Puccini - Il Trittico

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some good; some bad
Il Trittico is one of those problematic productions. In my case, I enjoy Gianni Schicchi enough to endure the first two which I find very taxing because they are such downers. This production is so unique and beautiful however, that even they are enjoyable and make Schicchi even more welcome when it comes up. The singers are very good indeed and they have been given superb recorded sound and video quality.

Three wonderful Operas and One Masterpiece
To the aim an audio-visual assembly that does justice to this lyrical monument. Surpassing to by the other commendable version of the Scala of Milan, star flood (Sass, Cappuccilli, Plowright, Pons, among others); this version of the theater Comunale de Modena impeccably displays the three pieces that separately, as lamentably it appears sometimes in the scenes, are worthy in their own merit, but that together in the order wanted by Puccini, they obtain a powerful, stirring effect and that grows implacably in the development of the day. Indeed, at the outset we have the history of the Tabarro, perfect in dramatic and full progression of the details so wanted by the author (songs outside the scene, parallel actions, lovely secondary personages, smallness), until arriving at the atrocious crime in the middle of our compassion to all the protagonists. We continue with the history of Suor Angelica, exquisite music with a gallery of adorable secondary feminine voices and the doublet: Love of Mother - Divinity, that affects until the tears with the final miracle (deplored sometimes, laboriously omitted as in the case of the version of La Scala) inevitable with the progression of the text and the supernatural music of sensitivity never before written by the author. Already won, we attended the gift of Gianni Schicchi with its healthy humor, of vertiginous action and a robust affection that cheers until the wonderful end with the greeting to the Master Dante and the "extenuating one to us" of the adorable loafer. In this version there are no recognized stars internationally and less divos, and nevertheless everything works very well, emphasizing the Amarilli Nize that dispatches the three protagonists without problems and with characterizations very adapted without problems with the tesietura (unlike the Stratas in version of the MET), although in the Suor Angelica it does not arrive at the implicancia level that the Plowright (version the Scala). In as much, the baritone Alberto Mastromarino assumes without complexes the Michelle (with the terrible competition of Cappuccilli-Scala and Pons-Met), with the suitable identification with the stormy protagonist of the Tabarro and an outstanding action, whereas with the Gianni and his look of Capo of the Mafia, develops authoritarian as his personage surpassing to Pons must (this one time in version of La Scala). Mezzo soprano Amarilli Nice is overwhelming in its three interventions: The Frugola, the Zia Principessa, and the Zita. The tenors have great competition, and although nobody can with Placido Domingo in the Tabarro (version MET) the Luigi de Rubens Pelizzari fulfills and convinces in its erotic implicancia with Giorgetta-Nice, whereas Andrea Giovannini is simply perfect like Rinuccio. It emphasizes the stage scenes, clothes (particularly inspired the one of Gianni with his references it seems me that the personages of the Commedia Of the Art), and the particularly suitable televising handling to the action (some seen unpublished of the romance and crime of the Tabarro and additions the architecture and stairs of the monastery of Suor Angelica). That we waited for a labor of this height for one of the majors works of Puccini and, it long ago yes tenth, of the history of the musical theater.

no Florez here
I asked for DVDs with Juan Diego Florez in the cast and this came up. I don't find Florez here anywhere. Does anyone else? If not, why would Amazon waste my time offering up this DVD? Can't Amazon read?

Wonderful Trittico
Giacomo Puccini is very well served in this production of Il Trittico. I've never had the luxury of seeing all three operas together. I saw Suor Angelica in San Francisco around 1990 with Leona Mitchell (paired with I Pagliacci) and Gianni Schicchi in Los Angeles a couple of years ago with Samuel Ramey (paired with Bartok's Blubeard's Castle). When I watched this video, I was not expecting Renata Scotto or any of the others. Amarilli Nizza more than holds her own vocally and dramatically, as well as the uniformly good cast. The singing, conducting, staging & video quality are all excellent. I had never heard of any of the cast members, but the first couple of 5 star reviews encouraged me to order this DVD. And I am so glad to have seen it and to add my own 5 stars. I for one am not pining for that elusive past golden age, but rather grateful for the high quality of what is available today. However, I must confess that I hope the Met will release the Scotto Trittico on DVD one of these days. "Madonna salvami."

Mr. Birman got it right except the soprano's name
You had two reviews - one long and very good (with one minor error) and a short one that was written by someone who did not watch the video and credited another conductor. Mr. Birman got it right in general. I would disagree with the assessment of the soprano. I think she is in way over her head. If you love O Mio Babbino Caro and Senza Mamma, listen elsewhere. If she was so good, where was the applause? She got none. The baritone got bravos. I have heard Hai ben Raggione sung much better also. Overall, a good, fresh approach and appreciated here.