Search - Donizetti - Anna Bolena / Bonynge, Sutherland, Morris, Canadian Opera Company on DVD

Lovely Moffo memento

08/06/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As far as opera movie goes this one is fairly good. Granted
the acting is a bit static and the cinematography and staging
rather academic however the sets (real castle, real outdoor)
and costumes are beautiful and everyone looks right for her/
his part. Anna Moffo is definetely the star - she is ravishing
to look at and a pleasure to listen to - a warm, full lyric
soprano voice with an easy top and considerable agility. Lajos
Kozma is a dashing-looking Edgardo but is plagued by a rather
tight nasal sound however he opens up as the opera goes along
and offers an eloquent final scene. Giulio Fioravanti and Paolo
Washington are sturdy performers and have no problems meeting
the vocal demands of Enrico and Raimondo. The supporting cast
is adequate but no more. All in all an enjoyable movie and
lovely memento of Anna Moffo in one of her great roles.

"

Anna Moffo is magnificent!

11/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Moffo is stunningly lovely both vocally and visually. A must-have for fans of gorgeous singing. Everyone else in the film is rather terrible, however, from the bleating goat of a maidservant to a ridiculously effeminate-sounding tenor "hero." None of that is of importance, though, considering the glory of Anna Moffo."

Ultimate Lucia On Film

Rudy Avila | Lennox, Ca United States | 05/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anna Moffo in Lucia. You can't get any better than that !! The 60's opera sensation Anna Moffo has a great following and her voice is perfect for the tragic heroine Lucia. Donizetti's opera about thwarted love, forbidden romance, madness and murder in bleak Scotland is his best and most acclaimed. Anna Moffo's beauty and voice, neither which had faded at the time of this film, 1971, is enchanting. On film, this is as great opera to watch. Starring as her lover Edgardo is Lajos Kozma, a little known European tenor. Anna Moffo was American-bred but she has Italian background. If I'm not mistaken she could speak Italian fluently and at one time also had her own show on Italian television. Many will flock to the DVD of Joan Sutherland's Met performance as Lucia, long regarded as the best. But eventhough I'm a Moffo fan, here's why I think Moffo is better as Lucia.Anna Moffo has the right look for Lucia. Her beauty provides her with a vulnerability and naivete that is appropriate for the romantic, lovesick and naive young heroine who is driven to madness. Joan Sutherland does not have any of these qualities and insteads she looks too old. This film is also very good visually. The haunting cinematography enhances the plot of the opera. The film was shot in authentic castles and moors. The fact that the movie looks dated and runs slow is not a problem. It adds to the allure of the old opera. Everything about this film is perfect. The look, the cast of singers and the orchestration. Get this if you're a fan of Anna Moffo and if you want to watch a great performance of Lucia."

SUTHERLAND IS STILL SUTHERLAND

L. Mitnick | Chicago, Illinois United States | 02/16/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In a perfect world, there would have been a video "Anna Bolena" with Maria Callas, but with that out of the question, I find this Sutherland version quite good. True --- her voice is not what it would have been ten years earlier ------ but it's still an impressive instrument quite capable of commanding the role. Secondly, she sounds considerably better here than she does on the London studio recording of 1987 (recorded three years after this performance). The supporting cast here is excellent, the orchestra plays well for Bonynge, and the picture is pretty good. I'm a great Callas admirer, but I truly find Sutherland's contribution to the art of bel canto to be as basic and fundamental as was Callas'. This is an excellent "Anna Bolena" , and if there are those who have a problem with Sutherland's downward transposition of the final scene by a whole step, they should simply give this performance a pass. Personally, I'm glad that Sutherland took this role into her repertoire, even at this late stage of her career. Is there any soprano out there today who could duplicate her accomplishment? If so, where are they??"