Musicals & Music Films > Opera & Operetta Musicals & Music Films

A Rosette for this ravishing Rosenkavalier

Advantages: Great cast, conductor and orchestra, top notch production
Disadvantages: None, to be honest

Introduction I have always been a huge fan of opera - ever since the day a group of us were given a day's parole from grammar school and bussed to the old Glyndebourne Opera house to see Beethoven's "Fidelio". So I guess it is only logical that I often spend time trying to persuade friends and acquaintances to share my own operatic favourites: either dragging them along to performances or lending CDs and DVDs. Unfortunately many people seem to be ...
...Well, yes, I do have to put my hand on my heart and admit that many operatic plots are a little far-fetched, but no more so than any movie such as "I am Legend" where Will Smith and a mangy German Shepherd in dire need of some Frontline treatment and a tin of Pedigree Chum manage to save Manhattan from a zombie invasion... Hmm. I guess all things are relative!? Anyway, once you get around the issue of people singing most of the time, I have to say ...

Maestrolover 17.06.2008 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Der Rosenkavalier (DVD)

The dastardly deed deveated

Advantages: Comic opera, beautiful melodies, superb ensembles
Disadvantages: Cannot compare to a live performance

...DVD recording of Mozart’ opera, Le Nozze di Figaro (The marriage of Figaro, was recorded live in Zurich Opera House and subsequently released on 29th April 2002. The Opera is sung in Italian; subtitled in the DVD. The subtitles can be distracting and at times the repetitions making them slightly unnecessary. A copy of the DVD is available from Amazon for £26.95. There are no extras included on the DVD apart from a choice of languages for the subtitles. ...
...between Figaro (Carlos Chausson – under baritone), a valet and Susanna (Isabel Rey - soprano), a maid. Both work for the Count Almaviva (Rodney Gilfry - baritone) at his country estate in Seville. The count has given up his traditional right to sleep with any bride on her wedding night. Susanna, however, is his favourite servant and he considers revoking his decision. Susanna suspects his plans and conspires with her fiancé, the Countess (Eva Mei ...

MAFARRIMOND 11.07.2004 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Le Nozze Di Figaro - Glyndebourne (DVD)

Il Trovatore

Advantages: Pavarotti is a wonderful singer
Disadvantages: but he is not a great actor.

...as The Anvil Chorus etc. Il Trovatore (The Troubador) is a very good, if slightly complex story, about a baby stolen at birth and unknowingly finding himself the arch enemy of this own brother over a girl. The woman calling herself his mother, in fact a gypsy who stole him suceeds in making life for The Troubador more difficult, as he is torn between his love for her and for the woman he longs for. I have seen this with slightly different endings, ...
...to this is the great Pav himself. Now I AM a fan. His voice is truly something magical and I never tire of listening to him. However he is not this best actor in the world, and this opera was filmed when that wasn't as important as it is today, and I did find him somewhat wooden. As well as a little large for the role. But if you are used to opera, you find thats not uncommon! The best perfomance I would say, came from the Gypsy, his mother. She ...

Cydd 22.04.2005 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Il Trovatore (DVD)

Status Quo - XS all areas

Advantages: not bad album
Disadvantages: only 2 new songs

The Status Quo - Xs all areas, greatest hits albums was released in September 2005 I think, this albums all the original hit spanning throughout the years where Status Quo, with songs like, Pictures of mastickmen, Ice in the sun, Rocking all over the worls, Again again, whatever you want. This album is a double album and this album was releasedwith 2 new singles (you're come round) and (thinking of you), my point of view to this album that theres ...

rossidanny 07.11.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Status Quo - XS All Areas - Greatest Hits (DVD)

Should have left it on the shelf!

Advantages: erm.......... good songs
Disadvantages: Weak plot and script, wooden acting

...any of them get the fame they so desperately want? Well the plot may sound a little basic but this is really all there is to the film. I did find there was a little about the student outside of school but it was mainly centred around the School and their school work. For me I was expecting a lot but was sadly disappointed. I know the film was made back in 1980 but for me it just looked very cheap and as if they had no interest in making a good script ...
...and Maureen Teefy Making of Fame Featurettes Fame Field Trip visit’s the school that inspired the movie Trailer I have watched any of these so I am not able to make comment on the, The running time of the film is 128 minutes and I personally found this was very long and at times I was very bored. The certificate is a 15 and I do agree with this as there is a lot of strong language and moderate nudity. I paid just £3 for this DVD over 2 years ...

sewbizzie 06.11.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Fame (DVD)