Great Stars of Opera - Telecasts from the Bell Telephone Hour 1959-1966
|
List Price: $34.95
Our Price: $23.55
Your Save: $ 11.40 ( 33% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Video Artists Int'l
|
Average Customer Rating:  
|
|
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0089948420194
Format: Classical
Label: Video Artists Int'l
Number Of Discs: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Video Artists Int'l
Region Code: 0
Release Date: 2000-11-28
Running Time: 120
Studio: Video Artists Int'l
Theatrical Release Date: 2000
|
|
|
Related Items
|
- Great Stars of Opera, Vol. 2 - Telecasts from the Bell Telephone Hour 1959-1967
- Voices of Firestone: The Great Sopranos / Steber, Price, Tebaldi, Sayao, Nilsson, Moffo, Albanese, Peters, Munsel, Traubel, Sutherland
- Great Stars of the Opera From the Bell Telephone Hour, Vol 3
- Voices of Firestone: The Great Tenors / Bjorling, Corelli, Tagliavini, Tucker, Peerce, Gedda, McCracken, Thomas
- The Art of Singing: Golden Voices of the Century
|
|
|
Spotlight customer reviews:
|
Customer Rating:
Summary: What a gift from "The Bell Telephone Hour"
Comment: "The Bell Telephone Hour" ran from 1959 through 1968. I remember watching many of the programs in that time. A number of these featured operatic performance, some of which are captured on this DVD. As a result, this work is a nice historical time capsule of some of the best singers of that era. As a side note, it is interesting to observe that this was one of the first TV programs to feature color.
Here follow some exemplar cuts:
Renata Tebaldi sings "Un Bel Di," from Puccini's "Madame Butterfly." What a lush voice! This is one of the great sopranos of the 20th century. Clothed in appropriate garb, she does considerable justice to this aria. She also demonstrates a compelling portrait of her character.
Robert Merrill, the wonderful baritone, takes on "Largo al Factotum" from Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia." He has great fun with this well known piece. He sings it at the usual breakneck pace and shows great facility and agility with his singing. This is a most entertaining version.
Nicolai Gedda and Anna Moffo are featured in a cut from "La Traviata," the drinking song, "Libiamo." Gedda's wonderfully mannered voice is well displayed, as is Moffo's rich soprano voice. The two voices intertwine nicely. This is a very satisfying duet.
Leontyne Price demonstrates why she was so well acclaimed, with her version of Verdi's "D'Amour sull'ali Rosee." She displays a nicely textured soprano. She creates a character through her singing. This performance illustrates why she was so highly regarded.
Victoria de los Angeles sings a splendid version of "Si, Mi Chiamano Mimi," from Puccini's "La Boheme." Sweetly sung. She was a soprano with impeccable technique and taste, illustrated nicely here.
Franco Corelli and his wonderful instrument take on "E Lucevan le Stelle" from "Tosca." And what a magnificent instrument! He was one of the finer tenors of the 20th century. The final "la vita" is most poignantly sung.
Birgit Nilsson sings a far too attenuated piece of Brunnhilde's "Immolation Scene" (just a couple minutes" from Wagner's "Gotterdammerung"). What little there is is well sung by one of the best Wagnerian sopranos of her time.
Finally, a real treat. Joan Sutherland's "Mad Scene" from "Lucia di Lammermoor." This is a singer and a part that appear made for one another. From beginning to end, Sutherland sparkles here. Her version of the cabaletta, "Spargi d'amaro pianto" is iconic. It is all here in this 1962 performance. She shows off her wonderful coloratura technique. Trills, staccato singing, other ornamentation, and a final high note all work well. Dame Joan in her prime. . . .
In short, a great DVD in terms of portraying top singers of the 1950s and 1960s in the operatic repertoire.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: "Truly the Golden Age of Opera"
Comment: Allow me to get my 2 negative comments out of the way. 1.The disappointing visual transfer to dvd format.2.The hatchet job done on the 20 minute finale of Wagner's Gotterdammerung.It was condensed into a 2 minute snip-it. As a devoute of the great Birgit Nilson,I was teed off to say the least. That said,on to the kudos.
The roster of artists is an impressive one.The vocal selections are some of the greatest ever written. I have a newfound respect for 2 singers I previously thought overrated, Franco Correlli & Renata Tebaldi.I found each vocally thrilling!
The vocal phenomenon Leontyne Price did not disappoint.Her throne is a secure one. Her vocal superiority will never be surpassed. She is particularly radiant in the Aida segment.
I feel fortunate to own this epitaph to the amazing artistry of these great singers. I can't wait to order the Vol.2!
Customer Rating:
Summary: spectacular!And the sound and picture is good for the period
Comment: This is the one to get if you're on a budget and want to see and hear the greatest singers of the 20th century in their glorious prime. We all have our favorites. But you can't mention divas without mentioning Price, Nilsson, Tebaldi, and Sutherland. All in top form. It was a real treat to see Price sing her Verdi arias so gloriously. She was certainly one of my favorite divas of all time. But then I also think Tebaldi is a contender for the voice of the century. Everyone knows that Nilsson is the Wagnerian soprano of the Century, but can she beat out Joan Sutherland, which mad scene from Lucia may well be one of the most astonishing thing ever to be put on tape. On the male side, my wife went crazy about Franco Corelli's drop dead gorgeous movie star looks. She keeps rewinding that portion of the DVD. I have to admit he is a good looking guy, but I'm more impressed with his superhuman tenor voice. He is probably the tenor of the Century along with Mario Del Monaco.
This is a thrilling opera potpouri that my wife and I can't stop watching. If it was a tape, we would have worn it out months ago! I give it 10 stars!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Greatest opera stars of our time in great forms
Comment: And the sound and picture is superb, very, very clear picture and the sound is stereo. The singing is magnificent. There are no highlights. Everything is wonderful. Sutherland, Corelli, Farrell, Price and Tebaldi. Who can beat these phenomenal singers?
A cheap price for a huge piece of opera history!
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Historical triumph!
Comment: This VHS is supreme! Every single great diva and divo are represented. I find the picture and sound very exceptable. In fact, it's very good for that time period.
The highlights are too many to name. But if I was to name a few, it would be Leontyne Price singing the Verdi arias, Nilsson singing "In questa reggio", Franco Corelli, and Sutherland singing the mad scene for Lucia di Lammermoor.
I admit at being speechless after seeing and hearing Dame Joan perform this role in this tape. In all my life, I've never heard such singing of the most difficult music you can imagine. I know she's supposed to be the greatest coloratura of our time, but I never knew she was ever that good. Sorry for going on and on about this one, but gee, this is beyond praise.
Another interesting point is the different style of fashion and makeup the women had in those days. It's just a hoot.
There are some disappintments also, Callas was not what she was supposed to be. Her Vissi D'arte just wasn't that good.
But all in all, I love this tape, I must have played it a dozen times since I bought it a month ago. Bravo.
|
|
|
Editorial Reviews:
|
Customer Rating:
Summary: What a gift from "The Bell Telephone Hour"
Comment: "The Bell Telephone Hour" ran from 1959 through 1968. I remember watching many of the programs in that time. A number of these featured operatic performance, some of which are captured on this DVD. As a result, this work is a nice historical time capsule of some of the best singers of that era. As a side note, it is interesting to observe that this was one of the first TV programs to feature color.
Here follow some exemplar cuts:
Renata Tebaldi sings "Un Bel Di," from Puccini's "Madame Butterfly." What a lush voice! This is one of the great sopranos of the 20th century. Clothed in appropriate garb, she does considerable justice to this aria. She also demonstrates a compelling portrait of her character.
Robert Merrill, the wonderful baritone, takes on "Largo al Factotum" from Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia." He has great fun with this well known piece. He sings it at the usual breakneck pace and shows great facility and agility with his singing. This is a most entertaining version.
Nicolai Gedda and Anna Moffo are featured in a cut from "La Traviata," the drinking song, "Libiamo." Gedda's wonderfully mannered voice is well displayed, as is Moffo's rich soprano voice. The two voices intertwine nicely. This is a very satisfying duet.
Leontyne Price demonstrates why she was so well acclaimed, with her version of Verdi's "D'Amour sull'ali Rosee." She displays a nicely textured soprano. She creates a character through her singing. This performance illustrates why she was so highly regarded.
Victoria de los Angeles sings a splendid version of "Si, Mi Chiamano Mimi," from Puccini's "La Boheme." Sweetly sung. She was a soprano with impeccable technique and taste, illustrated nicely here.
Franco Corelli and his wonderful instrument take on "E Lucevan le Stelle" from "Tosca." And what a magnificent instrument! He was one of the finer tenors of the 20th century. The final "la vita" is most poignantly sung.
Birgit Nilsson sings a far too attenuated piece of Brunnhilde's "Immolation Scene" (just a couple minutes" from Wagner's "Gotterdammerung"). What little there is is well sung by one of the best Wagnerian sopranos of her time.
Finally, a real treat. Joan Sutherland's "Mad Scene" from "Lucia di Lammermoor." This is a singer and a part that appear made for one another. From beginning to end, Sutherland sparkles here. Her version of the cabaletta, "Spargi d'amaro pianto" is iconic. It is all here in this 1962 performance. She shows off her wonderful coloratura technique. Trills, staccato singing, other ornamentation, and a final high note all work well. Dame Joan in her prime. . . .
In short, a great DVD in terms of portraying top singers of the 1950s and 1960s in the operatic repertoire.
Customer Rating:
Summary: "Truly the Golden Age of Opera"
Comment: Allow me to get my 2 negative comments out of the way. 1.The disappointing visual transfer to dvd format.2.The hatchet job done on the 20 minute finale of Wagner's Gotterdammerung.It was condensed into a 2 minute snip-it. As a devoute of the great Birgit Nilson,I was teed off to say the least. That said,on to the kudos.
The roster of artists is an impressive one.The vocal selections are some of the greatest ever written. I have a newfound respect for 2 singers I previously thought overrated, Franco Correlli & Renata Tebaldi.I found each vocally thrilling!
The vocal phenomenon Leontyne Price did not disappoint.Her throne is a secure one. Her vocal superiority will never be surpassed. She is particularly radiant in the Aida segment.
I feel fortunate to own this epitaph to the amazing artistry of these great singers. I can't wait to order the Vol.2!
Customer Rating:
Summary: spectacular!And the sound and picture is good for the period
Comment: This is the one to get if you're on a budget and want to see and hear the greatest singers of the 20th century in their glorious prime. We all have our favorites. But you can't mention divas without mentioning Price, Nilsson, Tebaldi, and Sutherland. All in top form. It was a real treat to see Price sing her Verdi arias so gloriously. She was certainly one of my favorite divas of all time. But then I also think Tebaldi is a contender for the voice of the century. Everyone knows that Nilsson is the Wagnerian soprano of the Century, but can she beat out Joan Sutherland, which mad scene from Lucia may well be one of the most astonishing thing ever to be put on tape. On the male side, my wife went crazy about Franco Corelli's drop dead gorgeous movie star looks. She keeps rewinding that portion of the DVD. I have to admit he is a good looking guy, but I'm more impressed with his superhuman tenor voice. He is probably the tenor of the Century along with Mario Del Monaco.
This is a thrilling opera potpouri that my wife and I can't stop watching. If it was a tape, we would have worn it out months ago! I give it 10 stars!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Greatest opera stars of our time in great forms
Comment: And the sound and picture is superb, very, very clear picture and the sound is stereo. The singing is magnificent. There are no highlights. Everything is wonderful. Sutherland, Corelli, Farrell, Price and Tebaldi. Who can beat these phenomenal singers?
A cheap price for a huge piece of opera history!
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Historical triumph!
Comment: This VHS is supreme! Every single great diva and divo are represented. I find the picture and sound very exceptable. In fact, it's very good for that time period.
The highlights are too many to name. But if I was to name a few, it would be Leontyne Price singing the Verdi arias, Nilsson singing "In questa reggio", Franco Corelli, and Sutherland singing the mad scene for Lucia di Lammermoor.
I admit at being speechless after seeing and hearing Dame Joan perform this role in this tape. In all my life, I've never heard such singing of the most difficult music you can imagine. I know she's supposed to be the greatest coloratura of our time, but I never knew she was ever that good. Sorry for going on and on about this one, but gee, this is beyond praise.
Another interesting point is the different style of fashion and makeup the women had in those days. It's just a hoot.
There are some disappintments also, Callas was not what she was supposed to be. Her Vissi D'arte just wasn't that good.
But all in all, I love this tape, I must have played it a dozen times since I bought it a month ago. Bravo.
The most spectacular of the 21 operatic excerpts on this two-hour collection of Bell Telephone Hour telecasts is the last and longest--Joan Sutherland singing the Mad Scene from Lucia di Lammermoor--more than 13 minutes of incredible vocalizing, still as fresh and technically dazzling as it was when it was televised in 1962, shortly after her Metropolitan Opera debut in that role. In a sense, video recording was not Sutherland's best medium. She was not a great actress or a conventionally beautiful woman, but the video representation of her slightly awkward stage presence makes her vocal grace and agility sound all the more impressive. Equally historic is a scene from Boris Godunov melodramatically sung by George London shortly after his triumphant Bolshoi debut in that role (though one wishes he had been allowed to sing it in Russian for his American audience). A discovery of sorts is Risë Stevens's performance of a long monologue from Natoma, a long-forgotten opera by Victor Herbert. Leontyne Price looks very young and extraordinarily talented in selections from Il trovatore and Aida; Birgit Nilsson produces great sounds in music from Turandot and Götterdämmerung. The list could go on much longer. The names on the cover of this disc are (except for the unfortunate absence of Maria Callas) virtually a who's who of the leading Metropolitan Opera singers of the late 1950s and early '60s. It would be pleasant to have Galina Vishnevkaya, Christa Ludwig, Cesare Siepi, and Walter Berry as well, but their careers blossomed elsewhere and we must be thankful for what is here--thankful, in particular, that there were once programs on commercial network television that presented material of deep and permanent value. --Joe McLellan
|
|
|
- Ask about this healthcare product "Great Stars of Opera - Telecasts from the Bell Telephone Hour 1959-1966" in the forum
- Give review on this healthcare product "Great Stars of Opera - Telecasts from the Bell Telephone Hour 1959-1966" in the forum
- Search related information in the forum
|
|
|
|
|
|
