Review of Rossini: La Donna Del Lago (Muti)

Introduction

I suppose it had to happen eventually, and here I am attempting to compose a review after having watched my first Opera. I`m certainly aware of what modern music owes the genre, and I was surprised when I considered just how many of my favourite films have operatic pieces in their soundtracks. Music aside, there is also a lot about the broad brushstrokes of emotion in Opera, the sheer melodrama that certainly lends itself to cinema, and genres like the Western certainly owe something to Opera in that respect. Yet this is the first time that I`ve actually sat down for three hours to watch an Opera in its context, and having no frame of reference I doubt that any critical opinion I would have would accomplish anything other than betraying the depths of my own ignorance. Consequently this review will veer more towards the technical side.

Rossini`s La donna del lago translates as The Lady Of The Lake, and is based on the poem of that name by Walter Scott. The lady in this case is Elena, whose father Douglas rebelled against King James of Scotland. He and his band continue their rebellion against the King, and he has betrothed Elena to the strongest fighter, Roderick. Elena however is in love with another warrior, Malcolm. If this isn`t complicated enough, one day the King is hunting in the forest, disguised of course, and when he encounters the legendary Lady Of The Lake, he too falls passionately in love. This situation will not be resolved without a lot of heartache and anguish.

This Opera was performed by the Teatro Alla Scala in Milan in 1992, and is presented on this disc in two acts.

Video

The disc is Region free and the image is presented in a 4:3 NTSC transfer. The image was disappointing quite frankly, although this is probably down to the original source material than the transfer. The picture isn`t a particularly high resolution, and while it is clear, it has a washed out feel more reminiscent of videotape. The small screen certainly doesn`t do justice to the lavish sets, and more often than not, the players are small and indistinct on the screen.

Audio

The sound is an Italian DD 2.0 Stereo track. However the stereo track is perfectly acceptable in terms of clarity and reproduction. The sound is clear and rich, and the orchestra and the performances are reproduced flawlessly. Naturally, with it being a live performance, you get the acoustics of the theatre and the rare extraneous noise, the stifled cough or the shuffling of feet from the audience. Of course those expecting a Surround track will be disappointed, but the quality of the Stereo isn`t to be sniffed at. English subtitles are provided.

Features

There are no extras on the disc, but slipped inside the case you will find a 24-page booklet, which lists the cast, the DVD chapters, as well as a useful synopsis of the story. Also printed is the libretto in Italian and a reproduction of the poster.

Conclusion

I made it through my first Opera unscathed. I did quite enjoy the experience, although my unfamiliarity with the conventions of Opera may have limited me. Oddly enough, I found the subtitles quite a distraction, and actually preferred to just close my eyes and enjoy the music. Which leads me to my only problem with the disc. I found the visual aspects quite superfluous, of which the poor visual transfer is only one. The reliance on wide shots to get as much of the stage and as many of the players in shot as possible, left much of what was happening indistinct. I suppose that is a problem with capturing a live performance, and I feel that despite the sterling audio on this disc, it is still a pale shadow of actually being in the theatre itself. Again, I`m sure that Opera aficionados will be able to find more meaning than I could in this respect.

I was incorrect when I said that I had no frame of reference with which to judge this disc, as fortunately this was a live performance. Going by the rapturous applause from the audience, and the length of the curtain calls, this performance of La donna del lago was something special indeed.