Verdi: Jerusalem Villarroel, Colombara, Fondary, Momirov, etc The direction is under the auspices of important film directors, who grasp the opportunity for a riot of colourful costumes and over-the-top kitsch in the harem scene, its ballet risible.They seem less interested in directing movement, and the prevailing acting style relies unashamedly on stock gestures in the "stand and deliver" tradition. "Wide screen in the opera!" No possibility here to summarise the twists and turns of the story, with a hero falsely accused of murder, exiled and eventually saved in the nick of time by the remorseful villain who has become a penitent monk, etc etc. What holds you is the succession of gorgeous arias and the substantial contribution of the chorus, who sing lustily whilst mostly standing stiffly as if impervious to the great events in which they are participating. It is a useful reminder of old-time opera traditions before the 'concept' directors took over. Definitely one to collect, but don't show this DVD to sceptical younger people whom you might want to encourage to give opera a try! © peter grahame woolf 2003 |