| Gounod - Romeo et Juliette / Mackerras, Alagna, Vaduva, Royal Opera Covent Garden | 
| Director: Brian Large
Actors: Roberto Alagna, Leontina Vaduva, Anna Maria Panzarella, Robert Lloyd, Francois Le Roux
Studio: Kultur Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.99
Buy New: $15.80
You Save: $14.19 (47%)
Buy New/Used from $13.19
Avg. Customer Rating:   (12 reviews)
Sales Rank: 54908
Format: Classical, Color, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Ntsc
Languages: French (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 171 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 1493
ISBN: 0769714935
UPC: 032031149397
EAN: 9780769714936
ASIN: B00005UW8C
Release Date: November 20, 2001
Theatrical Release Date: 1994
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Similar Items:
| • | Tchaikovsky - Eugene Onegin / Fleming, Vargas, Hvorostovsky, Gergiev, Carsen [Metropolitan Opera 2007] | | • | Gaetano Donizetti - La Fille du regiment / Dessay, Florez, Palmer, Corbelli, French, Campanella, Pelly (Royal Opera House 2007) | | • | Donizetti - L'Elisir d'Amore / Eschwe, Netrebko, Villazon, Wiener Staatsoper | | • | Verdi - La Traviata | | • | Vincenzo Bellini - I Puritani |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Gounod's version of Shakespeare's tragedy about two "star-crossed lovers" has never been considered a first-class opera, but as this 1994 Royal Opera production movingly shows, with the right singers and conductor it can be a quite emotional experience. Tenor Roberto Alagna is all youthful ardor and aching romance as Romeo, while soprano Leontina Vaduva plays Juliet as a lover frightfully aware of the doom the pair is moving toward. Among an able supporting cast, Francois Le Roux stands out as Mercutio. Nicolas Joel's staging rarely strays from its focus on the lovers, and it even finds room for moments of true invention and wit. Conducting the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Charles Mackerras again proves his worth as an estimable interpreter of this kind of traditional French opera. --Kevin Filipski
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| Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
 Beautifully sung production January 15, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Romeo et Juliette has always been one of my favorite operas. The leads are both perfect in their interpretation of youthful love. Roberto Alagna is in superb form and a terrific Romeo. It is a joy to behold his perfect French diction. His voice is sweet, lyrical and clear cut like most French tenors. Vaduva is an excellent Juliette. She can act, is young and beautiful, and has a wonderful coloratura. Her opening aria "Je veux Vivre..." is simply incredible! I thought her voice was perfect and her diction was right on too. They seemed to have strong chemistry. The only drawback for me was the set seemed rather sparse. The color appears drabby on dvd, but may have had to do with the production's lighting. Anyways, I give it 5 stars for Alagna and Vaduva's believable performances.
 You can have my copy for free! December 19, 2007
1 out of 6 found this review helpful
Never have much cared for Alagna and in this production he really disappoints - vocally and visually. Just saw him in the MET simulcast which will soon be released on DVD and can't believe how much better the Met's production brings some 'life' to this less than 'grand' opera. This DVD should be relegated to the garbage can and I advise all to pick up the Met's production when it is available.
Outstanding performance August 20, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Everything - singing, acting, conducting, staging, costumes - were excellent.Conventional staging & costumes, singers who actually looked their parts, and an outsanding peformance by Alagna make this a memorable opera.
A second-tier opera gets a first class performance March 6, 2006
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
This is a superb production, sumptuously staged and sung with passion throughout. The young Alagna sings beautifully with an exquisite sense of lyricism and dynamics. He won an Olivier award for his performance and it was well-deserved. Vaduva is a memorable Juliette: she captures the awkwardness and coltishness of an adolescent girl overcome with passion and not quite knowing how to handle it until it's too late. Their emotions are almost palpable and the final scene is truly heartwrenching. Both singers tend to veer slightly off pitch at times but hey, this is a live performance and I much prefer them to the CD versions. Francois Le Roux is a carefree, careless Mercutio and Anna Maria Panzerella gets the Wasted Mezzo award for her superb portrayal of the page Stephano. Nicolas Joel's direction never gets out line although there are some curious omissions (Romeo and Juliet don't kiss at their first meeting; Mercutio asks Romeo, 'Why did you come between us?' in the duel scene; Romeo is at the other end of the stage.). Sir Charles Mackerras gives a lyrical and passionate account of the score. We discovered this video after a thoroughly disappointing production in Cincinnati and what a wonderful antidote it was. Don't waste your time on the one hour version that was shown in 2002 on PBS with Alagna and Gheorghiu--this is the real thing.
Wonderful! December 3, 2005
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
This is one of my favorites. The sets are a bit drab (I don't understand the constant blue lighting), but the performances from the singers make up for it. All of the supporting roles are well sung, but it is Romeo and Juliet that make this a production to remember.
Alagna is in fine voice -- his "Ah! leve-toi, soleil!" is magnificent. As the opera goes on, his voice can be unsteady and a bit out of tune at times, but overall this is a very good performance. His acting is also very believable, as is Vaduva's. They both look and act the part. Vaduva's voice is somewhat strained at times, but for the majority of the time she sings the part well. Together, Alagna and Vaduva are captivating to watch. The tomb scene especially will bring tears to your eyes.
The combination of Gounod's achingly beautiful music and the fine singing/acting make this a treat to experience. 4 stars.
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