Shostakovich: Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk (Opus Arte)

[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!!!

[hwhap13]

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

[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 :)

[mrp3co]

eva rulez!

[cvmostert]

palizia! great opera...

[tzhdu]

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