COMPOSER:Verdi

Disc Title: La Forza del Destino

Disc catalog: TDK DVDB-OPORZA Recording Date: 2007 Program Length: 189 mins A live TeatroComunale, Florence production

Cast: Violeta Urmana, Carlo Guelfi, Marcello Giordani, Julia Gertseva, Roberto Scandiuzzi & Bruno De Simone
Chorus and Orchestra of Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Zubin Mehta (conductor) & Nicolas Joël (director)

Video rating: 5/5 Audio type: DTS HD MA 7.1, PCM Stereo No mention of bitrates Audio rating: 5/5

Overall rating: 4/5

Summary comment: A traditional production which is very very good without being rivetting.

Detailed Comment: Verdi appeared to love tragedies with the hero or heroine (in this case both) dying in the last scene. All of the family of the Marquis of Calatrava we see in this opera expire in the unlikely tale, but then how many operas are realistic? - it is pointless to criticise the storyline. And there is some very good singing in this production accompanied very impressively with an orchestra conducted by Mehta. Lithuanian soprano Violeta Urmana sings the role of Leonora very capably and is backed up with very good performances by Marcello Giordani singing the role of Alvaro, a man pursued by the vengeful Don Carlo sung by Carlo Guelfi. Although this production did not make the hairs stand up on the back of my neck I was impressed with it overall, particularly the male chorus work.
Audio and video are up to the best BD standards which means they are excellent.
So, recommended to add to your collection.

John

Last edited by Tassie Devil; 2010-07-26 01:08.