Search - Rossini: Il Barbiere Di Siviglia [Blu-ray] on Blu-ray

Excellent Wide-Screen Production

C. Fischer | Bloomington, IN United States | 11/14/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Amazon's current listing of the aspect ratio as 1.33:1 is INCORRECT. Like all Blu-Ray productions (that aren't of classic films) Decca's new opera productions on Blu-Ray are 16:9 (or 1.85:1) and anamorphic (according to Ken of the Decca Music Group.

"

A Stunning Production on All Levels

Brian Wrangham | Ottawa, Ontario Canada | 02/08/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This production is a joy to behold. The singing (especially that of Juan Diego Fiorez and Maria Bayo) is topnotch all the way through and the musical direction under Gianluigi Gelmetti leaves nothing to be desired. For me, the stunning picture and DTS Master Audio sound track make this one of the best high-definition discs I have bought to date. The camera work is exemplary and ranks among the best to date as far as an opera is concerned -- it ranks with that of the English video director, Brian Large, one of the best in the world for many years.

I have two minor criticisms however - one concerns the staging and the other, the English subtitles. The staging is a little bizarre at times and tends to create confusion for the viewer and also distracts from what is happening on stage. In one scene in particular the entire stage rises, revealing more chorus on the lower level - this, I feel, is one of the few mismanaged scenes in the production. Regarding the subtitles, they become practically impossible to read in many spots, especially when they are overlaid on a light as opposed to a dark scene. The subtitles definitely need to be adjusted for much greater readability."

A Staggering Tour-de-Force

Russell Low | San Francisco | 02/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Blu-ray of Rossini's most popular opera is brilliant in every way: imaginative production, exuberant acting, buoyant conducting, and above all, stupendous singing, particularly from star tenor Juan Diego Florez, who steals the show whenever he's on stage (which is a lot of the time). The stagecraft is inventive and always eye-catching--I loved the concept of going from near-monochrome at the beginning to blazing color at the end. The singing is on a high level all around, and the ensemble work (extremely important in this opera) is pitch-perfect. Oddly enough, baritone Pietro Spagnoli as Figaro has his weakest moment in 'Largo al factotum' (one of opera's most famous arias), which is a slight disappointment, but he gets stronger as the opera goes on, and his effervescent charm is a delight throughout. As Bartolo, Bruno Pratico plays up the buffo aspects of his role to terrific effect. Maria Bayo's sweet, slender voice makes for a beguiling Rosina. And what more to say of Juan Diego Florez? His peformance is simply jaw-droppingly sensational here, easily showing why he's the leading bel canto tenor today (and perhaps of all time). His performance alone is reason enough to acquire this disc.



The picture quality of this disc (1080i/60) is vivid and sharp--one of the very best I've seen on this format--and the stereo PCM audio track is full and well-defined. (I didn't listen to the DTS-MA track.) Together with Decca's equally sensational Blu-ray of 'Carmen', these make an auspicious hi-def debut for the label. More, please!"

Musically Superb, Gimmicky Staging

Ben Franklin | USA | 07/06/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Others have covered the musical aspects well so I will stick to the production. I think it was influenced by the Dario Fo staging Rossini - Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) / Dario Fo, Zedda, Larmore, Croft, Netherlands Opera. I wish the latter was available in blu-ray/wide screen because the commedia dell'arte was so much better done. In the Madrid production, I was also bothered by:



1. The silliness of the multi-period costumes and props (flashlights and wigs).



2. The mostly black and white visual experience until it bursts into color in the last scene. What was the point?



3. The superficial documentary. They had Flórez sitting at a piano. Can he really play? Why didn't he demonstrate how he chooses the ornaments he adds so as to conform to the harmony?



This was only the second opera blu-ray I've seen but I'll make a preliminary judgment. The visual advantage is most apparent in full stage scenes. In ordinary DVDs, individuals tend to get blurry when not viewed close up. The lossless sound, DTS-MA in this case, was slightly clearer than what you hear on recent ordinary DTS tracks."