Puccini: Edgar [Blu-ray]

Oct 29, 2010 14:57:51

Get Special Offer!

Product Overviews

Original rediscovered Puccini Opera! A fake death, a perverse woman and a pure woman, a man torn between them, a murder: the story of Edgar, Giacomo Puccini's second opera, is full of dramatic turns of events. Arthaus Musik presents this powerful and tragic opera now in a version which was count for lost for nearly 120 years. For the fi rst time the original version in four acts of Edgar by Giacomo Puccini was staged at the Teatro Regio in Turin in 2008. Thanks to the rediscovery of the manuscript score, after 119 years since the fi rst and only performance in Milan in 1889 and after numerous versions condensing the opera in three acts, it will be again possible to experience the original opera that Puccini wrote. It was only when the American Puccini expert Linda B. Fairtile began reconstructing the original orchestration of the almost 40-minute fi nal act that the composer's granddaughter, Simonetta Puccini, came up with the intact score. José Cura, acclaimed all over the world for his intense interpretations, is Edgar. His rich and brilliant tenor voice, together with his fascinating stage presence, make him one of the most charismatic and sought-after artists in the world. With him, two prima donnas, two artists of great charm and with skyrocketing careers: the Italian soprano Amarilli Nizza and the Russian mezzo-soprano Julia Gertseva.

Puccini: Edgar [Blu-ray] Reviews By Customers

Before going any further, I would suggest you read the extensive and thorough review by G.P. Padillo for the DVD release of this performance. He has gone into great detail and provides an excellent outline of the opera and its history. I am writing this review, due to some differences in perception of the work and its performance.

It has been stated, in other sources, that Puccini lacked the ability to handle the drama of a story such as Edgar. In fact, the fault lies with the libretto by Ferdinando Fontana, as the story of Edgar bears weaknesses and some degree of illogicality in its structure. In the total perspective of the complete four act work that has now been returned to us, Puccini has provided an opera with a relatively good dramatic arc, and an opera that contains a good complement of attractive arias, an especially beautiful duet, and a large quota of excellent and appealing chorus work.

As other reviews have stated, the performance does not commence well. I would not say it takes the entire first act for everyone to get into their stride, but it takes a good 20 minutes at the least, and this includes the strings, which is a body that could be better coordinated in these early stages. But it all settles down into quite excellent performances from all soloists (I suspect it was recorded at one performance, rather than the usual two or three, allowing editing together the best sections). In this fairly lengthy work, it is well worthwhile putting up with the shaky start for all that follows.

The work starts slowly, sounding to me initially as if it could be more in the vein of "Rondine" , but Puccini manages his flawed libretto and progressively builds the dramatic intensity and flow of the opera, reaching a powerful and moving conclusion to what proves to be a quite dramatic work. After the shaky beginnings, all of the artists, as mentiond, perform well, with José Cura outstanding in his lead role as Edgar. Special mention should also go to the chorus. This work is laden with quite a lot of chorus singing, and the chorus members are very well up to the demands of the work -- something important for this opera if it is going to "come off".

Whilst I might look forward to a production with slightly higher standards in most departments, all aspects here are sufficiently good to give a competent presentation of a work that we have been denied for far too long.

On the technical side, both lighting, photography and editing seemed to speak more of a film background rather than recording stage productions, but while giving a different look, this aspect did not spoil the production in any way for me. There are a few Blu--ray releases that have a marginally sharper image, but this is still in the very good class. Sound, which is also of a high standard, is available in PCM stereo, as well as DTS--HD Master Audio 7.1. Image is 16:9.

So, as I said, while we may wish for a production at a slightly higher standard, after much reflection, I gave five stars as the production shows a well-unified concept, providing a worthwhile performance of an opera none of us has ever seen, yet should never have been lost. Despite the faults, when the performance came to an end, my immediate reaction was that I wanted to watch it all over again straight away. If you love Puccini, then buy this, forgive it its weaknesses, considering its entirety rather than picking at odd places. I think if viewed and listened to in this way, that is, as the complete work, rather than the sum of its parts, you will be very pleased to have it added to your collection.

Very good - F. Castilho -

I've learned not to expect of the current singers the performance of the singers from decades past. Lack passion! Taking this in consideration,
this is a wonderful recording, well sung and very suitable production.

Read Full Reviews!