[.ca] Verdi - La Forza del Destino / Leontyne Price, Giuseppe ...

From Amazon.com:
For much of the late 20th century, Leontyne Price was the leading exponent of Verdi's heroic soprano roles--among the most demanding vocal and dramatic categories in opera. One of her specialties was Leonora, the tormented heroine in La forza del destino (The Power of Fate). Her classic performance, combined with some of Verdi's most soaring and energetic music, did much to justify this flawed but compelling masterpiece--a thud-and-blunder melodrama about war, duels, violent death, guilt, vengeance, and concealed identities in which, following a tried and true operatic formula, nearly everybody dies at the end. There are also comic scenes. A Metropolitan Opera production of La forza del destino starring Leontyne Price should be a basic item in any collection seriously dedicated to Verdi. This would be an even better production if it had been recorded earlier, when her voice was richer and more precisely controlled, but it is clearly a case of better late than never. The supporting cast is capable and sometimes exciting, but frankly no match for the all-star ensemble supporting Renata Tebaldi and Franco Corelli in a 1958 performance at the San Carlo Opera in Naples available only on VHS. That production is filmed in black and white; no subtitles are provided and the video's technical quality is primitive. But it captures the opera's emotional energy and epic scope. --Joe McLellan

A 'Historic' Forza to Own:"La Splendissima" LIVE on VHS/DVD:
A 'Historic' Forza to Own: "La Splendissima " on DVD I attended this performance, and even allowing for individual quibbles with various artists heard on this DVD, I believe the sum of its parts are well worth the 'PRICE' of owning it. This performance,taped live on a Saturday AFTERNOON in 1983, presents the great American diva, soprano Leontyne Price in one of her most famous Verdi roles. Her performance, factoring in age(57), career(30+ yrs),& the AFTERNOON, is late vintage Price. Vocal mannerisms- a'cloudy' lower voice, sliding'portamenti', and'scooping'-are indeed present in this performance (as they were since the late '70s to some degree.)They, however, hardly diminish either the vocal or dramatic impact that Ms. Price brings to this live performance. Her upper register, slightly weaker than before, still rings out minus any wobble and/or false pitches. She sings with beautiful dynamic shadings to accentuate the drama, and still floats pianissimi with little obvious effort. Also,in this particular opera, most often those "mannerisms" work quite well dramatically, and always have for this artist! Indeed, her performance here is heartfelt and quite moving. As there are no other full-length taped opera performances available commercially of this legendary soprano, this DVD is all the more treasurable for a glimpse of what made her the reigning Verdi soprano for the past 40 yrs! Tenor Giuseppe Giacomini sings crudely, giving a loud, unsubtle, but dramatically believable portrayal of "Alvaro", complete with ringing high notes. Vocally, L. Nucci is a lightweight Verdi baritone, whose exciting vocalism is abetted by his acting, and HIS thrilling high notes as well. Mezzo I. Jones acts well, looks lovely, but is barely adequate vocally, with a weak 'middle voice' & a short 'top'. Basso B. Giaotti's acting is somewhat stolid, but his voice is authoritative and also is beautifully produced. Maestro J.Levine's love & mastery of this sprawling masterpiece (hear the RCA CD version with Price/Domingo/Milnes) is evident throughout, providing the inherent contrasts between searing, 'private' dramas, and all the lively interludes that occur on the battlefield and in the countryside. Overall,a fine VHS/DVD to own - not the Best taped performance (Tebaldi, Corelli, etc 1959)- but a Special one for those seeking a cohesive, modern performance of "La Forza del Destino" and starring one of its most celebrated artists, "La Splendissima" soprano Leontyne Price, LIVE!! Note: A "cut" (the Soldier's Chorus) while regrettable, is hardly FATAL. Enjoy. "EBOLENE"

The best "La forza" I know so far...:
The best "La forza" I know so far..., Tragic, amazingly performed and unforgettebly staged. Very nice.

La Forza Del Destino:
This is the first DVD opera conducted by James Levine in which we have been disappointed. Ms. Price is too mature to play the part and there is a lack of vitality in the production. A poor choice of cast in our opinion.

A Tribute to a true Diva:
Although La forza del destino is not my favorite opera by Verdi, it does showcase Leontyne Price's magnificent voice. At times it almost seemed as if the composer had written it for her. As for the DVD, it is wonderful to be able to view the opera singers up close (something one never sees on the stage, even with opera glasses)and see the emotion on their faces. The lighting was quite dramatic, although I was a bit disappointed in the sets and expected much more from the Met (as I have seen far better and grander sets at the local operas where I live). All in all though, I highly recommend this DVD to anyone who admires Leontyne Price, as well as to anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to see her perform. Brava!

A 'Historic' Forza to Own: "La Splendissima " on DVD:
I attended this performance, and even allowing for individual quibbles with various artists, heard on this DVD, I believe the sum of its parts are well worth the 'PRICE' of owning it. This performance,taped live on a Saturday AFTERNOON in 1983, presents the great American soprano Leontyne Price in one of her most renowned Verdi roles. Her performance,factoring in age (57),career (30+ yrs), and AFTERNOON,is late vintage Price.The vocal mannerisms mentioned by previous "reviewers" are indeed present in this performance(as they were in most since 1975 to some degree.) However, they hardly diminish either the vocal or dramatic impact that this splendid soprano brings to this live performance. Her upper register still rings out minus any wobble and/or false pitch. She sings with beautiful dynamic shadings to accentuate the drama, and still floats pianissimi with little obvious effort. Also,in this particular opera, most often those "mannerisms" work quite well dramatically, and always have for this artist! As there are no other full-length taped opera perf. available commercially of this legendary soprano, this DVD is all the more treasurable for a glimpse of what made her the reigning Verdi soprano of the last 40 years! No soprano TO DATE has come close to her supreme standard/domination in this music, since the reign of Zinka Milanov. Tenor G. Giacomini gives an unsubtle,loud,but dramatically believable portrayal of "Alvaro". Vocally,L. Nucci is a lightweight Verdi baritone,who nonetheless sings excitingly and acts well. Mezzo I. Jones acts well,looks lovely,and sings neither. B.Giaotti is somewhat stolid, but the voice is authorative and beautifully produced. Maestro J.Levine has always brought great life to this opera, and does so in this performance. All,in all, a fine DVD to own, not the Best taped performance (Tebaldi, Corelli,etc 1959), but a Special one for those seeking a cohesive, modern performance of a great Verdi opera with one of its most celebrated portrayers LIVE! Note: The "cut" is regrettable, but hardly FATAL. Enjoy. "EBOLENE"