Rigoletto: The Wiener Philharmoniker (Chailly) [Blu-ray] [2014] [Region Free]

“Rigoletto” is filmed in natural and actual places and not in a opera theater, which makes it much more attractive, it has some kind of a Fellini feeling especially in the first act, which reminded me a little of “Satyricon” and “Roma” All singers make a fantastic job both in singing and acting, in 1982 Pavarotti was at the high of his powers and his “La dona é mobile” has become iconic.The voice quartet «Bella figlia dell’ amore» sung right after «La donna é mobile” between The Duke (Pavarotti), Maddalena (Vergara), Gilda (Gruberova) and Rigoletto (Wixell) is beautifully and dramatically sung. While The Duke is seducing a rejoicing Maddalena, Gilda whom The Duke had promised eternal love, hears with pain together with Rigoletto.The French author Victor Hugo had written some years before the drama “Le roi s’amuse” that Giuseppe Verdi adapted for his opera without asking for permission assisted to the opera piece in Paris, was both resented and curious because his own drama had been forbidden in France, it didn’t pass the censorship, besides he considered it an act of plagiarism for in those times there were no author copyrights. Well, he got so marveled with enthusiasm after he heard this quartet that he just forgot all about copyrights and plagiarism issues. He was especially infatuated with how Verdi’s music in this quartet allows that the emotions of these 4 different characters can be heard all at the same time and yet be clearly distinguished one from the other. He wished he could sometime in the future achieve the same effect in drama. Highly recommended.

This is the third version of Rigoletto that I have watched, and, although I know the story by now, it reduced me to tears. The performance by Ingvar Wixell was so moving, and his appearance so sad, that for this alone I awarded the five stars. However, the filming on location was also inspired, and made the story even more convincing and realistic. I had previously watched the Bregenz lakeside version, and thought that the setting, costumes, and sets were creative and a brilliant technological achievement, and they could not be bettered, but I was very impressed with the buildings and riverside in this version.Pavarotti was stunning, and his voice could not be bettered, in my opInion. Edita Gruberova was very good, too. The picture and sound quality were perfect. Fortunately a masterpiece of opera needs different versions, otherwise we would buy only one. I shall look forward to my fourth Rigoletto when the DVD arrives.

This is a filmed version of Verdi’s Rigoletto. The staging of Jean-Pierre Ponnelle is excellent. Highly imaginative, accurate to Verdi’s story and filmed in the actual palace and river where the story is supposed to take place. This is a very atmospheric version of the opera, beyond of what can normally be presented in a theatre. The blu-ray image is crisp and the sound very good.This must be Pavarotti’s best performance on record, both visually and vocally. There simply is nobody else to come even close to him on the role of the duke. Wixell sings a convincing Rigoletto, but nothing to write home about. Gruberova is simply dull.Riccardo Chailly is not my favourite conductor, but the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra plays as usual superbly. This is an excellent version of Rigoletto, highly recommended.The far more recent (2001) version from the Arenna di Verona with Leo Nucci as Rigoletto, is better sung and better acted than all the corresponding counterparts on this disc, with the big exception of the duke. As I said nobody can touch Pavarotti on this role!

I borrowed this years ago and later wanted this in my opera collection since it is a good memory of the fine and powerful voice of Pavarotti. it is a film that is made in several locations in Northern Italy that evoke the settings of each part of the opera. It is a sparkling production in which the singers are excellent. Their acting skills, particularly by Ingvar Wixell, as Rigoletto, are very good. I would have preferred a younger Gilda than Gruberova but her silken voice suits the role. The pace of the music is fast compared to other versions of this opera that I have heard which makes a more exciting film but, for me, loses the sense of gravity of the music. I recommend this DVD to opera lovers and at the price paid, was very good value.

This wasn't really to our taste. You cannot fault the singing but there only seemed to be only two decent tunes in the whole opera. We weren't impressed with the libretto and the whole plotline was gloomy and as usual, ended in tears.

I am loving this film. The music is just great, and sound is perfect. First I am watching it with the subtitles in English so I understand the nuances of the story that I have missed watching it live, and next I am going to watch it with Italian subtitles so that I can sing along!

Pavarotti at his best … Gruberova as well… imaginative production with an occasional twist of Fellini

I have to confess to being a Pavarotti fan and also that Rigoletto is my favourite opera of all time - this is wonderful being able to watch it and listen to a fairly young Pavarotti singing some of his most well known arias. I wish I’d discovered it sooner.