Search - Bizet: Carmen [Blu-ray] on Blu-ray

My Favorite CARMEN!

ravennamoon | Naples, Italy | 10/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anna Caterina Antonacci is my favorite "Carmen" yet! She is a fabulous

singer and a an excellent actress as well. She also has the looks for

a truly believable Carmen. Jonas Kaufman, as Don Jose, is excellent.

This is my first introduction to his work, and he has a wonderful rich

voice. I never thought anyone could equal Samuel Ramey as the matador

Escamillo, but Ildebrando D'Arcangelo does! He plays the part with relish,

and I love his strong beautiful voice. I like the matador moves he displays in the choreography for his introductory "Toreador" song. This

opera is great fun. I own two other very good "Carmen" dvd's. One is the

Agnes Baltsa, Carreras and Ramey version and the other is the relatively

recent Carmen that was filmed in Verona with Marina Domashenko and Marco

Berti. This new one, starring Antonacci and Kaufman, is my favorite of the

three. Everything is perfect! It is so much fun to watch and listen to!

Highly recommended!"

Fantastic Carmen

Marcela Benesova | Czech Republic | 10/13/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am pleased that I could have seen this superb production. Chemistry between Carmen and Don José works at 100 %. And especially I must compliment performance of Jonas Kaufmann as Don José. He to perfection included the whole psychology of Don José - from amorousness and apprehension to jealousy and madness. I recommend this great DVD.

"

Jonas Kaufman is superb

MimiMeow | Milpitas, CA United States | 12/25/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Jonas Kaufman is superb, both in terms of singing and acting. Anna Antonacci looks good and acts well as Carmen, but her singing lacks power. This especially makes the final scene not very satisfactory, despite the fine performance of Jonas. The tension and emotion are missing.



I am not an expert on the different versions of the opera, but noticed that the "market chorus" scene is missing in the final act. The first act duet between Micaela and Don Jose is also shortened.



I have the Agnes Baltsa/Jose Carreras Metropolitan Opera version, in my opinion much better overall than this one. There is so much more intensity and emotions in the final scene that I find myself sitting on the edge of the sofa sometimes.



"

Raises the bar!

Thomas E. Ascher | Bellingham, WA | 12/22/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Until I saw this version, my preferred Carmen was the Rossi film with Julia-Migenes and Placido Domingo. But this is even better. Antonacci is an even more sultry Carmen with a great voice and a superb actress. Kaufmann is handsome and a much better actor than Placido. D'Arcangelo is an extremely virile Escamillo. Plus, the sets and direction create an intimate, intense production. Add to that the wide-screen and superb sound of the blu-ray and you have everything that a video opera should be. Buy this! You won't regret it in any way!"