Gaetano Donizetti: L'Elisir d'Amore - Opera National de Lyon

This DVD is a gem! GREAT music by Donizetti; tunes that I'm continually humming to myself (because I can't sing) throughout the day. Wonderful singers: Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu in the starring roles, however the show is stolen by the performance of Simone Alaimo who does a superlative job as Doctorre Dulcamara. Talk about getting into a role: he holds absolutely nothing back....magnificent! Just see him in the duet "Quanto amore" with Angela Gheorghiu and you'll see what I mean. It'll leave you breathless.As far as the overall production, I have seen a couple operas staged (on DVD) from the Opera National de Lyon and have not been disappointed in the results. They seem to have the knack of producing good audio and pleasing sets that are easy to look at and complement the people on stage.Brian Large handles the video and editing so you know you're going to get great camera angles.My only negative comments(and thus the loss of one star) about this otherwise wonderful production is that first, Roberto Alagna's voice came through my stereo system slightly tinny at times(maybe my system and/or the fact that I like my opera fairly loud) and second, that I could swear someone hits the wrong note at the very end of the opera.All in all an enjoyable show that I've listened to many times and just never get tired of. Absolutely worth getting.

When I saw that this performance had been set in the 1920's, I nearly passed on it, because I have found that "re-setting" a work like Elisir rarely works. However, in this case, it "works" very well indeed. Elisir is a comic opera, so the stage action means more than in a serious opera (although good acting in all forms of opera obviously enhances the performance). Donizetti's score is full of memorable tunes, and there is not a dull moment in it. In this DVD, all of the principles have good stage presence, and, with one minor reservation on my part, all are first rate singers. This performance was recorded when Alagna and Gheorghiu were newlyweds, and there is certainly chemistry between them which intensifies the stage relationship between Nemorino and Adina. Both are in top vocal form here, as well. Bass, Simone Alaimo is tremendous as Dr. Dulcamara, with wonderful buffa stage presence. The staging of his "snake oil sales" technique is hilarious. Somewhat less than ideal is Roberto Scaltriti as Sgt. Belcore: his voice sounds dry and one dimensional. Maestro Pido conducts with obvious affection for the score and with sensitivity to what the singers are doing, as well. The video is excellent, and the sound is Dolby 5.1. One reviewer found that the audio soundstage was narrow, but I did not experience this in a large viewing room. I have noted in other operatic reviews that the DVD medium works superbly in bringing opera into the home, and this disc is further evidence in support of my belief. If you are an operaphile, this performance of Elisir is a "must-have". If you are curious as to whether or not opera is for you, then this would be an ideal way to find out.

I was so looking forward to this production of L'Elisir d'Amore, partly because Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna are superb in La Traviata (she) and Lucie de Lammermoor (he). In addition, I thought it would be fun to see the real-life newlyweds onstage together. The sets and costumes look good, the orchestra and supporting cast sound good, but the leads are a disappointment. Gheorghiu's singing is, as usual, steely and pure, but she just doesn't seem to have a feel for comedy. By contrast, Alagna is having a lot of fun onstage, but his voice is grating much of the time. Both of their performances feel forced. Donizetti's sparkling melodious score is not well-served. Compare this to the delightful Met production of 1991 starring Luciano Pavarotti and Kathleen Battle (also on DVD). Pavarotti and Battle are so at ease on stage and their singing is spectacular. I also recommend the DVD of the Macerata Opera production from 2002; it features less well-known performers but is a joyful experience from beginning to end.I've read that Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna aren't onstage together as often because he's more comfortable performing in French. That sounds like a good choice to me because he's outstanding in the French versions of Donizetti's Lucie de Lammermoor and Verdi's Don Carlos. By contrast, here and in Il Trovatore, his voice often sounds forced and sometimes even shrill.

This is by all means a very good production of a simple but very enjoyable opera. The cast is great. The singing is very good, but what makes this production special is that all the singers act very well and they also look their part. They look like they enjoyed themselves on stage and so does one watching them.Please don't listen to the idiot who sais this is a poor production. You can see clearly that he has no idea of what he is saying when he sais it can't be good just because it is filmed in Lyon! He clearly has no idea of the great productions one can see nowadays all throughout Europe.L'Elisir is a funny opera with lovable tunes and this production really achieves that. The sound quality is very good, even though it's true that the sound is a little narrow, with too much coming from the middle, specially in 5.1.I sincerely recommend it! Great buy!

Excellent performances by Dulcamara and Belcore. Nemorino just wasn't melodious enough for me. This production was in 1996 and Roberto has certainly improved since. As for Adina I do not think she was coquettish enough. For some strange reason the scene was updated to the 1920s; why this when the original was quite ok?I have the Pavarotti version on VHS, which is now coming out on DVD. I much more prefer his Una Furtiva Lagrima than Roberto's. Likewise I think Judith Blegen provides a better performance than Angela. But Dulcamara and Belocre are much better in this version. In my opinion both version are worth buying.

I caught part of this when it was broadcast about 20 years ago by the BBC and eventually tracked it down on disc some while ago now – it`s been in my collection a long time and I still play it when the mood takes me.It`s an agreeable production with indeterminate modern dress costuming, but without any clever-clever interference from an artistic director imposing any post-modern interpretations – it was produced by the safe hands of Frank Dunlop and the video was directed by Brian Large.A fine cast with Roberto Alagna as Nemorino and Angela Gheorghiu as Adina make this a musically satisfying recording and it`s amusing without any forced humour or slapstick; an amiable and enjoyable version all in.The standard UK DVD is an all-region disc with NTSC; extras are a 52-minute documentary following the recording of the CD version with rehearsal footage, interviews and background to the production; English subtitles are available for the opera, the documentary is in English and with on-screen subtitles.

This is a well-known, even famous, performance of Donizetti's very popular opera. Part of its fame resides in the fact that it was made shortly after Alagna's and Gheorghui's marriage and who were subsequently billed as a dream couple casting. In fact the whole cast could be described as a dream team specially assembled for the intended Decca double recording - a recording of the 'live' opera performance for DVD followed by a separate recording for CD audio release only. These were two separate events and approached differently as the documentary makes clear.The `live' performance fully lives up to all expectations. The relationship between Alagna and Gheorgui sparkles with the freshness you might expect from a newly married couple and both are on top form vocally. To this Alagna adds plenty of extra energy into his acting of a young, inexperienced Nemorino rather than just a simpleton. Simone Alaimo manages the rapidity and energetic humour of his role as Dulcamara but still manages to sing all the notes. This is a very important consideration as he explains in the documentary. Similarly, Roberto Scaltriti as Belcore is able to put over the caricature nature of his part musically with a fine sense of comedic timing and presence. The chorus respond fully and enthusiastically to the demands made upon them and add considerably to the sense of fun.The documentary, `Love Potion' is an extensive and detailed film that describes the nature of each main part, the special demands upon the voices and the acting, and the research into producing what Donizetti intended by referring back to his original manuscript. The first part of this film relates to the DVD recording of the 'live' performance and contains interesting supplementary information in the form of brief interviews and rehearsal extracts. The film then goes on to show how the following separate recording for CD sound only had completely different demands and also how the music was recorded for that in its uncut version, unlike most `live' performances including this one.The recording from 1996 was made using 6 HD cameras and the result is crisp imaging coupled with all the usual expertise that one would expect from the experienced Brian Large team. The excellent sound is presented in DD 5.1 and stereo. There is a complementary CD included with highlights from the audio recording.This is a fine production and performance which has been very well recorded. It has now achieved something of a benchmark status which is fully deserved and thus 5 stars would seem to be the correct level of assessment. It is likely to continue to give considerable pleasure to purchasers for many years yet to come.

With opera's golden couple, Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu as the lovers Nemorino and Adina, Simone Alaimo as the quack doctor Dulcamara and Roberto Scaltriti the swaggering sergeant Belcore this staging of Donizetti's opera hits all the right notes. It is joyous throughout. The setting is 1920's Sicily,the staging is intimate and welcoming and the conducting by Evelino Pido lively and colourful. It is an opera which,as you watch, makes you glad to be alive, gorgeous music,electrifying singing, and real sparks between Alagna and Gheorghiu who,as husband and wife in real life,bring the right amount of feeling to their roles. It is nice in fact to see Gheorghiu in a lighter role and she handles the coloratura singing with ease. Alagna is well suited to the role of Nemorino,bringing youthfulness and sexiness to the part.As Dulcamara, Simone Alaimo is so at ease he is just marvellous.You hear every phrase, every note in the fantastically fast pieces Dulcamara sings. I was very impressed with the young bass Roberto Scaltriti as Belcore, a star for the future. The DVD also included a 50 min extra called 'Love Potion' which covers the simultaneous CD recording of the opera and includes interviews with the cast. The CD won many awards, the DVD is a constant pleasure.

This is a lovely production, with some genuinely amusing comedic touches. Gheorghiu sings beautifully, as always, but, in the duets (as is the case in his duets with the other principals), has to make extra effort to make herself heard above her husband, who seems to have only the rarest moments at a volume below mezzo forte. Alaimo makes an excellent Dulcamara, and Scaltriti a suitably masculine Belcore (though I do wish he didn't sing out of one side of his face, something which, in close up, is most off-putting: I guess the audience at the actual performance wouldn't have seen this, or at least not very clearly.) Synchronization is sometimes slightly out, but on the whole, the DVD is well produced - or so it seems to me, who have only slight technical knowledge.) The continuo is slightly forward, and so its contributions seem a little bold. A reserved recommendation, then. I far prefer Villazon as my "Little Nobody". Those dvds (Blegen and Battle) with Pavarotti also suffer from the fact that he rather overpowers his soprano - though I do not find this the case with the Sutherland/Pavarotti/Bonynge CD.

A light romantic comedy with beautiful music. Featuring peasants, soldiers and a quack doctor.Picture quality 5Sound quality 4 - sound recording does not fully 'bloom' .Sets 5 - stage has a wooden scaffold type structure on the left and right. A long table and a 1920s car and caravan.Storytelling 5Music making 5Acting 5Direction (camera work) 4Singing 5Costumes 5 - 1920s type clothing.Highly recommended.