Search - Verdi - Falstaff / Muti, Maestri, Frittoli, Florez, Frontali, Antonacci, Busseto Teatro Verdi on DVD


Verdi - Falstaff / Muti, Maestri, Frittoli, Florez, Frontali, Antonacci, Busseto Teatro Verdi
Verdi - Falstaff / Muti Maestri Frittoli Florez Frontali Antonacci Busseto Teatro Verdi
Actors: Anna Caterina Antonacci, Barbara Frittoli, Ambrogio Maestri, Juan Diego Florez, Roberto Frontali
Genres: Music Video & Concerts, Musicals & Performing Arts
NR     2003     1hr 58min

The present recording was made at a performance in Busseto, Verdi's birthplace, in the Emilia Romagna region. There, in 2001, a whole series of events marked the 100th anniversary of the composer's death. The small, 328-se...  more »

     
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Movie Details

Actors: Anna Caterina Antonacci, Barbara Frittoli, Ambrogio Maestri, Juan Diego Florez, Roberto Frontali
Genres: Music Video & Concerts, Musicals & Performing Arts
Sub-Genres: DTS, Classical
Studio: Euroarts
Format: DVD - Color,Widescreen
DVD Release Date: 11/18/2003
Release Year: 2003
Run Time: 1hr 58min
Screens: Color,Widescreen
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 1
Edition: Classical
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Languages: English

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Movie Reviews

A superb performance
Jorge Fernandez Baca | Lima, Peru | 01/07/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"You will hardly find a Falstaff like this once again in your life. There is not a flaw in this DVD: the singers, the orchestra, the direction, the sound, la mise en scêne, they are all simply extraordinary. The most enjoyable surprise is Ambrosio Maestri, who performs the best Falstaff I have ever seen in my life. I used to think Bryn Terfel was the best singer in the world for this role, but it sufficed one minute listening to Maestri's voice to change my mind immediately. The warmth of his voice and the quality of his acting make him a perfect Sir John. Roberto Frontali and Barbara Fritolli as Mr and Mrs Ford are also wonderful. Juan Diego Flores (the great Peruvian tenor) and Inva Mula are splendid as Fenton and Nanetta. The rest of the cast are also brilliant, and Riccardo Mutti's conduction is exceptional. Finally, I want to mention that this DVD was so hard to find that the only way to get it was through the Amazon's British store"
A perfect performance of a perfect opera!
Jorge Fernandez Baca | 01/13/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was just a fabulous production overall! Every singer was charming and perfectly suited to their parts. Juan Diego Florez had to sing full tilt a few times just to be heard, but he was still more charming in this than anything else I have ever seen him in. Maestri was wonderful as Falstaff. Truly wonderful. Barbara Frittoli, once again, proves herself to be the most formidable operatic talent alive. She is just a superb actress and a superb singer. The entire production was solid and VERY enjoyable. This is worth the money!! Buy it, you won't regret it."
I bought it ... and regretted it.
P. Hildebrand | 04/20/2005
(2 out of 5 stars)

"I was persuaded to buy this dvd by the other reviewers. As I teach this work in class, I was looking to upgrade my beloved, older vhs of the 1983 Covent Garden performance with Bruson and Giulini, so that I could more easily access selected scenes.

However, I was sorely disappointed by this performance. Despite the reviewers' comments, I found the staging and performances to be leaden, with everyone most often simply standing in a line and singing with their eyes on the conductor, not on each other. In fact, Maestri seemed downright uncomfortable in the role and not able to take his eyes off of Muti. And I agree with the reviewer who said that Meastri is made up to look like Bozo the Clown! Falstaff is a real, dimensional character -- silly yet loveable, who ultimately wins our sympathy and respect. None of that character subtlety is in Maestri's performance for me -- especially coming on the heels of Bruson's totally convincing performance on the vhs/Covent Garden version. At the end of this performance, as the orchestra plays out after the fugue, the Covent Garden performance has everyone dancing about in general merrymaking -- here they all simply stand in a line (again!) with their arms raised like a bad high school musical tableau.

If you're considering this performance -- keep looking."
Could it be better?
C. Harbison | Montague, MA United States | 06/22/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"The only qualification that I could imagine someone making about this miraculous performance is that it takes place in a very small theater on a very small stage. But the singers are all fantastic--just to hear Florez sing Fenton's Act III aria is worth the price of admission. The women are simply delightful, Falstaff rich and characterful; only Ford is a bit mild and reserved. The sets are delicate, evocative and wonderfully old-fashioned (based on a 1913 Toscanini-conducted performance). Muti's conducting is light and effective--one needs to get adjusted to the lack of a full string section, but once that is made, everything flows beautifully. This really is a great, intimate performance and video. You feel lucky to be present in a small, cultured Italian town with the best singers and musicians imaginable."