Top opera films

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 2:27pm

Which ones work the best for you?

I'm fond of La Traviata with Teresa Stratas. The sumptuous photography and the hot-blooded performances by Domingo and Stratas are so captivating.

[Mrs Mangel]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 4:24pm

I like the "Traviata" as well. Years ago, I remember being really excited by the Zeffirelli "Otello", loved Domingo and Ricciarelli, tryed to watch it last year and it just seemed to hokey and forced for me.
The Joseph Losey "Don Giovanni" is interesting in a stylised kind of way, but Berganza is just way too old for Zerlina.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 4:30pm

What happened to The Magic Flute?

[Mrs Mangel]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 4:33pm

Forgot about that one- sorry. The most most bleedingly obvious one. That probably comes in first- Bergman and all...

[Roscoe]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 4:34pm

I'd have to go with Bergman's film of THE MAGIC FLUTE, followed by Zeffirelli's LA TRAVIATA. The TRAVIATA kind of comes to a halt in the second act, and Domingo is just way too old, but it works anyway.

The overture section to Bergman's MAGIC FLUTE is one of the best things he ever did. Enchanting all around.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 4:38pm

I haven't watched Bergman's Magic Flute yet, but I did like Kenneth Branagh's Magic Flute and Carmen with Julia Migenes.

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 4:47pm

Love La Traviata.

I also love the 1951 Powell-Pressburger film of The Tales of Hoffman. Stunning, excotic and strange. Even more eye-popping than their film The Red Shoes!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 4:54pm

ALL of the above!

And don't forget CARMEN JONES!

[Mrs Mangel]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 5:18pm

LOVE "Carmen Jones".
I've never seen the "Hoffman" before, but it looks fantastic. I'm going to have to hunt it out.
isn't there also a "Rosenkavalier" from the '50's with Schwarzkopf?

[Mrs Mangel]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 5:25pm

I was right-
haven't seen it, though...

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 5:51pm

I agree with Traviata and Carmen Jones, and I would love to see Rosenkavalier. However, I did not care for the Julia Migenes Carmen. She seemed like she was trying too hard, and the production was overblown, even for a studio film of a grand opera.

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 6:03pm

Salome with Teresa Stratas (astonishing) and Astrid Varnay.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Op1VoQXXARs

Updated On: 4/30/08 at 06:03 PM

[LaurenB]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 7:43pm

Carmen - by Carlos Saura, the Flamenco version

[thatgirl712]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 3:09am

Yes, don't forget Carmen Jones!

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 1:40pm

I can't watch opera films. If it isn't a live recording, it annoys me. The whole point of opera is listening to the technique and knowing that it is live and not doctored.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 2:33pm

Salome with Stratas, followed by Elektra with Rysanek. Both had Varnay and both were amazing.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 2:38pm

I love the Zeffirelli Traviata mostly for Stratas' performance.
I always held out hope for a full new version of Hoffman. I should check out the Criterion DVD, has it been restored?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 3:30pm

And you must, must MUST include the haunting and wonderful TOSCA'S KISS, a documentary on the aging opera singers who live in the Casa di Verdi in Milan.



Pictured on the DVD cover is Sara Scuderi, who grace and humor make her the star of the movie. Adter seeing the movie, Scuderi became my all-time favorite opera dive, over Callas and Stratas and Bubbles and Jessye.
Tosca's Kiss - Il Bacio di Tosca (1985)

[DG]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 3:42pm

Just because, I have to mention MEETING VENUS, which never fails to make me laugh.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 3:53pm

There's also a very good film of PAGLIACCI with Domingo and Stratas, directed I believe by Zeffirelli. Well worth seeking out.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 4:33pm

Sue---Yes, the Criterion release of "Tales of Hoffman" has been restored and looks great! It also has an audio commentary by Martin Scorsese on it.
Here's a nice review of the disc...

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 5:29pm

Thanks, Best. I have seen bits of it before, but the print was SO bad I couldn't stand it.
That review doesn't mention how much of the score is retained, and the fact that the mono sound has not been improved too much is a disappointment, but damn, I just moved it to the top of my queue!

( I always loved the idea of a person singing themselves to death. How Romantic!)

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 5:53pm

Updated On: 5/1/08 at 05:53 PM

[roquat]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 10:37pm

Julia Migenes kicks ASS in the movie of "Carmen". She more than convinces you she could destroy men without half trying. She is also unforgettable as Pirate Jenny in the wretched Golam/Globus film of "Threepenny Opera" (MACK THE KNIFE).

Does UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG qualify as an opera? Or is it more of an operetta, or is it a genre in itself? I love it, I'm just looking for clarification...

[DG]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 10:39pm

Roquat - I think the genre in question is so limited, we're looking at ANY angle to be included