Huguenots DVD

 Good performanance and good DVD quality.
Sorry, no subtitles in fench, but good performance and good DVD quality. Regards. CM.
Submitted by mouchet.claude (LYON, FRANCE) 
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 The past recollected
This is a performance of one of the major operatic works of the first half of the nineteenth century. Unlike the only current DVD rival, a contentious 20th century Berlin updating on Arthaus, this performance is located, as the composer intended, in France in 1572. There are nonetheless drawbacks: this is a Joan Sutherland Gala Farewell with the artist in less than impressive vocal form, not really surprising at the end of a long career; the confined stage of the Sydney Opera House does not allow for the kind of spectacle intended; there are inevitable cuts; the legendary requirement of a ‘night of six stars’ is not really achieved, since this is the Australian Opera (and not the Met) in 1990. Nonetheless there are pleasures along the way. The sets and costumes are attractive. The principals usually acquit themselves admirably in fiendishly difficult music. And there are moments, particularly in Act 4 (here run into Act 5), where one is left in no doubt why Meyerbeer was so highly regarded in his own day, even if, for various reasons, he has since fallen onto hard times. Do not expect idealised perfection, but, in an imperfect world, this is a DVD that lovers of 19th century opera would be foolish to ignore.
Submitted by a reviewer (Bristol, United Kingdom) 
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