Carmen is one of my favorite operas and this production from 1980 in Paris is very good and touching. Teresa Berganza is seductive, charismatic and very good as the title character of this opera. Placido Domingo as Don José brings out all the intensity of Don José as a character and you can see why Don José is to many one of his best roles. Katia Ricciarelli, whom I know as Amelia in Un Ballo in Maschera and Liu in Turandot is heartbreaking as Micaela and Ruggiero Raimondi is truly great as Escamilo (one of the rare feats, since many who play him sorta stop being energetic when his aria ends and sorta drag through Act 3 and Act 4,but here it was not the case). The final scene hits. Overall, one of the best Carmen in my opinion. 9/10.
Reviews
197 Reviews
Amazing Aida
12 May 2024
Aida is one of my favorite Verdi operas and wow, this performance was absolutely amazing! This was the final performance of Leontyne Price in an opera and here as Aida, she was amazing, both on acting and singing. She definetely was the highlight of the performance(both O Patria Mia and Ritorna Vincitor). She literally became Aida and made Aida feel human. James McCracken as Radames was very good and had chemistry with Leontyne Price. Fiorenza Cossotto I knew previously as Azucena in Il Trovatore and here as Amneris she gives an amazing performance. Overall, with 1989 Met Aida, one of my favorite Aida and one of my most favorite opera performances ever. 10/10.
Il trovatore
(1985 TV Movie)
Very good Il Trovatore
26 April 2024
Il Trovatore may not have the best plots in Verdi, but this 1985 Verona production is truly thrilling experience. Sets and costumes do look very good and fitting. Franco Bonisolli is a very good Manrico. His singing is very good (especially in Di Quella Pira) and he shows credible chemistry with Rosalind Plowright and also tenderness with Fiorenza Cossotto. Giorgio Zancanaro as Di Luna gives us menacing, yet human Di Luna (not an easy fit, since baritones can often fall into caricatures with him). Rosalind Plowright as Leonora has a lovely voice, though in the acting she moved me more. Fiorenza Cossotto as Azucena is the highlight of the production. Azucena is the most interesting character in the opera and with both her and Amneris, Cossotto gives amazing performances, in both singing and acting .Overall, very good Il Trovatore 8,5/10.
Aida
(1985 TV Movie)
Very good Aida, though with some imperfections
22 April 2024
Aida is one of my favorite Verdi operas and this 1985 La Scala production was good, though with some imperfections. Some costumes looked a bit unfitting for the Ancient Egypt setting of Aida,especially the costumes of Amneris and Radames. The Triumphal Scene (grand march) was badly choreographed. Luciano Pavarotti makes a really noble hero as Radames, more so in the voice than the acting. Ghena Dimitrova, a soprano, here sings the mezzo soprano role of Amneris. She was the best actor of the trio. Maria Chiara as Aida has a lovely voice and acts well. Overall, very good Aida, with the imperfections in the costumes and The Triumphal Scene 8/10.
Il trovatore
(1978 TV Movie)
Truly amazing Il Trovatore
22 April 2024
Il Trovatore isn't among my favorite Verdi ,due to its plot not exactly being among my favorites ,but this 1978 Vienna production truly managed to elavate the opera. Young Placido Domingo sings and acts gorgeously as Manrico. He definetely manages to make Manrico more interesting than he is. Raina Kabaivanska is noble,kind and sweet Leonora. Piero Capuccili I know previously as Renato,Don Carlo and Iago and he does manage to make Don Luna both devious in his pursuit of Manrico and yet someone we sympthatize with. Fiorenza Cosotto is truly fiery and determined Azucena. Azucena is definetely the most interesting character in the opera and Cosotto portrayed her very well. Overall,truly a gem of Il Trovatore 10/10.
Aida
(I) (2006 TV Movie)
Generally very good Aida
21 April 2024
Aida is one of my favorite Verdi operas and while this 2006 La Scala production is not among my favorite (prefer 1989 Metropolitan opera and 2009 Metropolitan opera to this one ) , it is very good. Sets and costumes look very good. Violeta Urmana is generally very good Aida, her singing and acting is good, but she was better and more confident in 2009 Met Aida. Roberto Alagna is younger here and he does start a bit strained, but later recovers and he acts and sing very nicely. The greatest highlight of the production was Ildiko Komlosi as Amneris, whose singing and acting were very good and she became Amneris in a way. Overall, very good Aida. 8/10.
Near triumphant Aida
21 April 2024
Aida is one of the best Verdi operas and this production is very decent and lovely. Sets and costumes look very good and for the story of Aida, they are quite fitting. Since Aida herself is a quite hard role, I was a bit apprehensive of Anna Netrebko singing her,since Aida is not the easiest soprano roles. Her singing though is very rich, lovely and nice. Her acting as well is good. Anita Rachvelishvili as Amneris has a very dark, velvety, rich and powerful voice, with a good stage presence. Unfortunately, the weakest link of the cast is definetely Aleksandrs Antonenko as Radames, whose singing is not good. There is also not much chemistry between him and Netrebko, except maybe a tiny bit in the tomb scene. Overall, very good Aida, a bit brought down by its Radames 8/10.
Truly intense, fiery and beautiful Thais
21 April 2024
Thais may not be one of my favorite opera(from the French operas, that goes to Carmen) , but this production is one of the most beautiful Metropolitan Opera productions I have ever seen. Renee Fleming sings and acts very beautifully as the title character, a courtesan Thais (Thais is also the most interesting character in the opera). Thomas Hampson sings and acts very good as Athanael and you can see the chemistry between him and Thais. Sets and costumes in Thais look truly amazing and beautiful, fitting the story. The fimal scene of Thais is emotional and it really hit me. Overall, an amazing production of Thais and one of the best Metropolitan opera production. 10/10.
Revolutionary Girl Utena
(1997)
Truly beautiful anime
31 March 2024
Young Utena has been given ring by a prince when her parents passed away. When her best friend ,Wakaba,is insulted by Saionji,the kendo captain ,she challenges him to a duel .Whoever wins the duels has the posession of Anthy,a Rose Bride with the power to revolutionize the world. This anime has themes of gender roles and harm they bring to both men and women,patriarchy,misandry and female opression. I love both Utena and Anthy,such well written girls .The ending is a hope for the future. The animation is very good for 1997. This really became one of my favorite shoujo anime .I absolutely enjoyed it. Well done,J. C. Staff! 9/10.
Well done movie
12 March 2024
This movie is based on the manga by the same name and tells about Kenshin, a former assassin who decided to atone for the people he killed during the revolution and now helps people. This movie mostly depicts the story of Megumi and what happened to her. How Kenshin met Yahiko and Sanosuke is not in the movie and their roles are much smaller than in the manga. Acting was decently done. The duel with Jin E was intense, with Jin E being suitably creepy. I do wish though we had Kenshin witness Kaoru's kidnapping like in the manga instead of being told of it by Megumi. I do wish the soundtrack were a bit more memorable Overall, decently done movie. 6/10.
Le bal masqué
(1981 TV Movie)
Very good production
8 March 2024
Un Ballon in Maschera is not my favorite Verdi,but this 1981 Paris production was very good. Sets and costumes look lovely and are very fitting for this story. Picture quality could have been a bit better, but since it is the early 80s,I can forgive that. Katia Ricciarelli I previously heard as Amelia in 1975 London and 1980 Met Ballo and here she was very good. I liked her as Micaela and Liu as well. Leo Nucci was very good as Renato. Jose Carreras as Riccardo I would consider the highlight of the production. His singing and acting were very good. Overall, quite a good production of this opera. 9/10.
Mulan
(2020)
Loyal, brave and true
7 March 2024
Mulan is one of the most popular Chinese literary heroines. Her journey inspired both the animated movie and this live action movie. Many people expected a live action remake in the style of 2017 Beauty and the beast or 2019 Aladdin, so ended up dissapointed. I liked this movie though. The costumes and sets look very lovely and the score is very good, with some score of the animated Mulan being in it. The dialogue can be a bit bad and sound stilted. Bori Khan and Xian Niang could have been a bit more interesting and the confrontation more intense, though the actress of Xian Niang is very good . Liu Yufei as Mulan brings both vulnerability and loveliness to her. Though this movie doesn't quite possess the charm and soul of the animated Mulan, it is good. Overall, decently done Mulan. 6/10.
Truly great anime adaptation
27 February 2024
This is one of the shoujo to get complete anime adaptation, which happens rarely (Fruits Basket and Requiem of the Rose King are the other two I know of) . It is inspired by the fairytale Beauty and the beast. Sariphi is a young woman who is sacrificed to the king of Beasts, whom she named Leonhart. Leonhart is intrigued by Sariphi and decides to make her his queen. Animation is very solid and good. I loved both Sariphi and Leonhart as characters. Kana Hanazawa and Satoshi Hino do very good job as them and you can feel their love and bond. The final scene and a happy ending makes you feel very happy. Overall, very good shoujo anime!
Dissapointing elements, but musically lovely
1 February 2024
La Donna Del Lago (The Lady of the Lake) is not among my favorite operas. From Rossini, I prefer La Cenerentola and Il Barbiere di Siviglia. They have a bit more charm to them. The best thing about this production is definetely Joyce di Donato as Elena(Ellen). She is no stranger to Rossini (performing Rosina and Angelina). Her singing and acting are lovely and she commands the stage. Daniela Barcelona gets her footing as Malcolm and did a great job. Juan Diego Flores was great as the kind. The week link of the production is Oren Gradus as Douglas, Ellen's father. The production made him a bit of a brute, so that didn't help him either. Sets and costumes are traditional, but sorta bare. Overall, worth watching for Joyce di Donato and some other performers. 6/10.
Not the best Wozzeck
1 February 2024
Wozzeck is definetely not among my favorite opera and I had to learn to appreciate the style of music that Alan Berg does . It is very dark and harrowing opera, with an interesting title role. Sets and costumes do fit the opera, but could have been a bit better. Elsa van der Heever as Mary was the best thing about this performance. Her singing and acting were very good. Peter Mattei as Wozzeck was good. There should have been a bit more despair and more chemistry between Marie and Wozzeck. The final scene usually hits, but this time it did not. Overall, not the best Wozzeck for me. Could have hit more.6/10.
Dear Brother
(1991–1992)
Very good shoujo anime
28 January 2024
Dear Brother (from the same mangaka as Rose of Versailles) tells about the girl called Nanako, who is chosen to be a member of sorority of Seiran Academy, despite not being exactly qualified for the position of a member. I love Nanako. She is sweet, kind and honest,like most shoujo heroines . This may be a shoujo, but it deals with some very serious topics. I loved Rei and Kaoru as characters a lot too! The animation is great for the early 90s. Voice actors really did a very good job as well with all of the characters. This anime is going to make you feel a lot of emotions. Overall, very good. 8/10.
The Rose of Versailles
(1979–1980)
Very good historical fiction piece
21 December 2023
During the late 18th century,a young woman is born as a sixth and youngest daughter of an army general. Her father names her Oscar and raises her as a boy .Oscar later becomes a commander of the Royal Guards and confidant of Marie Antoinette. The story takes place before and during the French Revolution. Since this is a fictional story,many events are made up,while some actually happened. For the anime made in 1979 and 1980,Rose of Versailles has a nice animation. The character of Oscar is truly great,she is loyal, brave and very fierce. The finale is touching and emotional. Rose of Versailles is also very influential still,due to its influence on shoujo that came later. Overall,this is a very good and emotional shoujo .9/10.
Very good Lucia di Lammermoor
18 November 2023
Lucia di Lammermoor is Donizetti's masterpiece. This production was first seen with Anna Netrebko as Lucia in the theatres. It sets the opera during the Victorian era. Sets and costumes look good. Ludovic Tezier makes for a very scheming ,yet sympathetic Enrico(Henry). The highlight,like in 2009 Met Lucia with Netrebko was the tenor playing Edgardo(Edgar). Joseph Calleja has a good voice and he acts very good too,especially in the final scene. Natalie Dessay as Lucia(Lucy)was the weak link. She is great in her acting ,but in 2011 she was past her prime vocally. Her retirement was in 2013 (I do remember her from 2012 Met La Traviata ,opposite Matthew Polenzani,where she was very weak vocally too). Overall,very good Lucia,though Dessay is past her prime vocally .9/10.
Maid Sama!
(2010–2011)
Very good shoujo
18 November 2023
Maid Sama tells the story of Misaki Ayizawa ,a girk who works as a student council president at Seika High,a school which only recently became co-ed(it was all boys school previously),but also has a part time job as a maid. Usui Takumi,her classmate,discovers aboit it and promises to keep her secret. The final episode was adorable,but definetely makes you want more. I loved the voice actors,especially Nobuhiko Okamoto as Usui. The chemistry is very good! Misaki is a very strong girl who holds to her primcipals. This shoujo anime is one of its studio most popular and I can definetely see why. Overall,very good anime and woukd reccomend to read the manga,since it is completed.8,5/10.
Truly great Semiramide
13 November 2023
Semiramide is not one of Rossini's most popular operas,but it is a very good opera. This 1990 Met production was so good .I loved the sets and costumes of it. They bring the spirit of the story. The biggest dynamic is between Semiramide and Arsace and their actresses did a great job. June Anderson is truly great as Semiramide in both voice and acting. Marilyn Horne as Arsace I consider the highlight of the production. Samuel Ramey as Assur was also very good . The final scene of Semiramide is moving. Overall,in my opinion one of the best productions of Semiramide by Rossini. This was a great watch.9/10.
Truly amazing La Cenerentola
12 November 2023
La Cenerentola(Cinderella) is one of the sweetest opera I know .This 1997 Met production is my favorite Cinderella. Sets and costumes look very beautiful here. Cecilia Bartolli sings and looks very beautiful here. Fun fact is that she is a coloratura mezzo soprano,a very rare voice type ,so she sang soprano and mezzo roles too .Ramon Vargas looks and sings very good as Ramiro,the prince. Younger Alessandro Corbelli is pretty good as Dandini. Everyone looks like they are having fun. I absolutely adore the dynamics and how everyone is enjoying. Out of the 3 Met production of Cinderella I have seen (1997,2009 and 2014),this one is my favorite.9/10.
Very good and sweet La Cenerentola
31 October 2023
La Cenerentola(Cinderella)is an opera by Rossini. Despite not being that popular,it is a very nice opera. This production is immensely fun ,especially the dinner scene and gives a fairytale like vibes. Joyce DiDonato as Angelina(Cinderella)is very sweet and sings beautifully in the title role(Angelina is one of the leading mezzo soprano roles). Juan Diego Florez is handsome and sings nicely as Don Ramiro,the prince. Allesandro Corbelli as Don Magnifico brings out the nastiness,without ever becoming too much off a buffon. Pietro Spagnelli is good as Dandini,the valet .In this opera,Dandini,is the fairy like figure. Overall,very hgood production and slightly better than 2009 Cinderella.7/10.
One of the best Met productions
31 October 2023
Das Rheingold is the first part of the Ring of the Niebelungen. Wagner did his best in composing of this work. This production has beautiful sets and costumes, fitting for every character. The music is amazing and brings the drama to the audience. I enjoyed every singer in this production. Bryn Terfel as Wotan and Eric Owens as Alberich especially were amazing. The others, especially Loge (Locke) were very good! The ending is open, because it is the first part of the quartet of operas. Overall, truly an amazing and riveting production of The Rhein Gold. I really enjoyed it and it was truly well done and with love. 10/10.
86
(2021–2022)
Beautiful and touching anime
29 October 2023
86 tells the story about the Republic of Ssn Magnolia,which has been at war with another country for 9 years now. They have machines which they tell are operated automstically,but are in fact operated by people of color,which they prosecuted and called 86. The new Handler becomes Lena. I love how both Lena and Shin represent the new hope in the world and never give up. The animation is beautiful and lovely. The anime animated the first 3 volumes and despite the beautiful ending and meeting of Shin and Lena,you definety want more of the story. The voice actors are pretty good.86 as a story is beautiful and touching. Read the light novel series too.9/10.
Snow White with the Red Hair
(2015–2016)
Very good and sweet shoujo
27 October 2023
Snow White with the red hair is a shoujo I really enjoyed. It tells about a young woman called Shirayuki,a herbalist from Tanbarun. A prince of the kingdom heard about her unique red hair and Shirayuki flees the country when he demands she becomes his concubine. She meets a prince of the neighbouring kingdom called Zen. Zen and Shirayuki eventually fall in love. The animation is really lovely and fits the story. Studio Bones did a lot of famous anime like Fullmetal Alchemist(both 2003 and Brotherhood),BSD ,MHA and Vanitas no Carte. Shirayuki and Ouran are two of their most famous shoujo. I loved Saori Hayami as Shiyaruki and Ryota Ohsaka as Zen. Overall,adorable and beautiful take on Snow White. Read the manga as well .9/10.
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