La Clemenza Di Tito - Mozart DVD

Advantages: Origami-like sets, costumes, bold basic colors; Mozart's music, all sung beautifully.
Disadvantages: Un-PC elements may cause unease in modern audiences.

...of red, yellow and blue feathers on his shirt, with tan knickerbockers and a spray of white feathers sprouting from his behind. White socks and low-cut boots complete the impression of a boyish green-hat-and-lederhosen-clad Bavarian. Mozart's Sublime, Inspiring Music Delivered Beautifully. Mozart employs a host of musical forms and styles here. With a variety of melodies, harmonies and rhythms appearing throughout the work, he brings a liveliness to the tale of heroism. Most of the music is written in the major keys, that is, in a bright and optimistic mood. To think that Mozart wrote this opera just a few months before his death on December 5, 1791! Even more amazing, after largely completing 'The Magic Flute', he managed to start work on his 'Requiem', and also wrote 'La Clemenza di Tito' during a trip to Prague. He finalized 'Magic Flute... Read review

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Advantages: Brilliant staging, brilliant music, whole cast esp Anja Harteros
Disadvantages: Bipolar Idamante.... the dude can use some sedatives

...Camerata Salzburg. The pace is on the brisk side but no nuance is lost. The Salzburger Bachchor also sing AND act well in all 9 choruses. Guenther Groissboeck provides a beautifully sonorous voice 'La Voce' toward the end... possibly the voice of Zeus over-ruling Nettuno's wishes. All in all, it is a truly first class production of the opera both theatrically and musically. The set contains 2 DVDs, with extras of 'Making of' documentary and clips from Peter Sellars' Mozart opera productions and from other M22 project opera on the 2nd DVD. Booklet contains tracks list and synopsis (but no libretto). If you are looking to buy only 1 DVD of Idomeneo, this is the top choice, bar none. It blows all existing competitions out of the water.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Period drama, the music, the acting, the direction
Disadvantages: Not a true rendition

...Amadeus – Director’s Cut Introduction The film Amadeus is based on Peter Schaffer’s stage play of the same name. The film was originally screened in 1984 and has been released on DVD. This updated version, Amadeus – Director’s Cut, was released in September 24th 2002 by Warner Home Videos certificate 18. This new version runs for 180 minutes in contrast to the original which ran for 160 minutes on DVD. The film is basically about the antagonism that existed between the two composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri. The updated film reinstates sections originally cut from the film that help to clarify a number of crucial plot developments. The film is available to buy from £7.97. Synopsis The story starts in 1823, when Salieri, old and distrurbed, is admitted to an insane asylum after trying to commit suicide. He... Read review

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