Puccini's first opera deserves to be seen and heard
Erwin K. Krause | TX USA | 05/12/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Le Villi has some beautiful music in it. It is beautifully orchestrated. So, it has a rather silly plot. So do nearly all of Mozart's and Wagner's operas, and many of Verdi's.
My personal opinion is that Le Villi supplied Mascagni with many orchestration ideas for Cavalleria Rusticana and even a melody or two."
Rare Puccini
Dr. J. J. Kregarman | Denver, Colorado United States | 05/11/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I had preordered this DVD and, having read the other reviews approached watching it with dread. Expecting nothing, I was pleasantly surprised. If you are looking at this, then you are interested in seeing what Puccini's first opera looks like, and this DVD will give you that experience. The vast majority of the works interest lies in the music written for the men, chorus, or orchestra alone. All are at least adequate. The story is silly (even for opera) but does not overstay its welcome as the DVD last just over an hour. This is a live performance. At times the audience applauded what was going on on stage. Their applause seemed appropriate."
Dreadful Soprano in rare work
J. Shaver | Hot Springs, VA USA | 06/22/2007
(2 out of 5 stars)
"I have always been fond of this opera and was excited at the thought of finally seeing a production. Unfortunately I also had to hear it. The soprano is worse than Susan Kane. Indeed one can only assume that like that unhappy singer in Citizen Kane she must have been the producer's wife or girlfriend. She is quite pretty but the voice shakes more than a reed in the wind and is seldom on key. I have never heard a so-called professional who was that bad.
The others are average, but next to her seem better than they are. If like me you want to be able to say you've seen this rarely performed work than rent it or buy the cheapest you can find. If you don't know the work then buy the CD with Domingo and Scotto and let this DVD go by."