scores a B-plus on these requirements, and that's about the best we can expect. Among other principals, tenor Sergej Larin sings well, looks right, and doesn't really try to act (probably a wise decision). Soprano Barbara Frittoli is superb and the supporting cast is generally good. But what makes this production unique is the setting; you are there in ancient Peking, with its real buildings, flags, armor and uniforms, costumes, and statues of dragons and other legendary monsters. This is one of the first operas intended for original release on DVD; others were initially issued in more limited formats and have kept their original limitations in the new format. The wider range of options on DVD is significant. Those who will settle for audio-only recordings, which cost about the same and offer much less, should try either of Birgit Nilsson's CD editions (with Björling or Corelli) or Joan Sutherland's. Both of these great divas are, alas, visually inappropriate, offering another argument for this striking visual re-creation. --Joe McLellan. Average Rating:
 Rating:  - Worthy TurandotI wish reviewers would review the product at hand without comparing to other recorded versions. No singer or opera performance is similar and should be reviewed based on it's sole merits alone. Larin is not Corelli, Casolla is not Nilsson and Frittoli is not Moffo. Just think how boring opera would be if every singer and opera performance was exactly the same. As a Chinese-American, I thoroughly enjoyed this lavish performance. From the Chinese perspective, it is a great honor that a magnificent ... Read More Rating: - Out-freaking-standing! This was AWESOME! Granted after seeing the freak show the Met put on with James Levine Conducting I was "easy to please." However, I think I overcame my bias, objectively rated the piece and logically concluded that it was SUPER AMAZING!! lol Get this and have fun! Rating:  - ALDO BOTTIONI am not an opera "buff" but I bought this DVD soley for the purpose of seeing someone I know in the opera..his name is Aldo Bottion and he played Altoum but, not knowing opera, I don't know which character this is..I hope it's not the old man with all that makeup, cause I couldn't even pick out my own mother with all that makeup...Could anyone tell me which one was Aldo Bottion? Rating: - B-list cast in stunt productionNine years down the road, this production strikes me as neither particularly good nor particularly bad. In performance quality, it is typical of the sort of thing one sees from second-string companies, such as--alas!--my own local company, the Vancouver opera. The cast--satisfactory enough for that level--is resolutely, steadfastly B-list, with Frittoli perhaps aspiring to B+ status. Considering that this is as much a circus as it is an opera, concerns about the quality ... Read More Rating: - No Chinese Singers??I was disappointed to find that all of the singers in this production were European. Surely there are some Chinese opera singers who could have taken part and made it seem more realistic. I agree with those who have said they preferred the Placido Domingo/Eva Marton production. Marton was a much better Turandot than Casolla, who I thought was too old for the role. Frittoli's Liu was beautifully done, but I agree her costume was too elaborate for a slave. Leona Mitchell was a much more believable ... Read More |
