Search - Roberto Alagna - Live in Paris / Anton Guadagno, Paris Opera on DVD

Superb concert, only so-so extras.

OperaOnline.us | Boston, MA | 05/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a superb 2005 digital release of a 2001 live concert recorded at Salle Gaveau, Paris featuring Roberto Alagna, accompanied by the Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux under the direction of Anton Guadagno. While the DVD contains some grainy "extra" features, the focus here is on music. As far as the concert itself goes, this is a crisp and clear video. As for Mr. Alagna's personality what we learn we glean only peripherally from the easy, affable manner in which he delivers each song, for there is no dialogue with the audience, no cut-away shots of him discussing his career with an interviewer, no scenic vistas of Paris as interludes -- just the concert. What a shame! If I pay to go to a concert, I want to see a concert; when I view a DVD, I hope to see a little more production effort and thought than was put in here. Having said that, the concert itself is entirely enjoyable, with plenty of visual live action and color. It has a rich look and elegant mood, and the smart camera work does give one a "you were there" feeling, even if some of the close-ups are maybe too close up. Mr Alagna's voice is in fine form throughout and the selection of songs is especially good - particularly everything from Massenet, but most especially Le Cid's "Ô Souverain, ô Juge, ô Père, and Donizetti's "Una furtive lagrima" from Elixir. But as good as these selections are, the orchestra's "Meditation" from Massenet's Thais is worth the price of this DVD itself. Magnificent! The fact that it's all digital makes it an even more compelling view and one that can be and is easily recommended for your DVD collection."