Search - Gianni Schicchi [Blu-ray] on Blu-ray

Blu-ray disc is up to the high standards set by Opus Arte.

M. Silver | New York, USA | 01/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Opus Arte offers two similar yet quite different operas - Puccini's Gianni Schicchi and Rachmaninov's The Miserly Knight. While the former is playful, energetic, yet dark and critical of post-war Italy the latter is gloomy, brooding, and even darker. The two operas are terrifically staged under the supervision of Annabel Arden and London Philharmonic conductor Vladimir Jurowski. As expected the video treatment here is very strong. Contrast is convincing, clarity and detail excellent. Talking about Sound, PCM surround sound track is obviously the preferable option here as it is more expansive and with greater depth, the orchestra isn't lost in the back and the singers unnaturally brought forward, on the contrary, the sound is homogeneous and adequately mixed. The individual parts come off the speakers with a nice clarity which should definitely please those familiar with Puccini's expressive style. In Rachmaninov's opera on the other hand the long arias carry a distinctively dark flavor which is certainly detectable with the strong audio mix.

Highly Recommended.

"

A real operatic bargain

John Chandler | Melbourne, Australia | 11/08/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Gianni Schicchi and the Dark Knight are at first sight an unlikely couple but the booklet explains why they have been linked. Schicchi is now a very popular black comedy but the knight's tale is really grim. The music however is pure Rachmaninov and well worth repeat listening. Both operas are very well staged and the Opus Arte presentation is excellent apart from the cover art. One would hardly know the Miserly Knight was included! This is silly as what appears to be a one opera disc is so much more attractive when one discovers it combines the previous two DVD release in a superb blu ray disc. Get it! A wonderful Christmas disc to match the joy of Schicchi, with the Knight more in tune with current economic times!"