Amateur recording
Merksamer Israel | 05/15/2006
(2 out of 5 stars)
"A wonderful score beautifully performed, but recorded to less than home-video standards.
Although an early opera, this is, in my opinion, one of Rossini`s finest scores. It has an abundance of melodies rarely encountered anywhere.As can be judged from the very poor recording, the performance was indeed very good.
The picture is hazy, all colours fading into a yellowish-brown.
The sound begins very badly, and actually gets worse as the opera progresses. I think that such sub-standard recordings should not be encouraged by the public, I`m really sorry I boght it...
5 stars for the music and performance, zero for technical quality."
But the music is beautiful
Dr. John W. Rippon | Florida | 03/31/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Yes the color is hazy, yes the sound fades in an out, yes the camera is unsteady and odd effects occur but! But the music is beautiful, it's splendid, it's one great aria, duet or chorus after another, it's Rossini in top form. The cast is excellent in this recording. Lella Cuberli is a magestic Elizabeth. Her solo arias are rendered with precision and heft. In the "Fellon, la pena avrai" she positively melts the others with the flame in her voice. Then gives a Bette Davis flick of the wrist to jangle her bracelets in an imperious underlining of her anger. Wow! what high drama! Then comes the beautiful resolution of the opera with "Fuggi amor". This is a wonderful satisfying opera.
The costumes and scenery are an "empire" style with gold, white and pale blue to an almost Rococo effect. Inappropriate yes, but it is fun to watch. Since there is no other DVD available, this is worth the price for such a wonderful piece of Rossini."