Editorial Product Review:Amazon.com:This DVD version of Donizetti's comic opera zooms right to the top of any list of essential videos for opera fans. It may not be the composer's best work, but given a top-notch production with world class singing actors, it brings vocal thrills and an abundance of laughs, a combination that's hard to beat. The stars are Juan Diego Flórez and Natalie Dessay, both unbeatable in
bel canto roles, and both in top form here. Flórez's mellifluous tenor is flexible enough to make child's play of the terrifying (to other tenors) nine high C's in
Ah! mes amis,' and supple enough to make his tender love arias moving. Dessay is equally comfortable in the stratospheric coloratura passages and poignant in such heart-tugging set-pieces as her farewell to her regimental 'fathers' and her misery as the victim of the Marquise's well-meaning attempts to teach her to be an aristocratic lady. She's also a terrific comic actress. In her first appearance she's doing the regiment's laundry, and her antics with the iron and the ironing board while singing elaborately difficult coloratura passages induce belly laughs. But then, so do her comic acting in many other scenes, such as her Act II entry in a silk dress and full petticoat, her walk a wonderful parody of a 'lady's' heel-to-toe gait. That moment alone is worth the price of admission. Lesser roles too, are done to perfection. Felicity Palmer, a long-time Covent Garden favorite, is a delicious Marquise de Berkenfield, and Donald Maxwell, is her apt partner as Hortensius, her servant. Sergeant Sulpice, the heroine's protector, is well-sung and acted by Alessandro Corbelli, and Dawn French almost steals the show as the overbearing Duchess. Conductor Bruno Campanella leads a spirited performance, enhanced by the fine playing by the Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House. Laurent Pelly's stage direction is wonderful for its comic touches and Chantal Thomas' simple but effective sets add to the delights. The video direction efficiently serves the staging, focusing on the action and the singers without adding extraneous shots that detract from the musical flow. All of which makes this DVD a can't-miss for opera fans.
--Dan Davis La Fille du regiment is in 16:9 ratio. Sound options include PCM Stereo, Dolby 5.1 Surround and DTS 5.1 Surround. Subtitles include English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian.
Description:In January 2007, superstar soprano Natalie Dessay, joined on stage by acclaimed tenor Juan Diego Florez dazzled British audiences in Laurent Pelly's new production of Donizetti's 'LA FILLE DU REGIMENT'. The perfectly staged & cast production became the operatic event of the year, receiving rave press reviews & rapturous audience ovations.
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Buyer Reviews
Average Buyer Rating:
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An energetic and amazing tour de force
As another reviewer has noted, this Covent Garden production was recently (spring 2008) performed at the Met in New York. I had the pleasure of seeing that production via the Met's closed circuit HD broadcasts.
While I am on that subject, I congratulate and thank the Met for those broadcasts. While not quite the same as being in Lincoln Center for the live performance, it is the next best thing. Those of you who are opera lovers and have not yet discovered or attended those broadcasts should buy your tickets for the 2008-09 season.
Natalie Dessay is a petit French soprano whose acting ability, especially in this comic opera, and whose energy level, matches her excellent musicianship and beautiful voice. Juan Diego Florez, a Peruvian tenor with a light lyric yet powerful voice, matches her perfectly. Alessandro Corbelli is superb as the Sergeant protector. A special treat is the speaking role of Felicity Palmer.
Unfortunately I have not yet seen the Teatro Carlo Felice production reviewer Toni Bernhard referred to in an excellent write-up. But I have seen Natalie Dessay live in Lucia di Lammermoor at the Met and can tell you that she is an outstanding actress and made the famous "mad scene" totally convincing.
Florez is well launched on a successful career in comic opera that I believe will see him grow into true stardom in the years to come.
All in all a very worthy opera DVD.
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Dessay and Florez are Spectacular
For singers, especially, this is a spectacular and exciting event. Seen on the Giant Cinemark screen it was excellent, but scrutiny at one's leisure of the quality and talent of these two artists was breathtaking. Actually, it wasn't just these two artists. The Orchestra was spectacular with not a weak spot in the entire opera, crisp, clean execution, and magnificent musicality. The support singers were also better than you can imagine. I was unfamiliar with this opera until I saw this production, and can't for the life of me imagine anything more thrilling! Staging and comedy were not forced, but naturally good humored and beautifully timed. I bought this and have watched it several times. It is one of the most inspiring performances I've ever scene. You'll LOVE it!
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MOST ENJOYABLE PRODUCTION
WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THIS PRODUCTION IN THE THEATRE SPONSORED BY THE MET AND FOUND IT DELIGHTFUL. THIS VERSION WAS A MUST FOR OUR LIBRARY. DESSAY AND THE ENTIRE CAST HAVE PUT A NEW TWIST ON THIS OLDER PLOT TO THE ABSOLUTE DELIGHT OF EVERYONE WHO HAS SEEN IT. EVEN THE OPERA NEWS MAGAZINE HAS GIVEN IT A TOTAL "THUMBS UP."
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Great, but an edge to the Met's version of '08.
This is a great production with beautiful singing and great humor. The more recent Met's version has the advantage of "tweaking" and refining a year later, to raise the standard to amazingly ingenious ie., choreographing the laundry in the scenery in the background, and refining and embellishing the acting/singing of the characters. Natalie Dessay is a delight on all levels. She integrates the music, singing, and characterization with the comic genious of a Lucille Ball or Charlie Chaplin.