Search - Rimsky-Korsakov - Le Coq d'Or / Schagidullin, Levinsky, Breus, Bannik, Manistina, Banks, Nagano, Chatelet Opera on DVD

Not to be missed

Paul L. McKaskle | Berkeley, California | 04/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I want to endorse completely the lengthy reviews by Scott Morrison and Wes Clark. This is a fantastic (in two senses of the word) opera and is beautifully staged. Regrettably, it is performed only rarely--the only other recent major performance that I know of was at the Bregenz Festival several years ago--though a quarter of a century ago the New York City Opera used to perform it when Beverly Sills and Norman Treigle were members of the company. The Chatallet performance recorded here was originally a co-production with the San Francisco Opera, but SFO cancelled (or, I hope, postponed) it for financial reasons. In the absence of opportunities to see Coq d'Or in person this DVD offers a wonderful alternative for those not acquainted with the story to experience a wonderful opera visually as well as musically. I have long loved the music (on CDs), it is Rimsky Korsakov's best in my view, and it was pure delight to finally experience the whole opera via this DVD. I cannot give it a higher recommendation."

A Garden of Satiric Delight

M. F TERRIS | Miami, FL USA | 09/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Le Coq d'Or is not a favorite opera of mine, but I have to agree with Morrison and the chorus of other reviewers: This is not a production to be missed! Ichikowa's incredibly beautiful and fanciful Kabukki-style costumes, movements, and sets enhance the underlying Orientalism of the piece, its fairytale quality and most remarkably of all its biting satire of political incompetence and regal pomposity. The soloists, chorus, and orchestra all sink their teeth deeply into the work. This tragi-comedy of the mindless worship of stupid leadership perfectly described the world of Tsar Nicholas, and is not so far from our time."

Great music-making; offputting staging and custumes

Classic Music Lover | Maryland, USA | 07/08/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"If this was the CD release of this opera, I'd give it five stars. Kent Nagano, the soloists, the orchestra and chorus are super in this live performance. But I found the "kabuki" staging of this opera weird, frankly. Not only does it completely clash with Rimsky's sinewy, oriental-style music, the costumes make everyone look like overstuffed dolls and make graceful movement impossible -- hardly in keeping with the sensuousness of the score. (Besides, Japan or Mongolia has nothing AT ALL to do with this opera ... perhaps the producer needs to bone up on his/her history to recall that it isn't Russia that traces its lineage to the Far East, but rather the Hungarians, Finns and Estonians!)

This opera could really benefit from a staged production that is true to the composer's intended style and time."

Do not hesitate

Clark Anthony | Switzerland | 06/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The performances here are terrific and the music unflaggingly enchanting. In Act II the Tsar's courtship sequence is thoroughly modern and not a little risqué. The procession of wonderful creatures on stage matches well the brilliance of the orchestral sections of the score. You will want to turn the sound up, neigbours permitting. The closing tenor is unforgettable. Should be in every music-lover's collection."