Verona's cavernous outdoor amphitheater, an imposing structure dating from Roman times, is the site for this 2003 Italian production of what is surely the world's most popular opera, Bizet's melody-filled tale of a Spanish army officer whose passion for a gypsy temptress named Carmen leads to mutual destruction. The enormous stage allows veteran director Franco Zeffirelli the opportunity to let his imagination run wild, and he fills the space with dozens of milling choristers, scores of dancers, and even an assortment of live animals--a donkey pulling a cart in the opening scene, a parade of horses in the last (hubbub that brings more extraneous stage noise than is ideal, but happily doesn't overshadow the performance). Alain Lombard, an old hand with the score, conducts with discipline and (lan, and Marina Domashenko cuts a seductive figure in the title role; a bit throaty and muffled in the first act, her singing improves markedly as the evening progresses. By contrast Marco Berti's tenor rings out splendidly, but his rather plump frame makes him a somewhat less believable Don Jos(. In supporting roles, Raymond Aceto is a strong Escamillo, and Maya Dashuk a particularly fine Mica(la. With its supple camerawork and excellent sound (with DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1, and LPCM stereo options), this is one of the better versions of Carmen on the market, even though the double-disc set lacks any extras. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (F. Swietek)
Carmen
(2003) 2 discs. 150 min. In French w/English subtitles. DVD: $29.99. TDK (dist. by Naxos of America). Color cover. Volume 20, Issue 1
Carmen
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