VHS : Francesca De Rimini
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Thumb and a Half Down for Da Rimini
I love opera and I'm not picky, so it isn't often that I watch an opera and say, "Gee, when is this going to be over?" But the Met's 1984-85 production of Zandonai's Francesca da Rimini had that effect on me. The staging in the first scene was absurd. As I looked at the little garden in the center of the stage, I kept wondering who had died, for it appeared to be a coffin covered with silk flowers. The action at the meeting of Francesca and Paolo was so hidden that if I hadn't been watching via video, ... Read More
Rating:  - Scotto Convert
Being too young to have ever experienced Scotto live, I was confused as to why Met audiences held her so high in her heyday. I had heard her recordings and thought she was interesting but that her floppy high notes were a major turnoff. Then, I saw this DVD. I completely understand her appeal now. She is magnetic and (I can't believe I am saying this) the loose high notes didn't even bother me. Everything else in this production is high quality as well. If you are a fan of Scotto, this is a must ... Read More
Rating: - disappointing production
although this DVD has very good performances by Domingo and Scotto it is flawed by very poor filming. Yes the set and costumes are lush, but it is so dark you can't see them. I bought this in spite of it being a Pioneer production, but I
will not make this mistake again.
Rating: - Met puts best foot forward
The Metropolitan Opera went all out to make its production of this rarely performed work a success. The sets are beautiful and match the music perfectly. The conducting and playing could hardly be bettered. Scotto is nearly perfect in the title role (just a few years earlier she would have been absolutely perfect). Domingo was at his best as Paolo. Nevertheless, veteran baritone Cornell MacNeil nearly steals the show as the nasty, brutish Gianciotto. At this stage of his career, his voice was no longer ... Read More
Rating: - Francesca da Rimini at the Met (DVD)
Francesca da Rimini is a fascinating opera and in parts - the end of act 1, the second half of Act 3 - truly magical. It is not the sort of opera which would take kindly to a minimalist production or to updating, so - in this case - the lavish sets and costumes provided by the Met are entirely appropriate and highly effective (though I do wish the audience would refrain from applauding the scenery). The opera stands or falls by the casting of Francesca and Paolo and in this production it definitely stands. ... Read More
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