HAVING BEEN AT THE PERFORMANCE ITSELF...
jswell | Chicago, IL | 02/03/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have the 2 video tape version of this stunning opera, and actually was in the audience the night it was taped. I flew in from Chicago just to see it. If for no other reason than to hear and see Troyanos in her immolation scene alone is reason to purchase. The house went WILD. She was so emotionally drained that she had to hold the curtain for her encore(s). This is one of the highlights of the entire Domingo career; as I said, I have the 2 videotape version, but rarely play it, for fear it may break or self-destruct. That it has FINALLY made it to DVD is cause for major rejoicing. The French isn't bad, especially Norman and Troyanos-- and this was before seat-translations or supertitles existed! I just hope the sound on the DVD has been transferred and cleaned up, not that it needed anything on the videotape, by the way. This is, in many ways, as challenging an opera as War and Peace, and about the same length. Thank God this performance was preserved, and that I have this to remember how great a singing actress Troyanos was. She is sorely missed by this writer."