This listing is for The Metropolitan Opera: Live From the Met Highlights Volume I VHS Video Tape.

Actors: The Metropolitan Opera, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Eva Marton, Joan Sutherland

Format: Classical, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC

Rated: NR - Not Rated

Number of tapes: 1

Studio: Paramount Home Video

VHS Release Date: 1986

Run Time: 70 minutes  

I really enjoyed the bonus feature that told the story of the history of the Met--from the social battles of millionaires like the Astors, the Vanderbilts, and J.P. Morgan. (Morgan banned Strauss' Salome from the Met after a single performance, much as Madama Butterfly was later banned following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.) My favorite "windows into great operatic moments" on this tape are: Jose Carreras and Teresa Stratas, as Rodolfo and Mimi in La Boheme. Carreras' voice is at its strongest, and Stratas sings and acts so well that it makes the classic love duet even more magical.

Eva Marton, also captured at her best, greets Tannhauser's noble hall of music with strength and passion that few singers can convey. Another gem that I hope you will see is the sextet from Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor. Alfredo Kraus is the urbane, ideal Edgardo. The rest of the six are wonderful in their blending together as they create the magic scene culminated by Joan Sutherland's perfect high note, held just exactly the right length of time. She's got guts--that's what makes an absolute prima donna--she never hesitates or falters. The sextet is written so the other actors' singing leads into, and sets up the soprano's ultra high note, which resolves or balances out everything. If you can't find a way to buy this disc, I hope you can borrow it, just to share this magic moment from Lucia. This is singing and passion to show others what grand opera is all about!

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