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Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786304413456
Format: Classical, NTSC
ISBN: 6304413459
Label: Bel Canto Society
Manufacturer: Bel Canto Society
Number Of Discs: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Bel Canto Society
Release Date: November 19, 1996
Sales Rank: 80406
Studio: Bel Canto Society
Theatrical Release Date: October 13, 1947
Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
It would have been better, of course, if this 1984 production of Donizetti's Anna Bolena, or at least its title role, had been filmed 20 years earlier, when Joan Sutherland's voice was in its spectacular prime. But like her Canadian Opera Norma, dating from 1981, this is a better-late-than-never documentation of one of the most remarkable voices of the 20th century.
Lotfi Mansouri spared no effort or expense in making this production special. He personally directed the staging, and handpicked an outstanding cast (right down to the very young and then-unknown Ben Heppner in the small role of Hervey). The visual elements--sets, costumes, and camera work--are also handled with great care, and Sutherland's positive response to this dedication can be sensed in her performance as the unfortunate wife of King Henry VIII. James Morris is best-known as a Wagnerian singer--perhaps the leading Wotan of our time--but he is equally at home in many of the villainous roles that are the fate of bass- baritones (Iago, Scarpia, Don Giovanni). In this sinister tale of an innocent woman ruthlessly destroyed, he shows a surprising knack for the bel canto style. Judith Forst is also excellent in the role of Jane Seymour. --Joe McLellan
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - The Greatest Lucia Ever
Anna Moffo is Lucia!! By comparison, the rest of the cast stunk. In spite of the handicap, this is a 5-star performance. I was privileged to see Anna Moffo perform live in the Chicago Opera House as Lucia in 1957. That was immediately after her television triumph in Italy as Madama Butterfly (1956, her Fulbright Scholarship years). Immediately after her Mad Scene, there was another mad scene. This time it was the audience who went mad - an unheard-of 10 minutes of screaming ovation. That was ... Read More
Rating:  - Moffo Is Past Her Prime Here....
When this film began, I thought I was going to love it because the cinematography of landscape and castles added so much to the overture. The baritone sang next, and he was quite good. Then came Anna Moffo, looking positively anorexic, her good looks practically a thing of the past due to, I presume, excessive dieting. Worse, she struggled with her high notes, and her high D's and E-flat were little short of strained screams--very unpleasant to listen to. What a pity this film was not made ... Read More
Rating: - Solid, eloquent but doesn't fire the blood
Dame Joan Sutherland first essayed the role of Anna Bolena in Canada 1984, of which this release captures. Of all the female singers in any of these performances under review, Dame Joan's technique and vocal means is far and away the most superior - natch, she leaves the competition in the proverbial dust. Here nearing sixty, La Stupenda's customary coloratura zip and ease of technique are as impressive as ever. Scalework is a snap, trills deftly incorporated, not to mention the fullness and "largeness" ... Read More
Rating: - Saved by La Moffo
We'll have to keep in mind that this is probably a made-for-TV effort that hasn't taken too much trouble or money to produce. It's very static and stagey (even by operatic standards), it's mostly badly mimed and badly acted. Where you'd expect mood lighting, there's constant full blaze, and where you'd expect people to react to the misery of Lucy, they just either turn away or burst into poorly coreographed swordfight. The direction is very, very poor. The picture and sound quality is mediocre, mostly because ... Read More
Rating: - Anna Moffo - an American-bred opera legend!
It is my opinion that Anna Moffo was the greatest American soprano. Unfortunately, she was under-rated and under-appreciated. Yes, there are many fine sopranos like Sutherland, Tebaldi, etc. However, Anna was the total package and what every little girl dreams that a soprano should be. She possessed an incredibly warm and lyrically beautiful voice. And that amazing phrasing and dramatic ability! Lastly, she was blessed with great physical beauty. I absolutely adore her. Anna was the perfect Lucia. This dvd is ... Read More
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