Giordano - Andrea Chenier / Domingo, Benackova, Cappuccilli, Barbieri, Zednik, Santi, Vienna Opera

Before buying this DVD, I had never previously heard this opera in any shape or form, apart from the odd tenor aria. I am glad that I allowed curiosity to overcome ignorance, because this performance offers as much pleasure as most of the more recognizable masterpieces in the opera repertoire. Not all the credit goes to Giordano, although he deserves a good deal, not only for his competence but also for his persistence in promoting his most celebrated work against all the odds, as well narrated in the useful booklet that accompanies the disc. It is a live performance --- indeed a VERY live performance--- direct from the stage of the great Vienna Opera House, with all the charisma that this famous venue brings to any work in the medium. The camera takes full advantage of the riches available to it----- the opulent auditorium, the well-dressed audience; the open orchestra pit filled with members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra; the wide stage that allows for plenty of action ----- and with a revolution in progress every inch is needed; the fastidious fittings and costumes that match the period in its alternating grandeur and squalor; a chorus and a solid core of permanent vocal soloists that would be the envy of most other Opera Houses. Add to this the greatest tenor of the day in his prime ( Domingo as Chenier), a highly accomplished baritone in the ambivalent role of his tormentor and subsequently failed savior (Piero Capuccilli as Gerard), a vocally competent but dramatically challenged heroine( Gabriela Benackova as the heroine Madeleine), an old war-horse of a conductor( Nello Santi) parachuted in from La Scala who knows and loves the score and can raise it to a level rarely achieved ( or so I presume, or I would have heard it long before now in my 60 years of flirtation with opera), and you have the makings of a great evening of musical entertainment. The only disappointment is the raucous performance of the once-great Fedora Barbieri in the minor role of Madelon --- the first time she appeared at the Vienna State and in the death throes of her distinguished career.One reviewer has criticized the fact that the audience applause is permitted to die out naturally instead of being truncated in the interest of saving time, but I find exactly the opposite: the degree of enthusiasm shown by the usually staid burghers of Vienna, recorded in sound and camera, adds to the excitement of the occasion and reinforces the feeling that this is a truly remarkable performance. Great credit is also due to the Director, Otto Schenk, who has captured every emotional nuance of this turbulent period, handles the crowd scenes like a choreographer, and draws from his singers acting that was unknown in opera prior to the birth of the Metropolitan Live Cinecastes, with the rare exception of which this is one. Technically, it stands head and shoulders above other Opera DVDs of the early 1980's: the photography is brilliant and the sound quite stunning. There are remarkable parallels with TOSCA in the characters, story line, and musical idiom to the point where one can truly say that Puccini in his entire career never wrote a single opera that advanced beyond the artistic heights that Giordano achieved in Andrea Chenier.

Musically, I would give this DVD 5 stars, but a few problems detract from the musical excellence. First, the applause after the major arias goes on much too long. Such applause may be acceptable in the theater, but on a DVD should have been edited so it was shorter. Second, I am given the impression that the director didn't bother to read the libretto, since Benackova (Maddalene de Coigny in the opera) had dark brown hair even though the libretto described her as a blond. I have to wonder how Gerard's spy was able to find her since he was told to look for a "blue eyed blond." It is minor details like this that can make what could have been an excellent performance into one that is just very good.

Although Domingo was younger and Banackova looked more like the sweet and innocent young Madalena than the one played by Tomowa-Sintow in the ROH production, this production was not as good. It was not as tight and neat. The tempo set was far too slow for the time-period of the story. The stage setting was distracting. The lighting was too dark. Except Domingo, a natural actor who was always into his role and sings and acts with passion, none of the other performers came up with a convincing portrayal of the role he/she played. The Gerard Carpucilli portrayed was too simple and coarse. Banackova was the worst. She sang and acted in a languid fashion, which showed she had no understanding of the time-period of the story.

The best you will ever see in DVD.

What a wonderful opera! Domingo, Benackova and Cerard where magnificent in there parts. Did not care for the staging; some parts too dark; otherwise a great addition to my library.

Good quality. It was a gift.

What an enchanting performance this is. The set is adequate, the costumes are beautiful. It is a very enjoyable production. Camera/TV directing is also great. Deutsche Grammophon quality is high: excellent audio and video, six languages subtitle. Packaging comes with a booklet.

A terrifc performance by a fabulous cast. An opera lover will love the performance.

Si tratta di una rappresentazione tenutasi nel Teatro dell'Opera di Vienna negli anni '80, quando Domingo era all'apice del suo splendore: bello e bravo! Basta dire che solo gli applausi a scena aperta dopo "Un di all'azzurro spazio" durano qualche minuto.Oltre a Domingo, non meno bravo, c'è un favoloso Cappuccilli nel ruolo di Gerard.Scenografie ricche, senza risparmio, come si poteva fare negli anni '80.Uno spettacolo completo in tutte le sue forme, interpreti eccezionali. Ve lo consiglio.

Ich finde diese Produktion des Andrea Chénier an der Wiener Staatsoper eine der besten, wenn nicht sogar die beste unter denen, die man als Dvd kaufen kann.Sowohl der Dirigent, als auch vor allem die Sängen stellen das beste von dem dar, das man in jenen Jahren der Opernwelt zur Verfügung stand.Dazu ist die Regie und Inszenierung von Otto Schenk sehr sehr schön.

Ottimo DVD senza essere un Blu ray, cantanti nel massimo delle loro performance, Placido Domingo giovane con una voce incomparabile, Cappuccilli grande baritono nella parte di Gerard infine fantastica interprete di Maddalena, Gabriela Benackova. un soprano da 10 lode + bacio accademico! Da non perdere visto anche rapporto qualità prezzo.

COME ESPRESSO NEL TITOLO, LA BELLA VOCE DI PLACIDO DOMINGO CONTRIBUISCE IN MODO SIGNIFICATIVO AL SIGNIFICATO DELL'OPERA, INSOMMA, SEMBRA ESSERE STATA SCRITTA PER ESSERE INTERPRETATA DA LUI.

Bien que l'image soit un peu déformée (tassée) cet opéra que je ne connaissais pas vraiment à part " la mamma morta" m'a beaucoup séduite et je ne me lasse pas de l'entendre et de le voir.Placido Domingo est au mieux de sa voix, l'émotion est là je me suis laissée emportée dès la première écoute.