3 replies to this topic

[Tassie Devil]

Disc Title: Zoroastre Disc catalog: Opus Arte OA BD7014D Recording Date:  2005 Live from The Drottningham Theatre  Program Length: Opera 162 mins + extras 65 mins

Video rating : 5/5 Audio type: PCM 2.0 & PCM 5.0 No mention of HD audio or bitrates Audio rating: 5/5

Overall rating: 5/5

Summary comment: One of the earliest operas ever written given a brilliant stage production plus superb singing and orchestration.

Author: Tassie Devil Date: October 5 2009

Detailed Comment: Basically the story of the opera centres around the tussle between good and evil, the good being personified in Zoroastre with his love for Amelite and the evil in the sorceror Abramante allied to Erinice, the sister of Amelite who also desires Zorostrate but is vengeful because of rejection.  
Rameau was 66 when he composed this piece and it reflects his maturity with its sensuous and cleverly designed music.  There are layers of interpretation which are easy to miss but the excellent one hour documentary gives a great introduction and should be viewed first, something I failed to do and so became somewhat perplexed about what was going on.  Unfortunately the accompanying booklet gives no written synopsis, an unfortunate omission as the 4 minute verbal description is next to useless. I extracted one from the net and it helped to explain what was going on.
The singing is uniformly excellent with appropriate costuming and excellent lighting to make the production very attractive.
Rameau was a contemporary of Bach and Handel so if you like their music then this is a must for your collection and one which I will return to again.  I'm purchasing the CD set featuring William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, et al. and this will add to further enjoyment of this delightful work.
Unreservably recommended.

[pietro]

I agree, this is fantastic. One of the best BDs I have in my collection. My only reservation is that I find the overhead shots pointless.

[Tassie Devil]

pietro, on Oct 6 2009, 11:05 AM, said:

I agree, this is fantastic. One of the best BDs I have in my collection. My only reservation is that I find the overhead shots pointless.

Yes they were pointless but thankfully there were very few of them.

The other "trick" on some of these lately is to occasionally switch the subtitles up top to make them easier to read.  While appreciating that motive the alternative, and much better idea IMO, is to use white or yellow lettering with black surround on each letter.  This is very effective.

But these are niggles.  What we can appreciate in the home these days is very gratifying, particularly for fans like myself who have little hope of ever seeing a good live event like these on disc.

John

[pietro]

upliply09, on Dec 9 2009, 02:33 PM, said:

Hmm.  Might do better in the pictures thread.  Nice video.  EUR279 for an Opera?  Hmm.

??????????????????