Search - Great Stars of Opera, Vol. 2 - Telecasts from the Bell Telephone Hour 1959-1967 on DVD

Wonderful

Xavier | 07/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a treasure that I've found that I can't do without. Price was the star here. But check out an even better find...
Volumn One... The Great Stars of Opera - Telecasts from the Bell Telephone Hour 1959-1966"

A must for any opera lover!

operamaryc | DIAMOND BAR, CA United States | 05/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These two DVD's are happy in my collection and are essential to anyone who were lucky enough to see some of these wonderful programs in their living rooms on television. I certainly miss programs as wonderful as these. If you are old enough to remember these singers you have to have these DVD's (volume 1 and 2) if not, you need to have them to see and hear the singers that older people refer to in conversation and in print. All the singers are fun to see and hear again the these are true treasures for any opera lover. Price is priceless! Each performance is a jewel to keep entertaining far into the future.
A definite buy!"

Great Opera Stars of Opera, Vol. 2; telecasts from the bell.

Xavier | 11/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Truly a magnificent find for me. The uncomparable Leontyne Price proves over and over that she is, "first among her her peers", a real diva. I'm not surprised she received an unrivaled 42 minute standing ovation at the Met. This record still stands today.

I heard her in person in the 80's in Tennessee and was overwhelmed beyond belief. I waited in line for her autograph and went back several times for additional ones.

Had Leontyne Price not been included (and there was no way possible she could have been excluded) in this dvd I would not have made this purchase. I must add; however, the other sopranos were good and am pleased.

Franco Corelli was magnificent as usual and never a disappointment; Nicolai Gedda, Georgio Tozzi, Richard Tucker and Robert Merrill were fantastic. Also George London, whom I had no knowledge, was good.

Must close but not without saying that I wish Leontyne Price well for she is a true American Treasure."

Absolutely enchanting visit to the past

Steven A. Peterson | Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL) | 11/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What an enchanting DVD! This is another compilation of the best of the old Bell Telephone Hour. Wonderful singers from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s have their art preserved. This is a lot of fun to listen to.

Some examples:

The great Renata Tebaldi takes on "Vissi d'arte," from "Tosca." This is, as one would expect, elegantly sung by Tebaldi, one of the greatest sopranos of her era. Her rich, smooth voice and her own interpretation provides a poignant version of this piece.

Regina Resnik sings "The Gypsy Song" from "Carmen"--and sings it well. She displays a rich voice; the scene is also well conceived. A nice ensemble work.

Robert Merrill follows in the same episode of "The Bell Telephone Hour" with the "Toreador Song." He was a most dependable baritone, who gave good performances, well sung. The redoubtable Merrill does a very nice turn here.

"Die Fledermaus" is hardly a major piece--but it is a lot of fun! Here, an effervescent scene among Phyllis Curtin, Nicolai Gedda, and Theodor Uppman, the Act I Trio. Simply, great fun! This is an infectious piece as sung by the three principles here. World historically, this is a trifle. But so much fun!

George London and Anna Moffo essay "La ci darem la mano," from Mozart's "Don Giovanni." Their voices blend well together. London is in his prime and sings his character well; Moffo is also in fine voice. Well sung and entertaining.

Anno Moffo sings one of her signature pieces, "Ah, fors e lui. . . Sempre libera" from "La Traviata." In her time, she and Renata Scotto were exemplars singing Violetta. Moffo was a good actress as well as a fine soprano. In this role, Joan Sutherland brought her great technique, but she did not "own" this role as did Scotto or Moffo. All in all, this a richly musical version of this piece.

Finally, Leontyne Price sings "Tacea la notte" from "Il Trovatore." Well sung indeed. What a rich voice she displays! This exemplifies why she was so well regarded in her day.

So, the bottom line? This is a wonderful introduction to opera performers of mid-century for those who are unfamiliar with them. And for old-timers like me, it is a wonderful reminder of the talent pool of the era.
"