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The Pirates of Penzance
: :When New York theatrical producer Joseph Papp decided to bring Gilbert and Sullivan to Broadway, he added typically broad, bold strokes to make their singular operetta format meaningful to 1980s audiences. In The Pirates of Penzance, Papp had a story that offered a mixture of potential action and comedy that was less arcane than other G&S chestnuts, which Papp's production underlined by playing up its antic conflict between its hapless, titular pirates and the citizens of Penzance, the Cornish town targeted for plunder. Adding to ...
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Naughty Marietta
: :When New York theatrical producer Joseph Papp decided to bring Gilbert and Sullivan to Broadway, he added typically broad, bold strokes to make their singular operetta format meaningful to 1980s audiences. In The Pirates of Penzance, Papp had a story that offered a mixture of potential action and comedy that was less arcane than other G&S chestnuts, which Papp's production underlined by playing up its antic conflict between its hapless, titular pirates and the citizens of Penzance, the Cornish town targeted for plunder. Adding to ...
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Verdi - La Traviata / Levine, Stratas, Domingo
: :When New York theatrical producer Joseph Papp decided to bring Gilbert and Sullivan to Broadway, he added typically broad, bold strokes to make their singular operetta format meaningful to 1980s audiences. In The Pirates of Penzance, Papp had a story that offered a mixture of potential action and comedy that was less arcane than other G&S chestnuts, which Papp's production underlined by playing up its antic conflict between its hapless, titular pirates and the citizens of Penzance, the Cornish town targeted for plunder. Adding to ...
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Ponchielli - La Gioconda / Fischer, Sanjust, Wiener Staatsoper
: :The Vienna State Opera's 1986 production of La Gioconda, Amilcare Ponchielli's only lasting success, was an increasingly rare event. The story--based on a long forgotten Victor Hugo drama--is an emotional roller coaster of high passion and self-sacrifice, but has fallen out of favor with the major international opera companies; instead, Ponchielli's contemporary Verdi and one-time pupil Puccini are today's guaranteed crowd-pullers. This is a shame. Ponchielli's score might be sumptuous to the point of occasional over-ripeness but it contains some marvelous arias, not least Enzo's ...
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Verdi - La Traviata / Patane, Moffo, Bonisolli, Rome Opera House
: :Musically, this is a quite satisfactory Traviata. Visually and sonically, it has a few small problems (pre-digital sound, imperfect tape splices, moments of imprecise lip-synchronization), but it can be recommended for those who enjoy less-than-perfect historic recordings. Anna Moffo was an endearing Violetta, and her identification with the role is lovingly captured by director Mario Lanfranchi, who was her husband, with charming close-ups and detailed attention to her body language. Giuseppe Patane was one of the best Italian opera conductors of his generation, and he ...
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Lehar - The Merry Widow / Bonynge, Sutherland, Stevens, Opera Australia
: :This production of Lehar's The Merry Widow is a mixed bag, appropriate, perhaps, for a work of art that is both sublime and ridiculous. Its weakest element is the presence of Joan Sutherland, which will undoubtedly attract the most buyers. Still, viewers will replay it often (perhaps bypassing some of Sutherland's numbers) for the sake of its lavish production, particularly for the abundant, polished, and colorful dance numbers. The 1988 performance, by the Australian Opera in the elegant Sydney Opera House, dates from the end ...
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Alban Berg - Wozzeck - Claudio Abbado
: :Alban Berg's scalpel-like dissection of human baseness is compellingly captured in a 1987 Vienna State Opera production that emphasizes its often- overlooked lyricism. Based on George Buchner's play about a soldier's mad descent into murder, Berg fashioned a fast-moving exploration of both his protagonist's life and his own 12-tone music, utilized expressively throughout. As conducted by Claudio Abbado, the Vienna State Opera Orchestra and Chorus make Berg's usually difficult music utterly accessible. Franz Grundheber vividly conveys Wozzeck's descent into insanity, and Hildegard Behrens embodies his ...
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Puccini - La Boheme / Pavarotti, d'Amico, Genoa Opera Company
:Description:Luciano Pavarotti stars in this magnificent production of La Boheme performed by the Genoa Opera Company during their historic tour of China. This unique cultural mission to mainland China received worldwide acclaim. The New York Times reported 'If anybody can do away with culture clash, Luciano Pavarotti is the man.' This performance of Puccini's beloved opera was filmed live at Beijing's Tianquiao Theatre. It is a powerful performance of the tragic love story of Mimi and Rodolfo, poingnantly interpreted by Luciano Pavarotti and Fiamma Izzo ...
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Verdi - Otello / Maazel, Domingo, Ricciarelli
: :This is not strictly Verdi's Otello; it is a fast-moving, hard-hitting film adaptation of the opera that omits some of the music (most notably the 'Willow Song') to enhance the dramatic pace. With brilliant camera work, the 'you-are-there' impact of film vs. a videotaped stage production, and outstanding performances from all the principals, it is also the Otello that you may find yourself replaying most frequently. Director Franco Zeffirelli has been criticized for altering Verdi--in effect, for adapting the libretto (the best one Verdi ever ...
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Bartered Bride / Last Waltz
: :This is not strictly Verdi's Otello; it is a fast-moving, hard-hitting film adaptation of the opera that omits some of the music (most notably the 'Willow Song') to enhance the dramatic pace. With brilliant camera work, the 'you-are-there' impact of film vs. a videotaped stage production, and outstanding performances from all the principals, it is also the Otello that you may find yourself replaying most frequently. Director Franco Zeffirelli has been criticized for altering Verdi--in effect, for adapting the libretto (the best one Verdi ever ...
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