Donizetti - L'Elisir d'Amore
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Movie Reviews of Donizetti - L'Elisir d'Amore
Movie Review: A feast for the eyes and ears
Summary: 5 Stars
The words "Journeyman Opera Composer" have affixed themselves to Donizetti's name in much the same fashion as "The Great Reformer" have to Gluck: the price one pays for diligence and fecundity of imagination, I suppose. Although not all of Donizetti's 60 or so Operas are listenable today, some 10 of them are masterpieces of the Bel Canto repetoire and three of them are amongst the finest (and last) works of true opera buffa. L'Elisir D'Amore is his earliest opera buffa and considered his best by many (I prefer Don Pasquale but it's close). Composed quickly (under a month) to a libretto by Felice Romani, it premiered at the Teatro della Canobbiana, Milan in 1832. A Met stalwart, there have been more than 220 performances since 1904.
The story is simple: two men in a small Italian village are in love with Adina (soprano) the wealthy town flirt: Nemerino (tenor), a shy and gentle farmer and Belcore (baritone), a conceited and strutting army sergeant. Dr. Dulcamore (buffo bass) arrives in the village selling a magical elixir (actually a cheap Bordeaux). Nemerino buys it thinking it a love potion a la Tristan und Isolde, gets drunk and repulses Adina who decides to marry Belcore. She delays the wedding and Belcore decides to rid himself of Nemerino by having him enlist for the cash bonus of twenty crowns. Nemerino buys a second bottle of elixir and gets drunk again. Word spreads his rich uncle has died, leaving him his estate. The village girls suddenly take an interest in a man in uniform with money. Nemerino, unaware of the source of their interest, credits the elixir. Adina, now jealous of all the attention he is getting, realizes she loves only him. Belcore heads for greener pastures and Dulcamara sells all of his remaining elixir. Everyone is happy!
Nemerino has been sung by the greatest tenors: Gigli, Schipa, Gedda, Carreras, Alva and Di Stefano have all made their mark. But no comic role has ever suited a tenor more than this one suits Pavarotti. Not surprisingly, it is his favorite role. Nemerino has been described as "a cocker spaniel". Pavarotti's (limited) acting palette includes that of a large, playful puppy. He offers us a beautiful "Una furtiva lagrima" in this performance taped at the Met in November 1991. The voice, slightly pinched at the top, is clarion clear. His diction is exquisite, as always. But it is Kathleen Battle as Adina that is revelatory. Her performance is stunning! Her voice has great force and beauty. In fact, it is more powerful than Pavarotti's in many scenes! A full, rich, lyrical instrument under superb control at all times. Her acting is superb as well. She throws herself into the role. I did not detect much chemistry between the two leads, however. Frankly, I did not expect much. Yet it still works. Enzo Dara as Dulcamara hams it up wonderfully. He is terrific! Funny, believable with a marvelous buffo bass. Juan Pons sings a suitably officious Belcore and Korliss Uecker is a pretty Giannetta.
James Levine conducts the Met Orchestra, then at the height of its powers as one of the world's greatest ensembles, with sublime rightness. The younger and healthier Levine extracts every bit of beauty and comedy from this lovable score. Listen to the Woodwinds (my favorite section of the Orchestra) and relish their Mozartean clarity and grace! John Copley's production is beauty simplified. Beni Montresor's designs and stage pictures are vibrant with stunning primary colors and lovely Children's book style illustrations.
Donizetti is not a journeyman! Rather, he composed to live. So he composed quickly and well in order to please both audience and singers. If you are amongst either of these groups purchase this DVD! For production, sight and sound, this version of Elixir is excellent! We may be entering a new golden age for Opera afficionados when Operas such as this are available for such a relatively small sum.
Movie Review: A stunning L'elisir d'Amore with Battle & Pavarotti
Summary: 5 Stars
A wonderful DVD recorded in 1991
This is a live presentation at the Met of Donizetti's L'elisir d'Amore with James Levine conducting. It stars Kathleen Battle (Adina), Luciano Pavarotti (Nemorino), Jaun Pons (Belcore) and Enzo Dara (Dottore Dulcamara).
This recording has so much going for it... Let me elaborate.
The sets and props were outstanding with magnificent drop down scenery and even a revolving waterwheel. All the costumes (especially the ladies)were gorgeous, simply sumptuous. The camera work was generally well done with only a little concern in some of the duets. (in "Quanto Amore" for example, the camera tended on several occasions, to focus on only one of the singers when in fact both persons were singing)
What really separates this L'elisir for some of the others is the quality of the singing and acting; Battle, plays the perfect Adina,(coquettish and funny)then add to this the pureness to her voice, and her ability to reach some of those high notes with such apparent ease. Pons does the best Belcore I've seen or heard, and Dara does a wonderful interpretation of the charlatan buffa, Dottore Dulcamara.
However, to me, it is Pavarotti who shines throughout this night as the lovesick and downtrodden Nemorino. This is without a doubt, Pavarotti's finest acting achievement; he seemed so at ease with his character during the entire performance. And, of course, there is his voice, which was in magnificent form for this performance.
Highlight of the disc:
If there was one memorable, focal point in this night of outstanding performances it was Pavarotti's aria "Una Furtiva Lagrima"; sung with such tenderness and feeling that the enraptured audience ACTUALLY WAITED until the music finished before the thunderous applause and cheering started, so great was their respect for the mans rendering of this famous piece.
The entire performance that night seemed to be incredibly relaxed, with the cast seemly having a lot of fun on stage. Some of the camera work actually caught some of them laughing and joking with each other after their songs. The audience giving prolonged thunderous applause and ovations after nearly every song (and deservedly so,in my opinion). What at thrill it must have been to be there that night.
All in all a fabulous DVD. A must have, if your a fan of Donizetti, Battle, Pavarotti or any of the other performers of this wonderful opera with its catchy, infectious melodies.
Movie Review: L'elisir for the Ages!
Summary: 5 Stars
What a quartet! I think the Met or any other opera house will be hard put to equal this performance never mind surpass it. Pavarotti owns this role even now that he is retired. His easy, beautiful timber are recorded for the ages and we are indebted to Met-DGG for making it available. I was at this performance in a balcony box and never dared hope for its release since a previous performance with Judith Blegan has been available for some time. Battle is here in rapturous, glorious voice. An extremely beautiful timber, even from top to bottom, and every note in between. I cried as I watched the performance since it brought back the memories of seeing and hearing this so long ago. Pons and Dara are equally in their company. Pnns is excellent and to my way of thinking very underrated. Dara must still be singing Dulcamara somewhere if he is still alive. He sings this role to the very life. There is just no weakness in this production. Panni was supposed to have been the conductor for this matinee performance but he was ill and history fated us with the final link, Levine, to make this an historical performance. We have been blessed with a plethora of great DVDs from the Met [ Ernani, Manon Lescaut, Lucia to name but a few ] but the L'elisir here is probably their very best. The sets are wonderfully traditional and they work very well indeed. I left the theater numb, with a very sore throat and walked to the train talking to myself. My poor wife thought I had lost my mind. Its still under seat three in the third balcony box. This is an absolute must for your DVD shelf. The only time I've heard a more beautiful soprano in a live performance was Caballe at Chicago Lyric back around 1969 In Traviata. I certainly have heard many other superb sopranos, but I put Battle and Caballe in a special ranking. IF you don't enjoy this video you're either tone deaf, hate Donizetti or just don't like beautiful music sung as exquisitely as this Adina and Nemorino. Where are all your music lovers? There should be many more reviews here. Out of five stars this should have at least 10. Even if you disagree with me, this dvd deserves recognition and attention. Listen and buy!Movie Review: 1st choice for a Pavarotti DVD
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this DVD shortly after Luciano Pavarotti's death; I wanted something to remember him by. I made a good choice. Joe McLellan (in the Amazon review) is right: this is the role that fit him best. And he was tough to fit: physically large, with limited acting ability (even by operatic standards) and a larger-than-life offstage persona that bled into his onstage characterizations. But he acts well enough here--indeed, he's often fun to watch. Credit John Copley for giving Pavarotti enough to do but staying within his range.
And the voice is . . . the voice, still in fine form at 56.
Pavarotti is not the only star here. Kathleen Battle's performance is a treasure in every respect. Her Adina is, first and foremost, gorgeously sung. But there is also a quality of conviction and believability that she brings to the part, making those she sings with stronger as well.
The rest of the cast does a fine job, and Levine and the Met orchestra turn in a superlative performance, pacing the action nicely. Indeed, despite the fact that an adoring audience often breaks into vigorous applause, this production flows more smoothly than most of the ones I've seen from the Met. The a vista scene changes help. But a lot of credit for this goes to Donizetti and Romani for giving us a wonderful show that never bogs down musically or dramatically, one of the finest operatic comedies.
The recorded sound is acceptable, although the balance between soloist and orchestra overly favors the latter at times (many live recordings have this problem).
From what I gather from Amazon reviews, there are other good DVD options available for this opera. At some future date I hope to see what Alagna and Villazon do with the role of Nemorino. But their voices won't be as resonant or plangent as the voice you'll hear on this DVD. It's not their fault, and they're not alone. In this respect, Pavarotti was unique.
Movie Review: Kathleen Battle and Luciano Pavarotti at Their Best
Summary: 5 Stars
This production of L'Elisir d'Amore is the best performance of this opera available on video and one of the very best performances of the entire Metropolitan Opera Video Catalogue. As Adina, Kathleen Battle is sensational. Her voice is sublime, glowing with a ravishingly creamy, sensuous legato. Not only does she sing with technical perfection and ease, her compelling artistry is the epitome of grace and charm. Luciano Pavarotti gives his finest performance on video in his signature role of Nemorino. This role was his own personal favorite of all his roles and it shows in the warmth and charm he brings to his portrayal and his gorgeous vocalism. Battle and Pavarotti enjoy "clowning" with each other and the audience loves it. James Levine is at his best, giving an energy and excitement that makes this Bel Canto masterpiece explode with color and sparkle.