Gaetano Donizetti - La Fille du regiment / Dessay, Florez, Palmer, Corbelli, French, Campanella, Pelly (Royal Opera House 2007)

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Starring: Natalie Dessay, Juan Diego Florez, Felicity Palmer, Alessandro Corbelli, Dawn French

Director: Laurent Pelly

MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: Virgin Classics

Running Time: 127 minutes

Format: Color, NTSC

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1

Amazon.com Sales Rank: 453

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Reviews

Best version -	Gaetano Donizetti Review


I regard this version as superior to the one with Ciofi because Dessay is in fact a better singer than Ciofi. Florez needs no introduction since he is the reigning light lyric tenor today. Some complain that his voice has a "nasal" quality but in fact that is simply one of its unique identifying features. Most very great singers had uncommon voices, perhaps even ones with a few "defects", that served to make them unique. Callas for example, and Melchior. There are lots of voices with nothing distinctive about them, but Florez is not in that group, fortunately. No praise is too high for his art or his unique vocal instrument.

Fantastic!!! -	Gaetano Donizetti Review


I Just watched the live HD Performance from the Met...This is the same production and the jokes are the same but you just can't keep smiling (laughing) this is a really good comedy. More operas buffas should be done like this. Highly reccomended. The price is a great bargain...

From Covent Garden: The same production and cast that has come to The Met -	Gaetano Donizetti Review


It's hard to write about this Covent Garden production without comparing it to the Teatro Carlo Felice production from 2005 which is also on DVD and features Juan Diego Florez. (In fact, both productions are updated to one of our 20th Century "World Wars," this one to WWI, the Teatro Carlo Felice production to WWII.) So, I'll compare the two since some readers may just want to buy one of them. I gave the other five stars and this one four, but I wouldn't make the choice on that basis alone. If you want to see what played at The Met in the spring of 2008, or if Natalie Dessay is one of your favorite performers, this is the DVD to buy. Juan Diego Florez sings spectacularly in both productions. In this production, he does not encore "Ah, mes amis," so you'll have to do with just nine of his thrillingly precise high C's. However, I think he's more relaxed at Covent Garden, having added two years to his onstage experience. Patrizia Ciofi of the Teatro Carlo Felice production cannot compete with Natalie Dessay as a comic actress. Beverly Sills called the role of Marie, "Lucille Ball with high notes." That describes Dessay's performance perfectly. Her high notes are indeed the highlight of her singing and her comic antics are a delight to watch. As I wrote in my review of the Teatro Carlo Felice production, Ciofi is not a natural comedienne. But, in my opinion, the singing of the lesser known Ciofi is superior to that of her compatriot. Ciofi's voice is more varied in tone and more textured. She creates a more operatic Marie. To me, Dessay's Marie, delightful though she is, is more the stuff of musical comedy. The Teatro Carlo Felice production gives the relationship between Sulpice and the Marquise a flirtatious turn. It adds a lot to their otherwise rather dull roles (dull compared to other supporting roles in Donizetti comedies, such as Dr. Dulcamara and Giannetta in "L'Elisir d'Amore"). Finally, the Teatro Carlo Felice production comes with a second DVD devoted to behind-the-scenes material that is as good as it gets. (I describe it in detail in my review of the Teatro Carlo Felice production.) There are several reasons you might prefer this production to the Teatro Carlo Felice of 2005 even though I think the other is of higher quality overall. First, the Covent Garden production is the same production and the same cast (except for the speaking role of the Duchess of Crackentorp) that played at The Met this spring and was shown in movie theaters around the world. So, if you want to see that Met production, this is the DVD to buy. (Of course, Covent Garden features a different chorus, orchestra, and conductor.) Secondly, if you love Natalie Dessay, I recommend this production over Teatro Carlo Felice. I thought the Teatro Carlo Felice production had more to offer: the encored "Ah, mes amis," the superior singing of Patrizia Ciofi, the delightful relationship that develops between Sulpice and the Marquise, and finally, that bonus DVD. You can't go wrong with either production.

Amazing -	Gaetano Donizetti Review


I just saw the Metropolitan HD live simulcast of La Fille du Regiment yesterday and simply can't get over Nathalie Dessay's performance. Her physical comedy is fabulous and what is truly astounding is how well she sings while being so physically active (non-stop) on stage. She was a joy to watch. Florez was also wonderful.

All-star entertainment -	Gaetano Donizetti Review


One sits down to watch this DVD with very high expectations, given the stellar cast of Dessay, Florez, Corbelli and Palmer. And one would not be disappointed. Laurent Pelly's production is highly entertaining stuff. There is almost always something for the eye to enjoy. He makes the most of every comic moment and obviously demands a lot from his singers, especially the amazing Dessay, who has to be one of the most physically and vocally fearless artists performing today. She is a delightful Marie, tomboyish, quicksilver in mood and movement. Technically, she seems undaunted by any of the demands Donizetti has written (and those he didn't write), and the results are rather mixed (one wishes for more legato in cantabile moments, less pressure at the top of the staff when singing anything louder than mezzo-piano), but her overall perfomance is so charming, one can forgive her these shortcomings. I must admit, this was my first encounter with Florez, and I have to say in all honesty that I've heard voices of more extraordinary beauty (although his is certainly pleasing), and his frequent sharpness of intonation in this particular performance is disconcerting; but since viewing this DVD, I did see the live HD transmission from the Met, and it would seem that sharpness is not a usual characteristic of his technique. His sometimes rapid vibrato may not be to everyone's taste. But he's obviously very musical, and shapes phrases with elegance and sensitivity. Corbelli and Palmer essay their roles admirably and with their customary comic flair, but one has come to expect this from two such fine and seasoned artists. Dawn French, in the non-singing role of La Duchesse, provokes guffaws of "Olympic" proportions (that's an inside joke; you have to watch the DVD to get it). The wonderful ROH orchestra is led by bel canto veteran Bruno Campanella, who moves things along briskly; yet he allows the more lyrical passages satisfying breadth, which provides welcome moments of respite in this fizzy cocktail of a piece. All in all, this performance is sure to beguile two and a quarter hours of your time--well worth the price of admission.

Gaetano Donizetti - La Fille du regiment / Dessay, Florez, Palmer, Corbelli, French, Campanella, Pelly (Royal Opera House 2007)

							May 13, 2008


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