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Disc Title: La Rondine
Disc catalog: Arthaus Recording Date: 2008 Program Length: 106 mins A live Teatro Fenice Di Venezia Production
Video rating: 5/5 Audio type: PCM Stereo, DTS HD Master Audio 7.1 Audio rating: 5/5
Overall rating: 3.5/5
Summary comment: Not one of Puccini's best compositions, but capably and colourfully produced.
Author: Tassie Devil Date: April 11 2010
Detailed Comment: I notice many others who have reviewed this production are critical of the singing but that is a little unfair as the music they had to perform did not give much opportunity for great emotional intensity. In that context I feel the cast did quite a good job and managed to bring some drama to the finale.
My initial reaction to this opera was to regard it as trite with more operetta traits than operatic ones and taking a real imagination stretch to regard it as a lyric comedy. First up I condemned it as not very good but, on reacquaintance and reflection have reconsidered and now classify it as an interesting, although not great addition to the collection.
The music certainly has a Puccini ring to it but you are unlikely to find any arias from it in many other operatic selections. That is not to imply it is completely lacking appeal, or the production is completely without merit, but it is definitely not up to the standard of his better known works.
Projecting it into more modern times works well, although some of the props were a little over done for me. But the costuming was very colourful with appropriate lighting, all accompanied very nicely by the Orchestra and chorus of the Teatro La Fenice. As usual the audio and video quality is superb and did make the experience more satisfying.
However I cannot really recommend this production unless you are a particular fan of Puccini.
Edited by Tassie Devil, 11 April 2010 - 03:34 PM.
