Reviews (3)

Just Great
I was not so much exposed to this opera although I am big fan for classical music especially Mozart's. One of my best friends was so kind to show me this video and I am greatful to that. I totally recommend this work for all those who love art because it does not only make you comforted by the music but even the decorations of the set is lovely and shows an art masterpiece. Own it and do not think twice.

Stratas at her best
This delightful Opera combines Mozart's most beautiful music with five outstanding voices, plus the outstanding voice and acting of Teresa Stratas, as the funny Despina. One cannot ask for more. I am sorry that it is not available in DVD, but surely the powers that be will see the obvious need for this soon. Fortunately for me, I was given the chance to see and hear this version of "Cosi Fan Tutte" by a good friend, and felt that I had to have it in my collection at once. You will too.

Sublime, penultimate -- the best opera video ever produced
The divas on this video will bring you to tears. You'll rewind passages again and again just to marvel at the beauty of the music and the voice. Honestly, only Nature, is all her magnificence, is as awesome as this masterpiece by Mozart -- and this video captures it perfectly. The production is superb, the sound is excellent, the acting is great, the sets are first-rate. And the singing is penultimate. There is absolutely no defect here. I have a collection of about 50 opera videos, and this is the best by far. Beg, borrow, or steal to find this, and you will cherish it forever. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Cosi Fan Tutte
The sets are wonderful, as one expects from La Scala. There is not one weak voice in the cast. You will love Despina. What can I say? Mozart reigns.

Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.
I have listened to over 600 different opera recordings in my lifetime on video and if I had to choose a video that had the worst sound quality and the worst balance of sound recording between voices and orchestra, this would be the one. This, like many opera dvds, was not a recording produced exclusively for dvd, but rather, a dvd recording re-recorded onto vhs with added menus and special effects. Muti is an excellent conductor and the emotion sparkles in this production but my ears were left straining to hear the notes of Mozart's beautiful opera. Avoid this recording like the plague and don't say that I didn't warn you. If you want a good recording of Cosi Fan Tutti to listen to, (I'm still looking for a good video recording) buy Georg Solti's recording with Michele Pertusi singing bass. You'll love it, I promise!

Muti's Cosi
It's important to realize what we have here. A very sophisticated performance musically, full of vitality, beautiful orchestral playing, and six superb soloists in roles that suit them well. Riccardo Muti is one of the leading Mozart conductors of the day, and his perfectionist and stylish approach, serving the composer totally, is an absolute delight. The production is stylistic, and pretty to look at. The live performance has an electricity which is captivating. 10 out of 10 !

If I could rate it higher, I would.
This is a rremarkably subtle and accurate version of this difficult work. It is more than rare to see Mozart handled with impeccable taste and an obvious grasp of many of the deeper aspects of plot and score. In addition, this version boasts perfect 18th century style. Sad to see such ignorant reviews of this work.

Good performance, poor video quality
Muti's performance is acceptably"Mozartian"- and the singers do justice to the roles. The production is what one might call "opera house standard."

However, the video rendition is atrocious - perhaps the translation from European to American video standards was "too much" - the images are "jumpy" and erratic- it's distracting in the extreme. Turn off the monitor and listen to the performance. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Brilliant
Exquisite in all ways.
Operatic beauty beyond all words.
Experience it for yourself.
Your life will be much better for it.

Surprisingly good
Let me admit right off the bat that early twentieth century opera -- Puccini, Strauss, and Janacek -- is my first love. I put off for a long time getting this Monteverdi work, fearing that it would be a bloodless, continuo-dominated bore. What an eye-opener it was when I finally bought it and watched it! This opera has nothing but gorgeous, dramatic music from beginning to end.

It helps that this production has a world-class cast, headed by Sir Thomas Allen. I think (and this is admittedly a personal opinion) that it also helps that the orchestration has been done by a world-class contemporary composer. Since Monteverdi's orchestration, if in fact he ever did it, has not survived, the choices are limited: create some presumably Monteverdi-like imitation, or go with what works best. Henze did the latter, and the result is music to my ears. The staging and technical aspects of the production are also admirable.

This production may not appeal to period purists, but I found it most enjoyable, and suspect that other aficianados of modern opera will as well.

SPECTACULAR ! Authentic, yet updated.
It's like Monteverdi himself came back to bring this
Opera up to date ! STAGING MAKES FANTASTIC CONCEPTS
MANIFEST INTO REALITY-- surreal. Zeus IS on a throne in
the clouds with an eagle stained glass window, Diane's chariot
IS riding the clouds, Neptune DOES rise out of the Sea in
a chariot drawn by giant sea horses. Ulysses cries out
as Saturn (the grim reaper with wings), cupid, and destiny
ACTUALLY terrify him AND YOU !!! The singing done on a stage
that looks like a giant atom-- AND YOU ARE THERE !
The camera-man does his job well, and it's NOT like camera
on a tripod. The recording is clear. The performance is
outstanding. The orchestra does an excellent job with
modern instruments-- the only way it could have been more
authentic would be to break out museum instruments !!!
Monteverdi clearly intented music for scenes like
Neptune rising out of the sea and Zeus thundering in the
heavens to have a "KINGLY" sound like a entrance for CAESAR
(or something like that)--GODS NEED THE HORNS -- and the
ORF Symphony Orchestra does an excellent job of providing them.
The music is supposed to provide an AWESOME sound effect,
and the use of instrumentation provides that.
Unlike "L'ORFEO", where the music often needs to be that of sweet
nymphs and shepherds, "IL RITORNO D'ULISSE IN PATRIA" is about
large gods and large scale events.

Monteverdi & Henze - A Great Match!
This is one of my very favorite videos. Allen's double duty as
L'Umana fragilita & Ulisse makes perfect sense. I think the work goes to another level when this pairing is practiced.

Allen is naked enough for us to get the idea. Ideally, L'Umana fragilita SHOULD be naked, however, I don't believe we as a society are quite advanced enough for this nudity not to get in the way of the message. Some day.

For me, one of the most heart lifting moments in all of opera occurs is the recognition and scene ending duet which occurs between Ulisse and Telemaco. In the space of a moment, Allen's Ulisse changes from old man (far more then just a disguise, in my opinion), to father reunited with his long lost son, and warrior/hero finally ready to return home to his beloved. A
magnificent characterization.

There isn't a false moment in this production and Allen & Kathleen Kuhlmann's final duet is as glorious to see as it is to hear.

At first hearing, Henze's realizations of Monteverdi's score puzzled me just a bit however now it falls beautifully on the ear. While some have denounced it as unlistenable, I think it's among Henze's finest achievements. If you have only room for one type of interpretation - authentic - this is not the video for you. While I love authentic sounding Monteverdi, I have more than ample room to enjoy this production.

The physical production is wonderful and gives the singers great space to work in.

I revisit this DVD with great frequency and cannot recommend it highly enough.

p.

Magnificat!
I can't believe this production of Il Ritorno D'Ulisse is so put down by the other reviewers. I enjoyed the every second of it. It's not conducted by Harnoncourt but it's very well arranged. The staging is awesome. Magnificent! Well structed, well crafted. The direction is superb and the haunting story goes flawlessly. The singers are the top notch and they look the part and are really great actors. They are also well directed, too. The costume and make-up are very well done. The video quality is quite good and the sound quality is excellent(Dolby Digital 5.1). It's a terrific production. Don't be fooled by the others and don't miss this magnificent production! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Cosi Fan Tutte
The sets are wonderful, as one expects from La Scala. There is not one weak voice in the cast. You will love Despina. What can I say? Mozart reigns.

Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.
I have listened to over 600 different opera recordings in my lifetime on video and if I had to choose a video that had the worst sound quality and the worst balance of sound recording between voices and orchestra, this would be the one. This, like many opera dvds, was not a recording produced exclusively for dvd, but rather, a dvd recording re-recorded onto vhs with added menus and special effects. Muti is an excellent conductor and the emotion sparkles in this production but my ears were left straining to hear the notes of Mozart's beautiful opera. Avoid this recording like the plague and don't say that I didn't warn you. If you want a good recording of Cosi Fan Tutti to listen to, (I'm still looking for a good video recording) buy Georg Solti's recording with Michele Pertusi singing bass. You'll love it, I promise!

Muti's Cosi
It's important to realize what we have here. A very sophisticated performance musically, full of vitality, beautiful orchestral playing, and six superb soloists in roles that suit them well. Riccardo Muti is one of the leading Mozart conductors of the day, and his perfectionist and stylish approach, serving the composer totally, is an absolute delight. The production is stylistic, and pretty to look at. The live performance has an electricity which is captivating. 10 out of 10 !

If I could rate it higher, I would.
This is a rremarkably subtle and accurate version of this difficult work. It is more than rare to see Mozart handled with impeccable taste and an obvious grasp of many of the deeper aspects of plot and score. In addition, this version boasts perfect 18th century style. Sad to see such ignorant reviews of this work.

Good performance, poor video quality
Muti's performance is acceptably"Mozartian"- and the singers do justice to the roles. The production is what one might call "opera house standard."

However, the video rendition is atrocious - perhaps the translation from European to American video standards was "too much" - the images are "jumpy" and erratic- it's distracting in the extreme. Turn off the monitor and listen to the performance. ... Read more