Lakme [Blu-ray]

This is an easy review! WOW says it all in a nut shell. Opera Australia is on a roll: LAKME, TRAVIATA, RIGOLETTO and DON GIOVANNI. All creative, beautiful, colorful and vocally and musically excellent and most of the times more. Not always flawless; but always fascinating and engaging. Many times I'm almost fooled into believing "this is the first time I've experienced this piece" or WOW is that new!1) Emma Matthews-Lakme. She is the real thing a lyric coloratura soprano who has it all: Stunning high E in the Bell Song, Runs, Staccatti, Beautiful Tone, Breath. Legato, Phrasing etc... Did I mention she can act and looks good too!2) Aldo Di Toro-Gerald has a lovely tenore di grazia; It's a shame he can't act. BUT, he can sing!3) Great music direction by Emmanuel Joel-Hornak; and wonderful playing by the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra.4) Fine directing by Roger Hodgman. He treats it as a lovely lyric piece of oriental fluff and doesn't try to make it something it isn't.5) Having now reviewed TRAVIATA, RIGOLETTO, DON GIOVANNI and the present LAKME I find some common threads of themes running throughout all of them: COLOR is used creatively and boldly in both Sets and Costumes. Audio is excellent. Camera work is top tier. The Video director doesn't seem to feel the need to change the angle every four or five seconds as in most of the current MET HD Broadcasts. Close ups are not extreme and hyper in the artists face. The long broad shot is not feared or rejected as being thought to be boring! All is done artistically and with great care and taste.6)Stephen Bennett as Nilakantha does not have easy high notes; but, he is dramatically involved.7) I was not impressed with Luke Gabbedy as Frederic. His voice lacks focus and he doesn't act but is always staring at the Conductor.8) The English trio of ladies: Jane Parkin, Angela Brun and Roxane Hislop couldn't be better.9) Dominica Matthews is also an asset as Malika; especially in the beautiful flower duet.10) A drop dead georgeous score, orchestration and soaring melodies by an often time ignored French composer - Leo Delibes.11) This excellent production is a true feast for eye and ear presented by a company who is making its artistic presence felt. I wish them well because no matter how creative or innovative the production they steer clear of Reggie or Trash and manage to stay true to the Libretto, the Music and The Composer.12) Emma Matthews a local talent trained and developed by Opera Australia HAS ARRIVED as Blu-Ray, DVD and a new recital album on DGG prove beyond a shadow of a doubt. I look forward to seeing how her career progresses and develops. I also look forward to more Colorful and Creative releases from OPERA AUSTRALIA. BRAVI TUTTI!!!13) Just a suggestion. Maybe a creative and well directed LUCIA OR PURITANI next?

I'm inclined to be generous having waited so long for a production of Lakme in full screen with high-resolution picture and sound. For the most part, I'm not disappointed. Emma Mattthews is petite and attractive, with a glorious, note-perfect coloratura. The sets are quite nice combined with thoughtful touches of stage craft. Much attention to authenticity in the costumes adds a sense of beauty and realism.However, the ballet sequences, so appealing in the earlier Sutherland version, have been totally excised. Also, the acting, casting on the part of the male lead, Gerald (Aldo di Toro) is dismal. He has a lovely voice, but he acts as though he happened to pass by and was asked to come on stage to sing with no thought, preparation whatsoever. He might be forgiven in the sense that the story of Lakme and Gerald falling in love with no prelude, no development is itself pretty thin. But all the more need for thoughtful direction in making the most of this scene, which doesn't happen.Frederic (Luke Gabeddy)was not much better, but his role was not as critical. In contrast, all the woman look and act quite well.So, highly recommended for all that is beautiful and right about this production, but be prepared for that which is missing.

There aren't many versions of this beautiful opera on DVD and, as far as I know, this is the only one on BluRay. Waiting for it was worthwhile although this production is not exceptional. The big surprise is Emma Matthews, she acts and she signs beautifully. The famous duet of Lakme and Malika is a treat, as well as the Bell Song. The rest of the cast is OK but not thrilling. This is filmed in front of a live audience, so some of the scenes look not so great in terms of illumination. The settings correspond to the composer and librettist ideas and are a delight to watch. Overall, a very nice experience worth buying the BlueRay version. I just hope other Opera houses will stage and record Lakme in the near future.

I use to by opera BD and DVDs from many countries, all region code free. I do not understand why this BD is restrict to region A. Opera lovers are usually international minded people and so the consumers.

There is more to Lakme than the famous duet of flowers. The opera abounds in wonderful music and some impressive vocal equilibristics. A great performance by Opera Australia.

I have enjoyed watching this opera. It was a good quality performance. I enjoyed seeing it on Blue Ray. It was worth of money.

Realmente me llama mucho la atencion los comentarios de los usuarios con respecto a los aspectos tecnicos de este blu ray.La imagen es muy buena (4,5/5) pero el sonido al menos en mi copia es realmente muy malo (1/5)sonido plano,sin brillo ni armonicos,las voces un poco mejor pero en general muy lejos del promedio de cualquier blu ray,para dar un ej. se encuentra a años luz de "Adriana Lecouvrer" (Decca) o Mahler 8º(Accentus).En cuanto al elenco las cosas mejoran sobre todo por Emma Mathews,no se si en el futuro comprare titulos de la Opera de Australia por lo arriba mecionado.