Aria:
30th Anniversary Edition (1987/Lightyear Entertainment
Blu-ray)/Andrea Andermann: 3 Live Films: Tosca in Rome / La
Traviata in Paris / Rigoletto in Mantua Limited Deluxe Edition
(Blu-ray Box set)/Bruckner: Symphony No. 6 in A major/Thielmann
(C Major Blu-ray)/Handel: Alcina/Tamerlano (Alpha Blu-ray
Set)/Rafael Frubeck de Burgos Conducts the Danish Symphony
Orchestra (Dacapo Records Blu-ray Box Set/all concerts Naxos
Blu-ray releases)
Picture:
B+/B/B/B/B+ Sound: B+/B/B/B/B+ Extras: C/B/D/D/B Main
Programs: B/B/B/B/B+
We
bring together our latest opera, ballet and classical symphonic
releases with the restored reissue of a multi-director fan favorite
feature film that offers much from that universe...
Aria
Ten
diverse filmmakers come together in the anthology Aria
(1987) that centers around the interpretation of Opera through
cinema. Celebrating this unique vision is stunning cinematography
and direction that should be seen in film schools across the country
as an example of unhinged filmmaking at its finest. These directors
were given complete creative freedom to interpret the music as they
so fit and the results are staggering.
The
breakdown for the Directors and their segments are as follows: Robert
Altman (segment Les
Boreades),
Bruce Beresford (segment Die
tote Stadt),
Bill Bryden (segment I
pagliacci),
Jean-Luc Godard (segment Armide),
Derek Jarman (segment Depuis
le jour),
Franc Roddam (segment Liebestod),
Nicolas Roeg (segment Un
ballo in maschera),
Ken Russell (segment Nessun
dorma),
Charles Sturridge (segment La
virgine degli angeli),
and Julien Temple (segment Rigoletto).
Actors
that star in the segments include such names as John Hurt, Tilda
Swinton, Bridget Fonda, Theresa Russell, Buck Henry, Beverly
D'Angelo, and Anita Morris to name a few.
Presented
in 1080p high definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1 and
a great sounding, though lossy Dolby Stereo 2.0 track, the film looks
and even sounds fantastic on Blu-ray disc with stunning detail in the
sets and costume design that definitely make this film worth checking
out.
Special
Feature: Still Gallery featuring stills from world-class
photographers including Annie Lebovitz, Lord Snowdon, David Bailey,
and John Swannell.
If
you're a fan of opera or like edgy and offbeat filmmaking, then you
will want to check out this interesting anthology film that is a very
interesting look at the artform through visual storytelling.
Andrea
Andermann: 3 Live Films: Tosca in Rome / La Traviata in Paris /
Rigoletto in Mantua
If
you're strictly an fan of Opera, then you will want to track down
this limited edition boxset of three Andrea
Andermann
productions. The shows include Tosca
in Rome,
La
Traviata in Paris,
and Rigoletto
in Mantua.
These three unique productions were performed at the actual places
and hours of the day in Paris, Mantua, and Rome.
To
keep up with this authenticity, the performers were live on location
while conductor Zubin Mehta and the orchestra performed miles away in
a studio, connected to the singers only by monitors and hidden
speakers, which helped give a more unique feel and involved some of
the most complex audio-visual operations ever attempted in the Opera.
The results really speak for themselves as these have been awarded
Emmy, Prix d'Italia and Bafta awards name just a few.
The
casts include Placido Domingo, Julia Novikova, Vittorio Grigolo,
Ruggero Raimondi, Catherine Malfitano, Jose Cura and Eteri Gvazava.
The Cinematography is by the legendary Vittorio Storaro.
All
free films are presented in 1080p high definition with a widescreen
aspect ratio of 1.78:1 and audio tracks in both lossless DTS-HD MA
(Master Audio) 5.1 and Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks to choose from.
Since it is an opera there are subtitles in various languages that
you can choose. These shows are a bit more cinematic then usual when
great looking cinematography that make you feel like you're watching
a movie more than watching a show play out on a stage, which is
interesting.
Special
Features include the Collectible Box Set packaging and a built-in,
160-page book provides background information on the productions,
plus a lavish and art photo collection.
A
beautiful and interesting set of Operas, this is a set that will go
on the records books as being vast and interesting.
Bruckner:
Symphony No. 6 in A major
Beautifully
shot and performed, Bruckner's classical sensation lands on disc in
grand fashion, led by Christian Thielemann (a favorite on this site),
at the podium. This Autumn 2015 performance of the Sixth Symphony of
Bruckner is for the opening concert at Dresden's historic Semperoper,
which marked yet another Bruckner triumph for Dresden Staatskapelle
Orchestra.
I've
always been a fan of classical and its great to see a nice
performance such as this one on disc. For anyone who has ever
performed in an orchestra, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication
which is evident here in the amazing musical performances.
The
show is presented in a 1080i high definition transfer with a 1.78:1
widescreen aspect ratio and a crystal clear, lossless DTS-HD Master
Audio 5.0 track that brings the orchestra to life on your home
surround system.
No
extras except for a nice insert booklet.
Handel:
Alcina/Tamerlano
Part
of the Alpha Classics label, this great two disc set is sure to
please Opera lovers that want to relive the magic of the stage at
home featuring two works by George Frideric Handel. The shows
include Alcina,
which is directed by Stephan Aube (the title character is haunted by
lovers from her past, et al) and Tamerlano,
which is directed by Myriam Hoyer (the title emperor in 1402 deals
with the Ottoman Empire and a mix of melodramatic relationships).
Christophe
Rousset and his orchestra convey exceptional fervor in this music,
here served by some of the most Handelian voices imaginable including
Sandrine Piau. Other stars include Jeremy Ovenden, Ann Hallenberg,
Sophie Karthauser, Delphine Galou and Christophe Dumaux.
If
you a fan of Handel then you will most defiantly want to check out
this gorgeously shot performance, which is captured in 1080i with a
1.78:1 widescreen aspect ratio that looks and sounds fine on disc
with a 2.0 stereo mix that captures the music quality fine.
No
extras, however the packaging is quite nice and a very nice booklet
with tons of linear notes with full color photos is included that
will be a great guide as you watch the show.
Rafael
Frubeck de Burgos Conducts the Danish Symphony Orchestra
This
fascinating collection of extraordinary classical performances
features the works of Beethoven (Symphonies
1 - 9),
Berlioz (Symphone
fantastique),
Strauss (Eine
Alpensinfonie),
and Rodrigo (Concierto
de Aranjuez)
as performed by the Danish Symphony Orchestra. Conducted by the
late, renowned Principal and Maestro Rafael Frubeck de Burgos (who
left us in 2014), this highly collectible new box set is a must for
any Classical Music fan.
You'll
feel like you're in the front row seat when watching this beautifully
photographed collection of soothing melodies. As stated this is some
of the maestro's most impressive work and one can really see the
dedication and perfection these musicians have for their craft.
Disc
1 - Beethoven Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21 (1799/1800)
Symphony
No. 2 in D major, Op. 36 (1801-1802)
Symphony
No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55 'Eroica' (1803-1805)
Symphony
No. 4 in B-flat major, Op. 60 (1806)
Disc
2 - Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 (1804-1808)
Symphony
No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 'Pastoral' (1808)
Symphony
No. 7 in A major, Op. 92 (1811-12)
Symphony
No. 8 in F major, Op. 93 (1812)
Disc
3 - Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 'Choral' (1822-1824)
Rodrigo:
Concierto de Aranjuez (1939)
Berlioz:
Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14 (1830)
Strauss:
Eine Alpensinfonie (An Alpine Symphony), Op. 64 (1911-1915)
The
program is presented in full 1080p with a 1.78:1 widescreen aspect
ratio and a decent-sounding 2.0 PCM stereo track and a great lossless
DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that both capture the beautiful sounds of
music perfectly on your home entertainment system. Typically
programs like this are presented in 1080i so I was happily surprised
to the sharper detail of 1080p.
Special
Features...
-
100-page booklet with an extensive essay by Danish composer and
writer Karl Aage Rasmussen, who authoritatively takes the reader
through Beethoven's nine Symphonies. The built-in book is presented
in four languages; English and Danish as well as de Burgos' own
languages German and Spanish.
-
Beautiful packaging (see the image with this review).
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
