Opera on DVD: A Great Way to Discover the Medium
by Brian Hay
Opera has to be the most misunderstood genre in all of music. If it isn't that then it's close. The best way to lay the myths to rest and learn the truth about it (to say nothing of forming an informed opinion as to like or dislike) is to listen or watch it. Seeing it performed live is the best way but if any travel is required doing that can be expensive. Ticket prices are generally reasonable but Motels and car expenses make for a pricey trip, especially if the opinion formed ends up being a "dislike". Recordings offer the chance to "hear" but not to "see". And they tend to be expensive as well. A few productions are shown on the different Public Broadcasting and Arts Networks but they aren't aired all that often. As well, the viewer sees what's offered as opposed to having a choice.
The best solution (for many) may be to look at a few of the productions offered on DVD's.
Short of seeing a live performance this is probably the best way to experience opera. The medium makes so much more sense when the images work in tandem with the words. Video makes that possible. With their Chapters separated the DVD medium makes it easy to view things selectively. There are some excellent sets out now with more being released all the time. They aren't really cheap but they're far less expensive than seeking out a live performance. The quality of the sound is usually good and the productions are generally very good. There are exceptions (I ran into one) but as a rule they offer good value for the money. I've posted reviews of some of the productions on this list and will post more. As well, I'll post a review of a live production occasionally.
For starters here's a short list of recommended sets with their composers named and a few comments about the productions.
Jean-Baptiste Lully:
Persée
Brilliant production. I've posted a review of this.
Georg Frideric Handel
Alcina
Xerxes
Theodora (actually an Oratorio but staged as an opera here)
Orlando
Great productions. I've posted reviews of these also.
Giulio Cesare; William Christie and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Brilliant staging and some of Handel's best music. No weaknesses at all. Since getting this I've seen a live production of the work. It is as good as this staging suggests.
Henry Purcell
This isn't an opera in the true sense of he word but it ends up being categorized as such. The production reviewed on this site is an unusual one but it's well worth investing the time to really absorb it. The rewards are rich.
Jean-Phillipe Rameau
Les Paladins: William Christie with Les Arts Florissants
Modern update with multi-media sets that range from stunningly effective to limburger cheesy. But the performance is great with exceptional work coming from Sandrine Piau and Topi Lehtipuu. And Rameau's dance music is amazing; it was so far ahead of its time that we haven't caught up with it yet.
Les Boréades
Because of the dances involved this production may not be for everyone but the music is an absolute delight.
Francesco Cavalli
The music enchanting, the staging is imaginative and the lead singer, Maria Bayo, has one of the sweetest bel canto voices I've ever heard. This is a wonderful set.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
This man probably had more of a gift for making melody do what he wanted than anyone else who ever lived His is a musical world where everything has its own perfect logic. And everything seems effortless. But don't take the tales of woeful poverty to close to the heart. He had some bad years but it was mostly because he couldn't hold on to money. He did earn quite a lot of it. Had they lived in the same time period he and Keith Moon probably would have been friends. But what a musical genius (as was Moon incidentally—listen to those drums)!
Don Giovanni with Vienna Philharmonic conducted by Ricardo Muti
Great production. Semi-traditional with a brisk reading by Muti and stellar performances by all of the principle players. Angelika Kirschlager (who has a wonderful mezzo-soprano voice) is a really sexy Zerlina.
La Clemenza Di Tito: Glyndbourne; Andrew Parrot with the London Philharmonic
This isn't Wolfie's best opera but that's because he was rushed. But he still put some of the best music he ever wrote into it. One piece 'Ah, Perdona Al Primo Affeto' still leaves a lump in my throat (when it doesn't reduce me to tears) fifteen years after hearing it for the first time. The finales of the two acts and the choral sections are as good as anything anyone has ever written.
This is a short list. And it's not complete by any means. I didn't go into Wagner because his work, though great, is not that accessible. For anyone who's interested I've posted reviews of great productions of the the Ring and Die Meistersingers von Nürnberg. I'm not familiar with any good DVD releases of Verdi's works but am sure there are some (as there should be of Puccini's and others) as his work is wonderfully accessible. I saw a live production of Rigoletto about ten years ago and was floored. The same thing happened at a live production of Madame Butterfly (Puccini). These pieces are both well worth looking into. A lot of things are worth looking into but my knowledge is far from complete.
Anyone who's even remotely curious should do themselves a favour and look into the medium of opera. Having an array of good productions available on DVD is a good place to begin.
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Sandrine Piau and Laurent Naouri:
A Scene from Les Paladins by Jean-Philippe Rameau
An Excellent Production from Opus Arte
Laurent Naouri:
Information
Sandrine Piau:
Information
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