Kultur Puccini Collection / La Boheme, Manon Lescaut, La Fanciulla del West
La Boheme: Puccini's bittersweet opera of high-spirited bohemians and the doomed love between Rodolfo, the idealistic poet and Mimi, the consumptive flower-maker, is a beautifully balanced series of tableaux depicting the infectious joie de vivre of youth and the tragic waste of disease and separation. The legendary and incomparable partnership of Mirella Freni and Luciano Pavarotti as the two lovers has been captured in this special live recording from stage of the San Francisco Opera. Brian Large has adapted Francesca Zambello's production for video, further illuminating the fascinating interaction of Puccini's characters. Gino Quilico sings Marcello, the colorful and moody painter, whose tempestuous relationship with the flirtatious Musetta (sung by Sandra Pacetti), comically mirrors the more profound love of Rodolfo and Mimi. Nicolai Ghiaurov sings Colline. Manon Lescaut: "Manon",wrote Puccini to his publisher Giulio Ricordi in 1889, "is a heroine I believe in and therefore she cannot fail to win the heart of the public." This turned out to be a truly prophetic statement since none of Puccini's other world successes were received on their first nights as rapturously as Manon Lescaut. The popularity of Puccini's great masterpiece has never waned and the highly acclaimed Götz Freidrich production at Covent Garden was hailed as an operatic milestone. Two of the world's leading stars - Kiri Te Kanawa and Placido Domingo - head a strong cast which is conducted by the brilliant Italian composer Giuseppe Sinopoli. Also starring Thomas Allen. Sung in Italian, with subtitles available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese. Full Screen 4:3, Dolby Digital Stereo. La Fanciulla Del West: Puccini's penultimate opera, which marked a new stylish departure for him, is set at the height of the California gold rush. In this performance, Carol Neblett sings the role of Minnie, "The Girl of the Golden West," and Placido Domingo is as ignitable as ever in the role of Dick Johnson, alias the bandit, Ramirez. Also starring Silvano Carroli, Robert Lloyd, Gwynne Howell. Performed at the Royal Opera, Covent Garden, conducted by Nello Santi. Sung in Italian, with subtitles available in English, German, and Spanish. Full Screen 4:3, Dolby Digital Stereo.
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
Price Range: $48.95 - $69.95
 Kultur Puccini Collection / La Boheme, Manon Lescaut, La Fanciulla del West
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