More Opera Recommendations
Excellent Productions from My Collection. All available from Amazon.
( Note: Other productions will contain the same music but might be presented in a completely different way! )
La Cenerentola
L'Elisir D'Amore
L'Amore Des 3 Oranges
La Sonnambula
La Fille Du Régiment
5 COMEDIES
1. La Cenerentola
Rossini's excellent take on the story of Cinderella - La Cenerentola (pron. Chenner, to rhyme with tenner -rent-ola.) - more challenging than 'The Barber'. It's 3 hours long, there's no magic pumpkin and Rossini replaced the Fairy Godmother with Prince Ramiro's tutor, Alidoro.
Not a widely known opera but it's full of typical Rossini music and comic antics. A must for Rossini fans. I think it's wonderful.
Rossini Comedy (187 mins)
2. L'Elisir D'Amore
'The Elixir Of Love'. Farmhand Nemorino is having little luck in his quest to win the hand of Adina and this looks even less likely when Sergeant Belcore takes a fancy to her. Nemorino decides to buy a 'love potion' from the bogus Dr Dulcamara. Highly entertaining.
Donizetti Comedy (126 mins)
3. L'Amore Des Trois Oranges
'The Love Of Three Oranges'. This is opera gone mad. The Prince is not only a hypochondriac but suffers from lack of human warmth and love. The witch Fata Morgana curses him and makes him fall in love with three oranges which he will pursue to the end of the earth. In the course of his journey, he matures,
discovers true love and becomes a worthy successor to his father, the King. Crazy, but I like it!
Prokofiev Comedy (116 mins)
5. La Sonnambula
Natalie Dessay plays Amina 'The Sleepwalker' whose forthcoming marriage is put in jeopardy when she's found asleep in another man's bedroom.
Juan Diego Flórez is her betrothed, Elvino. A clever reworking of the original 'Swiss Village' setting. A gentle comedy.
Bellini Comedy (138 mins)
4. La Fille Du Régiment
Found as a baby on the battlefield, Marie (Natalie Dessay) 'The Daughter of the Regiment', is expected to marry a soldier. Then along comes a suitor, Tonio (Juan Diego Flórez). Guess who's in a supporting role ... Dawn French!
Donizetti Comedy (132 mins)
Only buy Blu-ray if you have a suitable player.
Watch out for highly priced versions of the same DVD.
Don't forget to read the Synopsis and to switch-on the Subtitles!
If you enjoy a performance, show your appreciation by watching the curtain calls.
If you don't have time to watch the whole thing, watch it Act by Act.
Which one is my favourite?
' Cinderella '
( If I get any positive feedback from old or new opera fans, I might add a few more recommendations from my collection, Wagner included! Jim )