Donizetti - Lucia di Lammermoor / Joan Sutherland, Alfredo Kraus, Pablo Elvira, Paul Plishka, Richard Bonynge, Metropolitan Opera
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Actor: Alfredo Kraus, Joan Sutherland, Pablo Elvira, Paul Plishka, Richard BonyngeBrand: Universal Studios
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); German (Subtitled); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Italian (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); Italian (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: Classical, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 128 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-01-10
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Deutsche Grammophon
DVD Reviews of Donizetti - Lucia di Lammermoor / Joan Sutherland, Alfredo Kraus, Pablo Elvira, Paul Plishka, Richard Bonynge, Metropolitan Opera
DVD Review: La Stupenda in her signature role
Summary: 5 Stars
When people think of Opera composers they usually think of Verdi or Wagner, Mozart or Strauss. I think of Donizetti for some peculiar reason. Possibly because he reminds me of a hard working blue-collar guy who heads out early in the morning, well before sun-up; then returns home late at night, dog-tired: heading straight for the neighborhood bar. I feel that I could have a glass of wine with Donizetti (it's a wine bar, of course. This is Opera, not Cheers). Try hoisting a few with Wagner. He'd get you drunk then pick your pocket! Donizetti, on the other hand, was what we here in Brooklyn would call "a mensch".
Lucia di Lammermoor is one of the great tragic Operas. It lay dormant for many years because the coloratura soprano necessary to sing this demanding role simply wasn't available. By a happy accident, two coloraturas appeared at mid-century: Maria Callas and Joan Sutherland. The Bel Canto repertoire was revived.
Sutherland made her reputation in the role of Lucia starting in 1959, and had been singing it ever since. If there is one role associated with her, it is this one. She made her historic debut as Lucia at the Met in November 1961 in an old production originally mounted for Lily Pons. A new production followed in 1964, created by Margherita Wallman. This was Sutherland's subsequent showcase in 1966, 1970 and finally, in a restaging by Bruce Donnell, in 1982. This DVD, taped on 13 November 1982 from a live broadcast on PBS, records that production.
The picture is quite clean following digital remastering, but there are some artifacts due to the age of this tape. There's a slight fuzziness in the image, as well as ghosting during rapid movement and occasional color bleeding (for a moment, a large green blotch appears out of nowhere). These are all minor and don't subtract from enjoyment. The sound is clear and full in either LPCM stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS 5.1 Digital Surround (my choice because it sounds best).
As for the performances: this is definitely a vehicle for Dame Joan. Her husband, Conductor Richard Bonynge, has edited the performing edition, removing the stormy scene between Edgardo and Enrico as well as other passages surrounding the vocal highlights. To my ears, Sutherland's voice sounds tired. Age has pinched her high notes so that they sound raspy. She is pushing her voice rather than letting it flow naturally. But when she is "in the moment" the heft of her voice returns. The famous Sestetto is stunning. The size of her voice, it's old power and amazing range are all there to hear (albeit in slightly degraded form). I think she was husbanding her resources, waiting for her signature moments, a wise thing to do. The famous mad scene (with flute, not glass harmonica as in Beverly Sill's wonderful recording for Westminster) is similarly great. The ovation from the packed house continues for 5 minutes. Making allowances for age, her performance is terrific. Fans of Sutherland will want this DVD.
The late tenor Alfredo Kraus is fine in the role of Edgardo, a part he sang well into his 60's. Baritone Pablo Elvira is a good Enrico. Bass Paul Plishka is a sonorous Raimondo. Conductor Richard Bonynge has the measure of this score, of course. I like his reading of this marvelous Opera. In fact, he is quite a Donizetti specialist. Some have criticized him for being somewhat pedestrian, but not here. The Met Orchestra is just plain wonderful, as usual. The production is beautiful to look at. A traditional staging, typical of the Met. I like that conservative approach, for what it's worth.
Whatever imperfections exist in Sutherland's aging instrument are probably irrelevant. Fans will want this DVD because Sutherland at 75% is better than any other coloratura soprano singing today. It is a treat just to see her in this role. Coloraturas of her vocal greatness just don't happen that often. It may be a long time before we see her like again, sad to say. My strong recommendation seems beside the point. Get this DVD as long as you can accept the effects of time on a great soprano's voice. Then close your eyes, listen and dream of long ago when titans strode the Earth and some of us were privileged to witness it.
Mike Birman
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Description of Donizetti - Lucia di Lammermoor / Joan Sutherland, Alfredo Kraus, Pablo Elvira, Paul Plishka, Richard Bonynge, Metropolitan Opera
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