Verdi/Vespri Siciliani [Import]
![Verdi/Vespri Siciliani [Import]](/images/detail/208614000/208614226.jpg "Verdi/Vespri Siciliani [Import]")
I Vespri Siciliani ("The Sicilian Vespers") dates from 1855, immediately after the composition of Verdi's three most popular operas, Rigoletto, Il trovatore and La traviata. It marks a crucial stage in his artistic development but has not been very popular for various reasons: it was composed, in French, for a premiere in Paris, but is now usually sung in a slightly ill-fitting Italian translation; it is expensive to produce (including a lavish ballet, which was mandatory for Paris productions); and it marked a change to Verdi's later style, which has greater depth but less mass appeal. Its first video recording--visually lavish and generally well-sung--includes all the ballet music, which is often reduced or omitted, and (for reasons that are not entirely clear--maybe a preference for 19th-century costumes) updates the action from the 13th century to the Napoleonic era. Riccardo Muti conducts with his usual energy and polish, and he has a great orchestra and chorus. A production in French would be welcome, if (improbably) the right voices could be found. --Joe McLellan Binding DVD. Publisher(s): BBC / Opus Arte. Label: BBC / Opus Arte. AudienceRating: NR (Not Rated). Format: Classical. AspectRatio: 1.33:1.
| Manufacturer: | BBC/Opus Arte |
| Part Number: | OALS3008D |
| Lowest Price (CAD): | $12.56 |
Product Features |
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| Brand : |
BBC Opus Arte |
| Format : | VHS |
| Language : |
English French |
| Starring : | Gloria Banditelli |
| Title : | Title U-Z |
