Thread: Il Trovatore DVDs

I've been looking for a good Il Trovatore DVD for a while. I find everything about the 1988 Met production to be perfect except for Eva Marton as Leonora, and she so badly ruins the whole show for me that that mis-casting alone forced me to go seek other DVDs.

I just watched the Karajan/Vienna State Opera (1978), and enjoyed it, but the orchestra just doesn't have the fire and precision that the Met does. And there are lots of problems with togetherness between singers and orchestra.

If there is a DVD out there that has an orchestra that plays with the fiery clarity and precision of the Met orchestra, in perfect synchronization with the singers, but without a mis-cast Leonora, I'd love to learn of it!

Thanks.

Originally Posted by macgeek2005

I've been looking for a good Il Trovatore DVD for a while. I find everything about the 1988 Met production to be perfect except for Eva Marton as Leonora, and she so badly ruins the whole show for me that that mis-casting alone forced me to go seek other DVDs.

I just watched the Karajan/Vienna State Opera (1978), and enjoyed it, but the orchestra just doesn't have the fire and precision that the Met does. And there are lots of problems with togetherness between singers and orchestra.

If there is a DVD out there that has an orchestra that plays with the fiery clarity and precision of the Met orchestra, in perfect synchronization with the singers, but without a mis-cast Leonora, I'd love to learn of it!

Thanks.

I have several versions and despite the dangerously slow tempos of Karajan and dated picture quality the cast is easily best overall of any version on DVD.

The Pavarotti MET has problems, I agree that Marton is not a great Leonora and Zajick (as Azucena) does not compare well to Cossotto's great performance for Karajan.

Other newer versions have modern picture quality but casts cannot compare overall to Karajan, so the ideal Trovatore remains to be made (if ever)

A difficult opera to put on and hence the lack of a decent 'winner' on DVD. The best i have seen is the Bonisolli DVD from the Arena Verona.

http://www.amazon.com/Verdi-Trovator.../dp/B0009GV9CS

Not a bad staging and arena for this larger than life opera.

Plowright might not be everyones cup of tea but she does a decent job.

Cossotto and Zancanaro are very good Verdi Singers.

So what about Bonisolli ....well, he preens, he scoops, he looks like a mad man ....but heck he can sing and as long as you like his tone (which i do) then you will enjoy his performance. Just watch his 'Di Quella Pira' .....apart from Corelli i don't think there is another singer who sings it quite like him. Bring on the gusto, bring on the big notes ......a real thrilling voice!

Watch him here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnw6BMLbnys

Originally Posted by DarkAngel

The Pavarotti MET has problems.

For me, the main problem with any Pavarotti role is Pavarotti.

And now, I will await the flack.

Originally Posted by GoneBaroque

For me, the main problem with any Pavarotti role is Pavarotti.

And now, I will await the flack.

I love his voice & love to listen to him on CD but don't like to watch him.

Originally Posted by Yashin

A difficult opera to put on and hence the lack of a decent 'winner' on DVD. The best i have seen is the Bonisolli DVD from the Arena Verona.

http://www.amazon.com/Verdi-Trovator.../dp/B0009GV9CS

Not a bad staging and arena for this larger than life opera.

I am always looking for a Trovatore DVD with Bonisolli and Viorica Cortez as Azucena.....I love this youtube sample but have not found a full DVD release, the picture quality seems quite good from sample



Sketchy details from youtube indicate this is a film version from 1975, there is a CD version from same period:

Originally Posted by sospiro

I love his voice & love to listen to him on CD but don't like to watch him.

I'd rather do neither.

Bonisolli was a visual/aural experience....i have that cd of Il Trovatore and it's not great.

Better watch clips of him....short bursts of energy.

As for Pavarotti ....well, re-watching clips of his Di Quella Pira ( i have the DVD but can't be bothered with it)....well his voice sounds solid and beautiful but there seems to be no attachment to the role....watch his Canio or his Rodolfo and there is something in his eyes that matches his voice. Here he seems uninterested in a rather wobbly Eva Marton (who i love as a singer/actress). Not his role nor his opera. Give me Bjorling, give me Del Monaco or give me Corelli. The rest, just leave it alone!