Massenet: Thais- The Metropolitan Opera
by John Cox
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Alain Vernhes, Jesus Lopez-Cobos, Michael Schade, Renee Fleming, Thomas HampsonDirector: John Cox
Brand: Uni
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); German (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Original Language)
Format: AC-3, Classical, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.77:1
Running Time: 146 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2010-01-26
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Decca
Movie Reviews of Massenet: Thais- The Metropolitan Opera
Movie Review: The best Thaïs available on DVD!
Summary: 5 Stars
While I agree with some of the comments in other reviews regarding the production (ie. why is Nicias' guard brandishing a gun when it's supposed to be the 4th century?) and the picture quality (it's fine, but could have been better if split across 2 DVDs or had a blu-ray version been made available). That being said, you are not going to find a better sounding, better performed Thaïs either live or on video in this generation. Renee Fleming is simply ravishing as Thaïs and Thomas Hampson is arresting in his portrayal of Athanaël, even if the role is perhaps a bit heavy for him (if only Sherrill Milnes was still in his prime!). Jesus Lopez-Cobos conducts with astounding sensitivity in a pitch-perfect interpretation which does not suffer from any of the loginess you often come across with conductors unaware of how to deal with Massenet. The tempos are consistently right-on and Cobos winds the velvet strains of Massenet's finest score around his little finger, with the help of the best opera orchestra in the world, of course. If you love Massenet, as I do, you will treasure this performance and watch it over and over again -- and if you're not sure about Massenet, this DVD will make you a believer and you'll wonder why he still isn't recognized as one of the greatest composers of all time.
Summary of Massenet: Thais- The Metropolitan Opera
Renée Fleming triumphs as the glamorous courtesan Thaïs in Massenet's romantic tragedy set in fourth century Alexandria and the Egyptian desert. The timeless struggle between earthly desire and spiritual redemption finally destroys the resolve of the monk Athanaël (Thomas Hampson), just as the newly penitent Thaïs ascends heavenward. BONUS FEATURE: Interviews by Plácido DomingoSimilar DVD Movies
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