Editorial Product Review: :Opera is an inherently theatrical medium that does not lend itself readily to the realism of film treatment. The shining exception is Puccini's Tosca, an action-packed melodrama that unfolds in three taut and gripping acts like the meatiest of Hollywood films noir. And unlike most operas, these three acts are set in three very specific Roman locales. Thus this 1976 film takes place in the church of Sant'Andrea della Valle (Act 1), the Palazzo Farnese (Act 2), and the Castel Sant'Angelo (Act 3). The evocative settings, however, would be mere window-dressing if ...
Editorial Product Review: :Opera's most popular double bill, fondly known as Cav and Pag, can be a tawdry mess or, as in this performance of Pagliacci, a searing experience. Its power derives from an all-star cast headed by tenor Jon Vickers in the double role of betrayed husband, Canio, and tragic clown, Pagliacci. He’s a singer who blurred the division between reality and stage illusion in every role he assumed, thus taking an opera about that thin line between real life and stage artifice to heightened levels of intensity. Vickers is a force of nature, ...
Editorial Product Review:Description:Undoubtedly one of the world's most popular operas, recorded from the open-air Arena di Verona. Stars Raina Kabaivanska in the title role, with Nazzareno Antinori as Pinkerton and Lorenzo Saccomani as Sharpless. Conducted by Maurizo Arena. Color, 144 minutes.Subtitled in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian. :This traditional production of Puccini's enduringly popular opera Madama Butterfly should give much pleasure. It was recorded at the open-air theatre in Verona in 1983 with the local orchestra and chorus under the aptly named Maurizio Arena. The video direction is by an expert in the field, ...
Editorial Product Review:Description:Opera lovers worldwide will rejoice in, this first ever release of Karajan’s final Trovatore, featuring Plácido Domingo on DVD. Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989) not only conducted the opera, but he was also responsible for the stage direction. The recording was very rarely broadcast and this DVD draws on the original tapes held by Austrian Television (ORF). These have been extensively restored using state of the art technology. Thus this gem from the archives can now be enjoyed on DVD with enhanced sound and picture quality and the opera stars of this production ...
Editorial Product Review:Description:Opera lovers worldwide will rejoice in, this first ever release of Karajan’s final Trovatore, featuring Plácido Domingo on DVD. Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989) not only conducted the opera, but he was also responsible for the stage direction. The recording was very rarely broadcast and this DVD draws on the original tapes held by Austrian Television (ORF). These have been extensively restored using state of the art technology. Thus this gem from the archives can now be enjoyed on DVD with enhanced sound and picture quality and the opera stars of this production ...
Editorial Product Review:Description:In this classic production of Tosca, Placido Domingo is joined by dramatically gifted Bulgarian soprano Raina Kabaivanska. The opera's celebrated love triangle is completed by the imposing American baritone Sherrill Milnes. Also includes a rare scene of Domingo's young son, Placido Domingo Jr. in the role of the shepherd boy, Pastore. Beautifully shot on location in Rome by Gianfranco de Bosio, it features the very buildings and interiors specified in Puccini's libretto. A treat for the eye as well as the ear. Raina Kabaivanska: Tosca Plácido Domingo: Mario Cavaradossi Mario Ferrara: Spoletta ...
Editor Annalee Newitz reveals the inspiration for the futurism-focused site's name, shares her obsession with the scientifically taboo and tells why sci-fi is going mainstream.
Editor Annalee Newitz reveals the inspiration for the futurism-focused site's name, shares her obsession with the scientifically taboo and tells why sci-fi is going mainstream.
It's June 29th and Apple is finally ready to let the public play with the iPhone. The past six months have shaped up to be the highest profile mobile phone launch ever, Apple has conjured up an...
[Thanks to dozens of spam sites using the full text of our RSS content, the feed is now only a summary. Click through to see the full story.)
