Gaetano Donizetti - La Fille du regiment / Dessay, Florez, Palmer, Corbelli, French, Campanella, Pelly (Royal Opera House 2007) | 
 enlarge | Director: Laurent Pelly
Actors: Natalie Dessay, Juan Diego Florez, Felicity Palmer, Alessandro Corbelli, Dawn French
Studio: Virgin Classics
Category: DVD
List Price: $24.98
Buy New: $16.99
You Save: $7.99 (32%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  35 reviews
Sales Rank: 2478
Format: Color, Ntsc
Languages: French (Original Language), English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 132
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5099951900298
ASIN: B0013V33DG
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Release Date: April 15, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
This DVD version of Donizetti's comic opera zooms right to the top of any list of essential videos for opera fans. It may not be the composer's best work, but given a top-notch production with world class singing actors, it brings vocal thrills and an abundance of laughs, a combination that's hard to beat. The stars are Juan Diego Florez and Natalie Dessay, both unbeatable in bel canto roles, and both in top form here. Florez's mellifluous tenor is flexible enough to make child's play of the terrifying (to other tenors) nine high C's in Ah! mes amis," and supple enough to make his tender love arias moving. Dessay is equally comfortable in the stratospheric coloratura passages and poignant in such heart-tugging set-pieces as her farewell to her regimental "fathers" and her misery as the victim of the Marquise's well-meaning attempts to teach her to be an aristocratic lady. She's also a terrific comic actress. In her first appearance she's doing the regiment's laundry, and her antics with the iron and the ironing board while singing elaborately difficult coloratura passages induce belly laughs. But then, so do her comic acting in many other scenes, such as her Act II entry in a silk dress and full petticoat, her walk a wonderful parody of a "lady's" heel-to-toe gait. That moment alone is worth the price of admission. Lesser roles too, are done to perfection. Felicity Palmer, a long-time Covent Garden favorite, is a delicious Marquise de Berkenfield, and Donald Maxwell, is her apt partner as Hortensius, her servant. Sergeant Sulpice, the heroine's protector, is well-sung and acted by Alessandro Corbelli, and Dawn French almost steals the show as the overbearing Duchess. Conductor Bruno Campanella leads a spirited performance, enhanced by the fine playing by the Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House. Laurent Pelly's stage direction is wonderful for its comic touches and Chantal Thomas' simple but effective sets add to the delights. The video direction efficiently serves the staging, focusing on the action and the singers without adding extraneous shots that detract from the musical flow. All of which makes this DVD a can't-miss for opera fans. --Dan Davis La Fille du regiment is in 16:9 ratio. Sound options include PCM Stereo, Dolby 5.1 Surround and DTS 5.1 Surround. Subtitles include English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian.
Description
In January 2007, superstar soprano Natalie Dessay, joined on stage by acclaimed tenor Juan Diego Florez dazzled British audiences in Laurent Pelly's new production of Donizetti's "LA FILLE DU REGIMENT". The perfectly staged & cast production became the operatic event of the year, receiving rave press reviews & rapturous audience ovations.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 30 more reviews...
Another comedic masterpiece September 28, 2008
I remember seeing a traditional La Fille a long time ago; I was bored stiff. But on the strength of the many 5 star reviews, I took a risk on this La Fille.
Do it! Like the Le Elisir d'amore with Netrebko and Villazon Donizetti - L'Elisir d'Amore / Eschwe, Netrebko, Villazon, Wiener Staatsoper, it takes middling music and makes it tremendous fun. Don't let the anachronistic setting (WW I?) scare you off; this is one of those cases where it works.
Dessay starts out as a near-manic, but her acting quickly turns the prosaic story into a dramatic hoot.
And then there's Florez' high C's: enough said.
I haven't seen the competing La Fille with Ciofi and Florez, but this one is simply too much fun. Get it.
Donizetti - La fille du regiment - Dessay and Florez September 16, 2008
This is the first opera I have ever bought on DVD, and because it has been such a joyful experience, it won't be the last. I watched twice with my 3 daughters (10, 12 and 14 years old) and we were glued to the screen the whole time.
It is set during WWI. A baby girl has been raised from infancy by a French regiment. She falls in love with Tonio, a civilian, but she has promised to marry a member of the regiment. And, of course, her long-lost mother reappears to bring her home. So - will the 2 lovers ever be allowed to unite ?
The plot is light as fluff. It is a Comic Opera, so anyone expecting a serious spectacle is watching the wrong thing. One of the background sets is ugly, but utilitarian - and are we watching this to admire sets or the singing of Dessay and Florez ?
Dessay and Florez sing their hearts out in this - notably the 9 high Cs in "Ah! mes amis". It is an absolute joy to listen to, and it's funny, to boot ! Dawn French has only a speaking role but is unforgettable as the irascible Duchess. Pop this in the DVD, sit back, and enjoy - even your kids will like it (and might even break out in song once in a while later).
Enhanced Donizetti September 10, 2008
I was not a big fan of Donizetti's operas til now. I used to find them kind of shallow, music and plot-wise. However, this version of La fille du Regiment from Covent Garden proved me completely wrong. A great stage production can make a big difference in the way you perceive an opera, and this is a perfect example of that. The other JDF's DVD of this same opera (Genova) falls short compared with this delicious Covent Garden version. Dessay is the big star of the show, she is simply fantastic. Great actress and great singer. JDF is always good but he is completely overshadowed here by the energetic and amazing Dessay. However, the most important thing is that this La Fille du Regiment acquires a different dimension under the stage direction of Laurent Pelly. Bravo for Covent Garden that has put together, in the last few years, amazing productions of beloved traditional operas like this one and le Nozze di Figaro (with Erwin Schrott), with a modern twist that is not Eurotrash but neither those old fashioned and boring MET productions lacking of imagination.
Dessay and Florez in La Fille du Regiment August 8, 2008
Miss Dessay and Mr. Florez are magnificent in this production. The singing by both and the rest of the cast is excellent and the acting, especially Miss Dessay, is outstanding. This is a DVD I will enjoy for ever. Naty Fowler
La Fille Du Regiment July 25, 2008
This is an outstanding video of a wonderful production of this enjoyable opera. The concept is delightful and the performances are magnificent.
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