Great Tchaikovsky Pique Queen Spades Blu ray
I greatly enjoyed this production of Pique Dame. Although I have seen the opera several times on vhs, this blu ray makes the experience far better. The sound is very clear and full, and the colors rich and varied. Sometimes this opera is portrayed darkly throughout, but in this production, there is a marked contrast between the often joyful townspeople, and the tortured principal cast members. The mood shifts back and forth between a love for the good life (as most of the people are from the nobility), and what happens when it gets threatened. Hermann, the soldier, is in love with Lisa, a rich girl engaged to a prince. Amazingly, his love burns so strongly, and is so ardent, that he actually gets Lisa to call off her engagement in one day. But of course things start to go wrong when he sees a chance to get rich through gambling. Misha Didyk sings Hermann. He has a powerful and somewhat unusual tenor, rounded and with not much resonance, but focused with tremendous intensity, almost to the point of going sharp in a few places (this quality reminded me of the great baritone Leo Nucci, who also has the resonance to go with it). The voice never gets out of control, and the result is gripping, thrilling. Emily Magee as Lisa has a rich, warm, big soprano voice, and I greatly enjoyed every time see opened her mouth. I agree she's not ultra beautiful, and the close ups of blu ray can reveal any tiny flaw, but she is attractive, and she acts her part with conviction, changing from slightly troubled young rich girl, to the pinnacle of freedom, happiness and love, to abject disillusionment. Ludovic Tezier is elegant as Yeletsky. The opera is almost 3 hours long, so you get a lot for your money. I highly recommend this blu ray.
Get your Tchaikovsky Pique Queen Spades Blu ray Now!
Pikovaia Dama (Queen of Spades) has been my favourite Tchaikovsky opera along with "The Maid of Orleans". I have many fine performances of Pikovaia Dama and whilst they are very good productions; THIS production from Barcelona's Gran Teatre del Liceu TOPS THEM ALL. Not only with an award winning cast, but with every small detail. Costumes, sets, lighting, movement to effects. It does not get any better than this. Who else on this planet could play the countess but Ewa Podles. Her performance is electrifyingly brilliant and her acting ability is second to none. Emily Magee if a formidable Lisa, her voice just fills the theatre and the timbre is perfect for the role. She too can bring you to your knees with her performance. Misha Didyk's Herman is just as commanding, his voice pitched right for the part and frighteningly almost evil to the point of his desperation on knowing the secret of the three cards. Ludovic Tezier's Prince Yeletesky is powerful but not overdone. He is the best I have heard in this role; in fact all principles seem to fit into their respective roles as though Tchaikovsky had written this opera especially for them.
ReplyDeleteI cannot recommend this DVD highly enough.
The staging itself is nothing short of spectacular not to mention the sumptuous costumes, especially the colour format employed.
Special mention should be made to the children in Act One; just charming.
So if you want to transported back in time where dark secrets transform and twist the subconscious mind of a desperate gambler, then Pikovaia Dama is for you.
ReplyDelete