Elixir Movie Reviews

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Family movie reviews for "Elixir" sorted by average review score:
Donizetti - L'Elisir d'Amore (The Elixir of Love) / Pido, Alagna, Gheorghiu, Opera National de Lyon
Released in DVD by Universal Music & VI (09 April, 2002)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Director: Brian Large
With dazzling star turns by the real-life husband-and-wife team of soprano Angela Gheorghiu and tenor Roberto Alagna, this 1996 production of Donizetti's frothy romantic comedy L'Elisir d'amore ("The Elixir of Love") is a must for any opera fan. Their many detractors seem merely jealous of their stupendous success, because--at least on the evidence of this performance--Gheorghiu and Alagna have the voices, the acting skill, and (last but not least) the looks to sustain their international superstardom. Ably supporting the star couple are Roberto Scaltriti, Simone Alaimo, and Elena Dan; Frank Dunlop's clever production overcomes its needless updating to the 1920s with colorful sets and costumes. In the pit and giving Donizetti's score an agile reading are conductor Evelino Pido and the Lyon National Opera Orchestra and Chorus.

A especially welcome DVD bonus treat is the 52-minute film "Love Potion," which goes behind the scenes of the production. Fans of Gheorghiu and Alagna will particularly relish their favorites as they engagingly talk about their parts in the opera... in English, French, and Italian. --Kevin Filipski

Average review score:

Poor
Perhaps I am spoiled because I saw a world class performance of this opera in the Teatro Colón. This performance however doesn't come close.

While it is professional, it is not world class. The recording mix is poor, and it wouldn't surprise me if it weren't mixed at all. The result is that the symphony often drowns out the vocalists. The camera work is poor too, but overall it is just a poor production.

As to the technical aspects, the format cuts out the right and left sides so as to fit on a tv screen. I was also extremely disappointed that though the opera is sung in Italian, there are no Italian subtitles.

The fact that it was filmed in Lyon and not somewhere like Milan should say it all. You go to Lyon for a gourmet meal - not for the opera.

This is A Great Preformance!
I am 12 years old and a big opera fan. I absolutly love this preformance. The camera angles are great, there are some funny parts, the preformers are great singers and actors, and Roberto Alanga is so cute. I don't see how anybody can't love it.

Great Fun and Great Melodies
Wonderful singing and acting. There's real chemistry between the two leads--helped, I am sure by the fact that they are married. To my tastes, the audio and video are just fine. This opera is pitched at just the right level to deliver the most at its comic moments.

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