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| Starring: Cornell MacNeil, Ileana Cotrubas,
Plácido Domingo, Isola Jones, Justino Díaz, James Levine and the
Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus Directed by: Kirk Browning |
Original Performance Date: 1977
DVD Release: 2004
Released by: Deutsche GrammophonDTS
5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1, PCM stereo
Fullscreen |
Rigoletto is one of those operas,
like Madama Butterfly and La Traviata, that will forever be cemented in your
mind from the first time you see it. The stories for all three are powerful tales of
divine retribution and death of innocent virtue in the face of overwhelming callousness.
As we watch in horror, there is nothing we can do except observe the tragedy unfold.
Somehow, once you know what’s coming, it never quite feels the same.
So I am not taking lightly the following recommendation: If
you haven’t yet experienced Rigoletto, this DVD is the one to get. Oh, I could
quibble here and there. Cornell MacNeil pushes his voice to its limits too often, but I
can’t think of anyone singing the role today that would do a better job at acting
the role. Domingo has said that he doesn’t like singing the role of il Duca di
Mantova, my guess is because it is a little too despicable for his noble self-image. You
can tell it from his portrayal. We have a superb Duca treading the boards today in Ramón
Vargas, whom we will hopefully soon see on DVD. Cotrubas does a fine job with a difficult,
if sympathetic role. Conductor Levine brings force and emotion to the performance.
The picture looks fine for a 28-year-old recording and
sounds good, too, with a soundstage better than you would expect, including the contrived
surround. For once, we have an opera DVD that comes with meaningful extras, including a
fascinating interview. |
