CLASSIC RECORDINGS FROM ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREAT OPERA HOUSES

Riccardo Muti conducts a fine cast led by Giorgio Zancanaro in the title role of Rossini’s towering and opulent last opera, filmed in 1988, with the Corps de Ballet, Orchestra and Chorus of Teatro alla Scala.

Sung in Italian with English subtitles.

Giorgio Zancanaro, Chris Merritt, Giorgio Surjan, Franco de Grandis, Vittorio Terranova, Alberto Noli, Luigi Roni, Cheryl Studer, Ernesto Gavazzi, Amelia Felle, Ludicana D’Intino
Corps de Ballet, Orchestra & Chorus of Teatro alla Scala / Riccardo Muti
Stage Director Luca Ronconi

Reviews
‘The noble French Grand Opera (sung in Milan in Italian, quite rightly) should be a gain for the DVD catalogue, especially as Muti’s fiery enthusiasm for Rossini informs every bar. It’s one of his Scala triumphs, and some fine singing is on offer, notably from Cheryl Studer’s Mathilde.’
BBC Music Magazine

'Guglielmo Tell is one of those operas only ever performed when a tenor comes along who can sing the fiendishly difficult role of Arnold. At the time this was recorded, that singer was the American tenor Chris Merritt who makes the top D flats seem as easy as shelling peas. Giorgio Zancanaro is a formidable Tell, Cheryl Studer sings Matilde and there’s a lively Jemmy from Amelia Felle. Muti drives it on.'
Opera Now

’This 1988 production of Guglielmo Tell formerly appeared as an audio-only release on the Philips label. Apparently those CDs are out of print, but it doesn't matter much, as they are supplanted by this pair of DVDs, which are being sold for the price of a single DVD. In other words, this is an inexpensive way to add this opera to your collection, cheaper than either of the CD sets one still can easily find – those conducted by Gardelli (EMI Classics) and Chailly (Decca)…
This opera premiered in Paris in 1829, and it is more properly sung in French; here, it is given in the probably more usual Italian. Giorgio Zancanaro's gorgeous and distinctive baritone voice is put to good use as the titular hero. He aptly portrays Tell's noble spirit both with his singing and with his gestures. Cheryl Studer is an aristocratic Matilde…
This live production was taped by Italian television. The TV direction, also by Ronconi, is as static as his stage direction, but at least we are given a good idea of what this production looked like in the actual theater. Acts One and Two are on the first DVD, and Acts Three and Four are on the second. There are no bonus features, but you'll probably be satiated after four hours of the opera itself! There are English subtitles which may be turned off if you so choose. The sound…is either stereo or Dolby Digital. The picture format is 4:3, although the menus are 16:9 anamorphic.
There aren't many opportunities to see Guglielmo Tell, so this DVD release needs to be considered by any curious Rossinian, even if one longs for a production that more excitingly captures this opera's revolutionary spirit. Provisionally recommended, then.’
Classical.net

CAT NO: OA LS3002 D
FORMAT: All Formats
REGIONS: All Regions
PICTURE FORMAT: 4:3
LENGTH: 239 MINS
SOUND: DOLBY STEREO
SUBTITLES: EN
RELEASED: 01/05/2004
NO OF DISCS: 1