Starring: Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazon, Daniel Barenboim, Alfredo Daza, Christof Fischesser Directed by: Vincent Paterson Binding: DVD Published: 2008-09-23
International superstars Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazón give inspired performances in Massenet's passionate opera, Manon. Netrebko gives full range to her abilities as a singer and actress in portraying innocence, lust, greed and, above all, beauty. It is Netrebko's mesmerizing performance which makes Villazón's youthful passion and ultimate despair even more authentic and heart-breaking. The setting in this production has been updated to the 1950s and the entire opera takes place as if Manon were the star of her own film. Indeed, Netrebko transforms her character from the innocence of Audrey Hepburn through the voluptuousness of Marilyn Monroe into the tragedy of Ingrid Bergman. The work of director Vincent Paterson, known for his work on Broadway and in music videos, is especially effective in creating an energetic and ultimately tragic performance with stunning visual splendor. Netrebko and Villazón, the true dream-team for this opera, are joined by the conductor Daniel Barenboim who leads the Staatskapelle Berlin in a spontaneous and passionate performance.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
magnificent:
Excellent performance from both, Villazón and Netrebko, definitely there's an outstanding chemistry between them tnat enchantes the audiences. Highly recommended version.
What a show...but very a little flavor of opera comique:
This production is a beautiful show to watch. The cast is exciting, but so little French. So, if you do not pay too much attention to the pronunciation, then you will enjoy the creamy and lyric voice of Ms Netrebko, who portrays a strong Manon, dedicated to pleasure (see L'hotel de Transylvanie act). Villazon is, as always, very (some would say too much) involved in his character, but his voice was, at that time (2006), still responding (though he is asking too much). However, Faisons un reve is sung with... more info
An Excellent Manon:
For some time I have tried to resist the charms of Netrebko; I listened to her Gilda from the Met; well sung but something was lacking. When Virgin released the L'Elisire from Vienna with Villazon and Netrebko I got it principally for Villazon who didn't disappoint. The diva was charming but she faced stiff competition in this arena: Scotto, Gheorghiu, etc. Considering Nucci's age it was an amazing performance but at least it was in a repertoire that he should never have strayed from. But back to... more info
Paris in Hollywood:
Here is the second major production of Jules Massenet's "Manon" to come out on DVD in 2008. Earlier, we had David McVicar's gritty, unsentimental production, set in the story's own period of the early 18th century, from Barcelona's Liceu Opera House. Now comes a much "prettier" production, updated to the 1950s in a glamorous Hollywood treatment by Vincent Patterson for Los Angeles Opera and the Berlin Staatsoper. These DVDs are as different as their two female stars -- Natalie Dessay and Anna Netrebko --... more info
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