Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #62435 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-06-01
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Formats: AC-3, Box set, Classical, Colour, DTS Surround Sound, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Italian, German, English, French, Spanish
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 210 minutes

Synopsis
Prokofiev's choice of a theme was somewhat prescient as just a few months into the composing of his opera that the Nazis invaded the Soviet Union. Based on Tolstoy's novel WAR AND PEACE the theme became a reality for Prokofiev and his country. Unfortunately he would not live to see the opera performed in its entirety as it was performed as both drafts and revised versions. This production was musically directed by Gary Bertini and was performed by the National Opera of Paris.

Customer Reviews

An Extraordinary Prokofiev 'War and Peace'
This is a reissue of a no-longer available (except from Amazon's associated vendors -- and at a huge price) 2DVD set from TDK of the 2000 Paris Opéra production of Prokofiev's 'War and Peace'. There are beaucoup customer reviews of the production at that DVD's site here at Amazon and I'd suggest you might read them by clicking on this link: Prokofiev - War and Peace / Bertini, Gunn, Kit, Mamsirova, Gouriakova, Brubaker, Paris Opera. As far as I can tell this reissue is identical to the earlier release, but is at a far more competitive price.

When the Paris Opéra did 'War and Peace' in 2000 it was, amazingly, the work's first Paris production. Perhaps that's not so surprising since the French are the bad guys in Tolstoy's (and Prokofiev's) 'War and Peace'. Still, the work is one of the truly great operas of the twentieth century. One of the highlights of my own opera-going life was the production at the Metropolitan brought over from the Kirov and conducted by Valery Gergiev. As far as I know that production is not available on DVD but if it ever becomes available I'd snap it up. It starred Anna Netrebko, Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Samuel Ramey. This Paris production, though, is very nearly its equal and in fact visually I think it outclasses the Kirov/Met production. The sets, costums and props are magnificent and in particular the lighting is subtle and psychologically apt. Stage direction by the American Francesca Zambello is fabulous.

The cast, with some exceptions, is not as well-known as the Met cast, but it is certainly first-rate. Olga Guryakova makes a wonderful, girlish Natasha. Hollywood-handsome Nathan Gunn is a stirring and believable Andrei Bolkonsky. His death scene with Natasha is stunningly effective. Robert Brubaker is a stalwart and believable (as well as musical) Pierre Buzukhov. He looks the part of the kind, timid but then brave Pierre, too. Another standout is the General Kutuzov of Anatoly Kotcherga; his monolog in Act II is outstanding.

'War and Peace' is extraordinarily difficult to stage. It requires more than sixty solo singers and a huge chorus that has complicated stage actions to perform. All of them were directed with psychological subtlety by Francesa Zambello. Gary Bertini is a skilled and experienced maestro who somehow keeps all these forces at peak effectiveness. This Paris production is slightly shortened, which for some may be a bit of a blessing, especially in the drawn-out war scenes.

There is an excellent 87-minute documentary, spread over the two DVDs, about 'The Making of "War and Peace".' It adds immeasurably to one's enjoyment of the production.

I would recommend this set without reservation. If and when the Kirov/Met production becomes available -- and who knows if it will -- I'll want it, too, but for now I'm completely satisfied with the Paris production.

Scott Morrison