Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23438 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-05-30
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Classical, Closed-captioned, Colour, Dolby, DVD-Video, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: German, English, Spanish, Italian, French
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 74 minutes

Synopsis
This production of Puccini's opera features conduction by Vladimir Jurowski and production by Annabel Arden. The staging really takes off as a result of its star, Allessandro Corbelli in the role of Gianni Schicci himself. Performed at the Glyndebourne Opera House, GIANNI SCHICCI showcases the wide-ranging skills of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Customer Reviews

Simply Wonderful!
This Glyndebourne production of 'Gianni Schicchi' is a success of the highest kind. Sets, costumes, especially the almost choreographed stage action, the marvelous playing of the London Philharmonic under Vladimir Jurowski (a conductor I am growing to admire more and more) and particularly the marvelous singing actors portraying all ten major characters in this Falstaff-inspired ensemble opera are all simply wonderful. The big numbers - Rinuccio's 'Firenze è come un albero fiorito' sung by tenor Marcello Giordano and Lauretta's 'O mio babbino caro' sung by soprano Sally Matthews - are woven into the fabric of the action rather than being staged as numbers per se. And they are sung beautifully. But most important is the fabulous ensemble work that includes such Glyndebourne stalwarts as Felicity Palmer and Marie McLaughlin as Zita and La Ciesca, and the other singers are just as good.

This production was given just a year ago - in July 2004 - and was part of an oddly appropriate double bill. The other opera, Rachmaninov's 'The Miserly Knight' (sometimes called 'The Covetous Knight') was not only composed in roughly the same time period (early 20th century) but has greed as a common theme. I will be reviewing the just-released DVD of that release a shortly. But if it's anything like this production it will be a winner.

This is easily the best overall production of 'Gianni Schicchi' I've ever seen and I recommend it enthusiastically.

TT=74 minutes; includes extras: interviews with stage director Annabel Arden, conductor Jurowski, baritone Alessandro Corbelli (the wonderful Schicchi); a narrated and illustrated synopsis; a gallery of pictures of the cast. Sound: Stereo or DTS surround sound (and the sound is quite good). Subtitles in English, German, French, Spanish and Italian.

Scott Morrison

OUTSTANDING!!
Gianni Schicchi is the third and final part of Il trittico, Puccini's trilogy of one-act operas. It is a masterpiece of Italian comedy.

The performance on the new DVD is sheer delight from every point of view. It was filmed live at the Glyndebourne Opera House in 2004. The director Annabel Arden adapted the plot from the Middle Ages to somewhere in the 19th centaury. Sets and costumed are beautiful, and Arden is doing an inspired job, full of surprises.

Vladimir Jurowski conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra with excellent results. Puccini brilliant orchestration is heard with great transparency due to the excellence of the recorded sound (True Surround Sound).

The singers are all excellent. The extremely funny Alessandro Corbelli takes the title role; Massimo Giordano and Sally Matthews are the young lovers with fresh voices. Felicity Palmer, Marie McLaughlin and Luigi Roni are some of the relatives.

Opus Arte should get a very high mark for the technical quality and presentation. Picture is crystal clear and the sound is warm and brilliant. Highly recommended!!

Absolute must-have
This is a wonderful production of Puccini's mini masterpiece. Annabel Arden has done a marvelous job of drawing out the dark side of humanity, which keeps the piece from veering into caricature and slapstick; yet humor is still here in abundance. Vladimir Jurowski leads the London Philharmonic in a brilliant reading of Puccini's motif-packed score.

In the title role, Alessandro Corbelli once again shows us why he is one of today's most sought-after singing artists. His expressive face, a marvel of muscular mobility, mirrors every fleeting thought and emotion, and every gesture is telling; yet one never feels that any of this is contrived, but only a natural consequence of Corbelli's total identification with his character. He uses his considerable vocal resources intelligently and respectfully, always in service of the music and dramatic situation, and never for the sake of pure vocalism. Corbelli is a Schicchi for the ages.

The supporting cast are all top drawer. One could not wish for a better Zita than Felicity Palmer; Sally Matthews and Massimo Giordano (not to be confused with Marcello Giordani, another fine tenor) are touching and ardent-voiced as the young lovers.