Thread: Which Blu-ray for Madama Butterfly?

Hi, Folks. My first post...

I am expecting the installation of a new audio/video system, and I would like to "christen" it with some nice blu ray opera.

I am not a hard-core opera fan, but I have very much enjoyed those I have seen in person, e.g., "Salome" at the Staatsoper in Vienna, "Carmen" at a small venue in South Carolina. I have an especially nice recording, I think, of "Un bel di vedremo" from "Madama Butterfly". I wanted to get the latter opera, and I thought ordering from the NY Metropolitan Opera would be a safe bet, but they have three Blu-ray version. I have no idea which to get to maximize my enjoyment of the new A/V system. They have not responded to my inquiry.

Any recommendations for best sight and sound? The Met's three versions are:

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Description

Madama Butterfly (Blu-ray)
Composer: Giacomo Puccini
Release Date: 2/26/16
Conductor: Daniel Oren
Artists: Fiorenza Cedolins (Cio-Cio-San/Madama Butterfly), Francesca Franci (Suzuki), Mina Blum (Kate Pinkerton), Marcello Giordani (B. F. Pinkerton), Juan Pons (Sharpless)
Orchestra, Chorus: Chorus and Orchestra of the Zurich Opera House
Director: Franco Zeffirelli

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Description

Madama Butterfly (Blu-ray) – Freni, Domingo, Ludwig
Composer: Giacomo Puccini
Release Date: September 23, 2014
Conductor: Herbert von Karajan
Artists:
Robert Kerns
Christa Ludwig
Giorgio Stendoro
Elke Schary
Marius Rintzler
Mirella Freni
Plàcido Domingo
Michel Sénéchal
Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Label: Deutsche Grammophon?
Run Time: 145 minutes
Region: Region Free, Worldwide

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Description

Madama Butterfly (Blu-ray)
Composer: Giacomo Puccini
Release Date: April 29, 2014
Conductor: Alexander Joel
Stage Director: Vincent Boussard
Artists:
Alexia Voulgaridou
Cristina Damian
Teodor Ilincai
Lauri Vasar
Orchestra: Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus
Label: Arthaus Musik
Language: French, Italian, Spanish, German, English, Korean
Subtitles: Italian, English, German, French, Spanish, Korean
Region: Worldwide
Run Time: 137 minutes

Director Vincent Boussard staged this 2012 Hamburg State Opera production of Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, collaborating with fashion designer Christian Lacroix and set designer Vincent Lemaire for this stylish new production. Alexander Joel conducts a superb cast including soprano Alexia Voulgaridou, tenor Teodor Ilincai, and baritone Lauri Vasar.

“Impressive both as an actress and a singer, Alexia Voulgaridou has the strongest impact on this consistently musical and sophisticated production. ... a great experience even for newcomers.” - Hamburger Abendblatt

“ …performances by the singers, orchestra and chorus are good to outstanding, and the Vincent Boussard production is quite compelling…” - Classic Net

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They also have a version of their own production on HD(DVD). I have a Blu-ray player, so not sure about its compatibility or relative quality.

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I am not sure I am ready for the many hours of Wagner's entire "Ring Cycle", but my brother, who works as a stage hand, recommended "Wagner's Dream" about the Met production as a start. I will be ordering that, as well.

Comments, opinions, all feedback, in general, other suggestions sincerely appreciated.

Karajan - directed by Ponelle - is very moving as long as you can take a film as opposed to a live performance

The sound of this one is outstanding, singer are good.

Thanks to all for the recommendations. Do keep them coming if you are so inspired, and don't feel limited in your suggestions.

It turns out that the fellow doing my A/V work is an opera fan. He is looking to retire to the Santa Fe area where he owns some property and attends performances of the Santa Fe Opera whenever he is there. He had some suggestions of his own.

He also told me of one of his customers who makes annual pilgrimages to experience the entire Ring cycle where ever it is being performed.