Poulenc - Dialogues of the Carmelites / Bonynge, Sutherland, Buchanan, Begg, Opera Australia
by Henry Prokop
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Geoffrey Chard, Heather Begg, Isobel Buchanan, John Germain, Paul FerrisDirector: Henry Prokop
Brand: Kultur
Writer: Emmet Lavery
Writer: Georges Bernanos
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Classical, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 158 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-06-11
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Kultur Video
Movie Reviews of Poulenc - Dialogues of the Carmelites / Bonynge, Sutherland, Buchanan, Begg, Opera Australia
Movie Review: FRENCH NUNS GO TO THE SCAFFOLD SINGING IN ENGLISH
Summary: 5 Stars
The novella this opera is based on was called THE LAST ON THE SCAFFOLD. I was very hesitant to buy this DVD because it's sung in English but the translation is so excellent and well suited to the musical line that I don't want to hear this opera any other way. I have a ticket to see the Chicago Lyric Opera's first ever production this month and they will be singing it in French. What a missed opportunity. The first performance of CARMELITES in 1957 was sung in Italian. The French version didn't premier until six months later. In any language, this is an operatic gem and I don't understand why it's not a standard repertory piece in all the major opera companies. It's based on a true story, has melodic music, drama, a mad scene and an emotional ending that packs a dramatic punch comparable to any other music written for the operatic stage. The singing in this production is first rate. Heather Begg as the Mother Superior is riveting, especially in her death scene. Isobel Buchanan as Blanche is perfectly cast. Besides having a voice that can deliver all the notes and words clearly, she's truly believable as the mixed up adolescent. I especially liked the director's touch of keeping us in suspense over her absence in the execution scene. My "favorite" nun is Anne Maree McDonald as Sister Constance. She is the sister who disciplined all of us in our religious classes when we were young. And finally JOAN SUTHERLAND as Madame Lidoine. It was so great seeing her in a roll that wasn't in her standard repertory and singing so splendidly late in her career (1984) when this production was taped. Her husband Richard Bonynge conducted and brought out all the beautiful colors of Poulenc's music from the Australian Opera Orchestra. Any opera lover will want to add this DVD to their collection and be sure to pester your local opera company to perform this fantastic work more often.
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Summary of Poulenc - Dialogues of the Carmelites / Bonynge, Sutherland, Buchanan, Begg, Opera Australia
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