Amazon.com: This production of Lehar's The Merry Widow is a mixed bag, appropriate, perhaps, for a work of art that is both sublime and ridiculous. Its weakest element is the presence of Joan Sutherland, which will undoubtedly attract the most buyers. Still, viewers will replay it often (perhaps bypassing some of Sutherland's numbers) for the sake of its lavish production, particularly for the abundant, polished, and colorful dance numbers.
The 1988 performance, by the Australian Opera in the elegant Sydney Opera House, dates from the end of Sutherland's career, and it leaves one wondering whether she should have retired a bit sooner, while at the same time treasuring every moment in the presence of one of the unique voices of the 20th century. There are moments of beauty in her singing, but intonation and support are both variable. The supporting cast, including Ronald Stevens, Anne-Maree McDonald, and Anson Austin, is generally adept, though some gags (especially the Pontevedran accents) may seem overworked. --Joe McLellan
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Nonsense
I didn't like it, but the audience in Australia certainly did. Sutherland sang only one thing (in my opinion) poorly, and that was I think the last number in the show, what is commonly called The Merry Widow Waltz. She sang it in her "low voice" (to take an expression from Kiri Te Kanawa) and I didn't like it. The rest of it (what there WAS of it!) was wonderful. Too much dialogue. Too much farce (it was stupid). I've heard several different versions of this score, and except a few tunes, they all seem to have different songs in them. Which reminds me, my preference (even over Sutherland) ... Read More
Rating: - A GREAT SHOW
This is a great DVD ifi you want to see the heroine, getting the man, and staying alive to enjoy it. The ballet is great, the costumes are amazing, and the prince is....Ron Stevens!!!, Joan is clearly having a blast; dancing jumping singing talking and being herself.
Rating: - Direct from Australian TV
This performance was not made just for, or even with DVD in mind, it is simply a transfer from a standard TV production, and as such is flawed, the michrophones are of poor quality, making Joan Southerland sound rather off, they can't properly record her extreme dynamic range (a real shame, because people are mistaking what was recorded with the way she really sounds)the video is poor, and looks really bad on a large screen, although not that bad on a regular tv, the performances are as good as any you are likely to find on record, although different from the San Francisco Opera production,, which ... Read More
Rating: - Ugh!!!
I don't have much to say but that Sutherland sounds abominable in this performance. She is just too old! Acting is terrible, voice is terrible....that's 0 out of 2, and sutherland is in the title role! Skip this one, it's not worth it one bit.
Rating: - A hook for the diva ???????
There certainly are a lot of warts on this Australian production, and to blame them all on Joan Southerland is, I think misguided..... I mean even the editorial review is less than flattering to the aging diva ... meeoww meowww ... little plate of milk for, on the floor though, the ed reviewers .....
This is one of the very very few DVD's of this opera and that is what makes it enjoyable, to be able to at least see in in your home. The dance numbers are exquisite and as a whole the lighting and video are excellent....
If there is a down on this DVD well I am disgusted that ... Read More
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