Sherrill Milnes - DVD video

“I doubt you'll hear or see a better show: Levine, in his early prime, leads with respect for the music and the verismo tradition and whips the action into a melodramatic frenzy...Domingo sings both tenor leads tirelessly, with bite, ringing tone, sincerity and passion...this is clearly a superstar. He reacts as well as acts; of course it helps that he's opposite two blazing women co-stars...Not perfect performances, but they will leave you breathless nonetheless.” International Record Review, January 2012

“[Troyanos] is glorious...Domingo is as close to the ideal as possible...Not many tenors have the stamina to sing both Turiddu and Canio on the same evening, but Domingo has...The sound is not in the same class as the performance but is acceptable. With a well-nigh perfect Pagliacci and a slightly flawed Cavalleria rusticana this is a good buy.” MusicWeb International, August 2012

“Supremely "real" is Sherrill Milnes's performance of the title-role. He is a singing actor with natural command of the stage, and what the filming shows to most moving effect in the face, marvellously responsive, especially as the brief moments of happiness are reflected in those deep-set-eyes.” Gramophone Magazine, October 2008

“not surprisingly, Sherrill Milnes's Boccanegra is totally memorable, sung and acted completely within a believable human characterisation...Add to this the characteristic Met production values, with a superb chorus and more than excellent orchestra under the inimitable and always reliable James Levine...'Live from the Met' usually means something special, and it does here.” Penguin Guide, 2010 edition ***

“Levine's version of Luisa Miller consistently demonstrates his Verdian mastery, and not just in the best-known masterpieces...Not only in Levine's conducting but also in the sets and costumes of Nathanial Merrill's production the attractive rustic element of the piece is effectively brought out.” Penguin Guide, 2010 edition ****

“one of [Domingo's] most convincing roles” Opera

“This attractive and lively production of Puccini's Wild West opera makes the best imaginable case for it, especially the exuberant Barbara Daniels in the title role; while Domingo is at his peak, in 1992, as the nice bandit Dick Johnson.” BBC Music Magazine, October 2005

“Slatkin conducts a bitingly dramatic account...In 1992 Sherrill Milnes was still an outstanding Rance, at once handsome and sinister, while Placido Domingo is just as warmly expressive...the pretty and buxom Barbara Daniels with her bright, big soprano gives a characterful performance...Bright, clear recording, bringing out the emotional tug behind Slatkin's reading” Penguin Guide, 2010 edition ****

“this DG set is unsurpassed...The singers mime to their parts and the lip-sync.is generally impressive...With superb singing and fine acting from all concerned, and equally impressive conducting from Bartoletti, who has the New Phlharmonia on top form, this is all pretty irresistable.” Penguin Guide, 2010 edition ****

“Levine's powerful and starrily cast DVD of Aida brings a grandly traditional staging...Zajick is a vibrant, powerful Amneris,and Sherrill Milnes, only just past his peak, is a magnificent Amonasro...Levine is in his element, drawing warm and dramatic playing and singing from his formidable team at the Met.” Penguin Guide, 2010 edition ***

“One of the Met's nights of stars, with a comparatively trim Pavarotti in great voice; only Leona Mitchell slightly below par. The sets and the playing are almost too sumptuous for this early raw work.” BBC Music Magazine, February 2008 ****

“A quartet of major voices was on hand to fill the leading roles... Naturally, they gave fans of sheer vocalism a great deal to cheer about during the evening... Mr. Pavarotti gave a splendid full-throated performance... He was also a sensitive partner in the many ensemble numbers... Miss Mitchell filled the house gloriously... Mr. Milnes was a dominating force... Mr. Raimondi gave his usual solid performance, musically and dramatically... James Levine's conducting had plenty of passion and momentum” New York Times

“While all four solo performances are superb, one has only to sample the finale to Act I to discover what an electrifying team they make...If Pavarotti dominates by the sheer ardour of his singing, overall this is a totally gripping performance, unlikely to be surpassed on DVD.” Penguin Guide, 2010 edition ****