Shostakovich: Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk (Opus Arte)

[hwhap13]

This is the best opera on DVD I've seen in years! Eva-Maria Westbroek is smashing all 3 hrs. Seryozha [Christopher Ventris] is amazing too. The entire cast is great. The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is nothing less than stunning.

Shostakovich rocks! If it was no for fear of Stalin, he would have written many more operas. (One reason more to hate Stalin :)

[olga2809]

I saw Westbroek in Amsterdam, too. I adore this music

[lilastabilo]

what a compelling music - and westbroek just brilliant

[LJBSasha]

Yes, Ms. Westbroek has a very fine voice and Shostakóvich's music is positively MARVELLOUS!!!

HOWEVER, Mariss Jansons is not the best for Russian music (hear Rostropóvich's recording for what's probably the best rendering of this opera!!), while the visual part of this entire production is an utter ABOMINATION!!!!

Somebody, please: if possible, let's see Ms. Westbroek in a TRADITIONAL, proper production of this opera done with complete fidelity to all the directions in the score!!!

[mrp3co]

eva rulez!

[Empereur81]

She is BREATHTAKING!!! I saw her live as Sieglinde from Wagner's Die Walkürie and she was just MAGNIFICENT!! I loved every note she sang and just when you though that she had given absolutely everything, her voiced opened up and more glorious tone poured forth. INCREDIBLE and also a SPECTACULAR actress...very compelling on stage. Please post more or her as this is just and hors d'oeuvre of her. She is also a wonderfully lovely person. The next Birgit Nilsson is what I think.

[hwhap13]

She sang Elisabeth in the new production of Tannhauser in Paris (Carsen + Ozawa + Gould), and she was incredible too.

[WitweBegbick]

Saw her live in this performance in Amsterdam. Absolutely fantastic! Amazing voice,great actress!

[cvmostert]

palizia! great opera...

[tzhdu]

What a lovely, pure tone Westbroek has - a pity there isn't more here -