Boito - Mefistofele / Arena, Ramey, Benackova, San Francisco Opera

Boito - Mefistofele / Arena, Ramey, Benackova, San Francisco Opera | Samuel Ramey, Gabriela Benacková | The Definitive Staging of an Ethereal Opera!

DVDs:

Boito - Mefistofel...

	Boito - Mefistofele / Arena, Ramey, Benackova, San Francisco Opera Samuel Ramey, Gabriela Benacková Kultur Video, 2001 average customer review:based on 17 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Samuel Ramey won overwhelming critical acclaim for his performance in the San Francisco Opera's production of Boito's adaptation of Goethe's classic conflict of good versus evil, under the baton of Maurizio Arena.

Samuel Ramey: Mefistofele
Dennis O'Neill: Faust
Daniel Harper: Wagner
Emily Manhart: Pantalis
Douglas Wunsch: Nereo
Gabriela Benacková: Margherita/Elena
Judith Christin: Marta

Sam Ramey is superb!

Sam Ramey is one of the greatest bass-baritones and Boito's Mefistofele is one of the roles which is rightfully associated with him by most opera enthusiasts. His performance is reason enough to purchase this DVD. The music is stunningly beautiful and this production from The San Francisco Opera is original and theatrical with a good cast. It has deservedly enjoyed broad acclaim from both audiences and critics.

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The Definitive Staging of an Ethereal Opera!

We should all be grateful for the tenacity of Arrigo Boito.After a disasterous debut,he reworked "Mefistofele" into the masterpiece we enjoy today.I own 2 copies of the opera on cd.The Rudel production with Treigle,Domingo& Caballe as the principles.The Gavazzeni production with Ghiaurov,Bergonzi& Kabaivanska as the principals
"Mefistofele" is grand opera at its grandest.From prologue to epilogue,it is a feast for the eyes and ears.The antics at the Easter celebration may raise an eyebrow or two but hang in there. Samuel Ramey was born to play Mefistofele. He is at his zenith in this performance.His voice had to have shook the rafters of the enormous War Memorial.Gabriela Benakova was wonderful in the dual roles of Margherita and Elena. Dennis O'Neill,whom I was not familiar with,possesses an instrument of great beauty as well.
This is fast becoming my favorite opera.The salvation of Faust in the epilogue is the most beautiful ending in all of opera.This opera is not performed enough today. I'm spearheading a move to have it returned to the regular roster.Buy this DVD today!!!

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Wondrous

In voice, physique, and bearing, Ramey is simply the perfect Mefistofele. After him, it's the chorus that stars, and when Ramey and the chorus get together in the amazing Witches' Sabbath, with the devil in a tailcoat furiously conducting the revellers, it's unforgettable. This is simply a beautiful production, well worth owning even if some of Boito's music is not first-rate. I subtract a star for an unconvincing Faust and a mediocre image with an unacceptable level of motion blur.

A must-buy for admirers of Samuel Ramey

I have to agree with all the superlatives in the earlier reviews. One has to ask oneself WHY the opera is so compelling. The music is, well pedestrian would be a kind description. Still, I have to confess I went to the New York City opera's production of this (with Mr. Ramey in the title role) three times in a month.

The opera seems to be close to Mr. Ramey's heart. In many other operas he comes across as "wooden". In this one his acting matches his voice. He is totally involved in his role. I particularly appreciate his acting once he has sent Faust on an aerial voyage on his magic cloak.

This production is terrific. I have to echo the reveiwer who commented on the excellence of the chorus. I have only a few minor quibbles, hence the four rather than five stars. I did not care for the staging of the Walpurgisnacht scene, it should be a witches Sabbath and not a New Year's eve party. Also, in the final scene, Faust should be depicted as an old man.

Finally, as someone who loves the Italian language, but does not know it well, I am FURIOUS that there are no Italian subtitles. That could hardly have posed any difficulty. Arrigo Boito had already done the necessary groundwork.

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Not Quite

I had previously seen a Samuel Ramey Mefistofele video, but apparently it was not the one I purchased. The lengthy overture is a boring panning of the cherubs hanging in the opera house, not the one I had originally seen, which showed the living spirits on stage.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4

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