For me, Massenet's masterpiece overall is Manon, which is more plausible in the story I feel. However that is not to dismiss Thais, it is a very sensual opera with beautiful music and one of the most affecting final scenes in all of opera. Other than this production, there is also the Met production with Fleming and Hampson, which I just prefer especially for Fleming and slightly more nuanced account of the final scene. On record there is the Beverly Sills and Sherrill Milnes recording, Sills is not at her best vocally but she is still moving, and Milnes is outstanding.
That is not to dispute this 2004 Thais though, as it is very good. Visually it is just as sensual as the opera itself, perhaps overly reliant on the symbolism especially in Act 3 with the crosses but the colour palette is striking, the sparse stage is still used to stunning effect and with the minimal clothing this production is perhaps more erotic than the Met production. The camera work is good and the picture and sound quality are also fine.
Musically, it's wonderful. The orchestral playing is very lush and sensitive, and the late Marcello Viotti conducts with passion and nuance. The final scene is every bit as moving as it should be. The staging is always interesting and involving, with the roses especially in the Meditation serving their purpose well. The choreography is skillfully choreographed and passionately danced, the choreography of the Meditation mayn't be for all tastes, I didn't mind it but personally would've preferred for it to be still.
Eva Mei is a truly affecting Thais. The acting is intelligent and brave(with the nudity) with her final scene done absolutely beautifully, however her vocal production is uneven, with some wonderful pianissimo and soaring high register singing but also moments of uncertainty and unpleasantness. I personally do prefer the warmer, creamier tone of Fleming's voice. Michele Pertusi is just as good as Athanael, the voice is resonant and huge and although there is some pushed intonation I didn't get the sense that the role was too heavy for him. As for the acting, Pertusi really is a master of commanding the stage with everything he does meaning something.
Nicias is a thankless and rather brief role, but thanks to William Joyner's suitably effete manner and ringing tone the role is memorable here. The rest of the cast are fine, with only the Albine of Trizania Carraro lacking with a rather wobbly tone. In conclusion, a very effective, sensual and moving Thais, and one of the better opera DVDs in the 6-DVD Teatro La Fenice collection. 8/10 Bethany Cox