Cecilia & Bryn at Glyndebourne
by Brian Large
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Bryn Terfel, Cecilia Bartoli, Myung-Whun ChungDirector: Brian Large
Editor: Nigel Cattle
Producer: Hazel Wright
Producer: Nigel Shepherd
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); Italian (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.0; English (Published)
Format: Classical, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 89 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-07-30
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Opus Arte
Movie Reviews of Cecilia & Bryn at Glyndebourne
Movie Review: Magic and Chemistry and Fun, Fun, Fun!
Summary: 5 Stars
I wish I could give this DVD ten stars! Although I've enjoyed Bartoli and Terfel's work on CD, I'd never seen their stagework, and what a revelation this concert is. The flirtatious chemistry between both artists - and the fact that they are clearly having the time of their lives in performance - only serves to compliment the astonishing vocal command these singers have over their material. Bartoli is just a staggering little firecracker - she barely comes up to Terfel's shoulder and yet her voice is huge, supple, lithe and impressive. A mezzo-soprano, she here takes on music meant for a full soprano and she completely owns it.
Terfel on the other hand is a revelation. Who knew the big man could move with such grace? His expressive voice is matched with a natural acting ability that completely captivates and enhances everything he sings. My teenager came in during "Madamina" and, thanks to Bryn's wonderful acting, was thoroughly amused and quick to pick up on the "story." When a teenager hangs around 'til the end of an operatic performance, you know it is something special. The conductor, Myung-Whun Chung is not merely in the background, either - he seems to be having as much fun as Bartoli and Terfel. What a performance! Something you'll not see often in a lifetime.
This is a must-have, must-own with exquisite production values. Now I am sad because I realize I will probably never get to see these two magnificent artists performing live. If you won't either, then you need to own this.
Summary of Cecilia & Bryn at Glyndebourne
No second names are needed in the title to tell music lovers who is singing in this gala recital. The original, audio-only Cecilia & Bryn: Duets, issued in 1999, had opera-lovers around the world echoing one Amazon.com customer's remark: "After listening to this album, all I could say was 'I want more.'" Here it is: a live performance with the same conductor, an even better orchestra, and a video dimension that brings out the singers' considerable acting skills. There is some duplication of the CD's contents: "La ci darem," "Dunque io son," and the "Pa-pa-pa-papagena" duet from The Magic Flute, as well as the opening numbers of The Marriage of Figaro. But the video cameras, the singers' gestures, and their facial expressions make the duplication worthwhile.Cecilia Bartoli is most at home in mezzo-soprano material, where her tone is particularly rich and natural, her style exactly what the music requires. But she also slips easily into the soprano roles of Zerlina, Papagena, and Susanna. She takes a tantalizing step into promising, relatively unfamiliar territory with an aria from Haydn's L'anima del filosofo. Bryn Terfel shows a significant comic flair in the "catalog aria" from Don Giovanni and a heroic dimension in an aria from Judas Maccabeus--in either style, displaying a voice that is pure gold.
Still, vocal material is relatively scanty in this 90-minute production compared to the CD. Two overtures are included and are well played, but are not likely to appease fans who will continue to call for more singing. --Joe McLellan
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