DVD Videos

“Muti conducts with real assurance. Pacing the drama magnificently, it is on performances like these that the controversial Maestro has made his well-deserved musical reputation. Tell emerges as a masterpiece from first to last... Ensembles are a consistent joy – just try the finale of Act 1 – thanks to Muti's clear direction and the superb choral forces. This is a superb DVD...Do try to experience this treat.” MusicWeb International

“the finest recording of Il barbiere since the famous Callas/Gobbi set on CD...Maria Ewing is an absolutely delightful Rosina, her prettiness matching her coquettish charm and superb vocal bravura...All told, a marvellous cast, superb singing, and sparklingly stylish orchestra playing...make this 1981 Glyndebourne recording a set to treasure.” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition

“We've cursed modern producers and their productions often enough, but here's a delight. The conductor, working with his own edition of the opera, is Alberto Zedda. But when the director and designer, Dario Fo, takes the last, climatic bow, he deserves every cheer he gets.
The performance was filmed at the Netherlands Opera in 1991, but the production dates back to 1987, and was Fo's first for the operatic stage. Employing a group of mime artists, he places the action in a commedia dell'arte setting and opens with a brilliant pantomime-accompaniment to the overture. The ideas match the music, and the visual style suits the elegance of Zedda's orchestral players. Throughout the opening solos, chorus and duet, a delightful ingenuity of movement plays along with the singers, who have the youth and elasticity of voice, limb and spirit to cope with the thousandand- one tasks thrown at them. There's very little sense of distraction or overloading; just a feast of melody, wit and energy.
The tenor Robert Croft impresses most: his tone is clear; his scales are fluent and evenly articulated, and he can apply vocal decoration with panache and delicacy. The Figaro, another American, David Malis, has personality and bright high notes. Jennifer Larmore's Rosina, better when seen than merely heard, is strongvoiced and technically accomplished. Renato Capecchi is a memorable Bartolo, distinct from the potbellied bumbler of convention.
In the theatre the production might be found too restless, but, expertly filmed, it's just about the most enjoyable comic opera production available on DVD.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

“Campanella conducts very spiritedly and visually the production could not be more winning; and the camera placing is a great credit to Brian Large.” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition