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.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Cast of a lifetime
Natalie Dessay is the best operatic comedienne I have ever seen! Both she and Florez are the very best vocally and physically. They both sing this difficult music as if it were easy. VERY highly recommended.
Rating: - Delightful
Dessay and Florez were at there best. A delightful entertaining opera for the family.
Rating: - 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. ... Read More
Rating: - 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. ... Read More
Rating: - 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 ... Read More
