Puccini;Giacomo 1983 Turandot

This Harold Prince production of Turandot, recorded in 1983 from the Vienna State Opera, is a welcome addition to the DVD catalogue. With little already available on DVD featuring the three protagonists (Marton, Ricciarelli and Carreras), fans will not be disappointed. This performance marked Eva Marton's debut as Turandot and she is secure vocally, soaring over the orchestra and chorus when required, making it an easy sing, compared with other sopranos essaying the role. I prefer her MET Opera performance from 1987 featuring Placido Domingo as she had developed a greater understanding of the part. Jose Carreras and Katia Ricciarelli hold their own as Calaf and Liu respectively, with Carreras overshadowing Domingo vocally, even though the role stretches him a bit. Lorin Maazel expands the opening chords severely, but the VSO Orchestra and Chorus shine under his baton. The sound could be improved in a few places, but this recording is a welcome addition to the DVD catalogue.

This Turandot contrasts wonderfully with the other top Turandot on the market: the 1987 Zeffirelli production at the MET. It is so different in almost every way--musically, the production, singers etc. However, I would have to say that the MET production is probably a better choice for one's very first Turandot, though I would not want to be without this one. Compared to Zeffirelli's production, Prince's staging is seemingly minimalist, and the drama comes through in a much more uncluttered way. Maazel offers an excitingly detailed performance, offering nuance and grandeur. Levine's conducting is adequate--he basically holds it together and keeps it moving, but that's about it. I prefer Marton in this production, if only because her performance is steadier and more brilliant. However in my opinion, domingo wins over carreras hands down, despite the cracked high C. Carreras simply cannot muster the power for the role, though I suppose that weakness is not as evident on DVD. Interestingly, even carreras eschews the optional high C. Ricciarelli certainly cannot compete with leona mitchell, whose liu is more expressively and accurately sung, and better acted. Ricciarelli's decline is already evident at this point in her career. Overall I would say if you had to pick only one or if you are buying it for the first time on DVD, go for the MET production. It's more traditional, a bit more cohesive, and certainly a sight worth seeing. This dvd, is a very very close second choice, with wonderful conducting by Maazel, an interesting production and Eva Marton in fresher voice.

I have been waiting for this particular production to go to DVD for 25 years! I have the production on VHS, but the video quality is so improved now that it is digital.

Carerras (pre-cancer)and Marton and the rest of the cast are wonderful; the sets are astonishingly fabulous; BUT the singing and, in particular, the staging of Ping, Pang and Pong in Act II is beyond belief in its originality and sheer cleverness.

I can not recommend this production enough. To those that have other productions...sorry, this is a keeper for lovers of Turandot.

If you don't buy it, you may lose your head. Rather lose your head and order this DVD. You won't be sorry.