Rigoletto

Almost every aspect of this performance is exemplary, even miraculous. The technological achievement is jaw-dropping. The set consists of a large clown puppet emerging from a lake with a head featuring movable (and expressive) eyes as well as a mouth that opens and shuts in the fashion of a ventriloquist's dummy. Stage right is a gigantic hand with fully articulated fingers and thumb. Both the sound and the singing are superb. How the sound technicians managed to provide concert hall ambiance to a live large scale outdoor performance is simply amazing — flawless even. There is absolutely no intrusive noise — you hear the music and the singers only. I won't detail each performer — I will say only that it would be hard to find a better cast from top to bottom anywhere in any era.I did say ALMOST every aspect of the performance was impressive. For me, the clarity of the narrative was sacrificed to the extravagance of the setting. Because the action takes place in the eyes, nose, and mouth of the clown as well as on his collar, on top of his head, in and around his hands, the settings demanded of the libretto can only be suggested at best. There are simply no interiors — no palace, no Sparfucile's house. It's best to have a firm grasp of the story and a willingness to surrender yourself to the directorial conceits before viewing. That said, this is a Rigoletto worth experiencing. You've never seen anything quite like it.My Blu-Ray copy, purchased from the listed seller, is coded ABC, as it the copy pictured (see photo of the back of the case), meaning that it will play in all regions. Amazon is warning of restrictive coding (B/2) Check with seller before ordering if you are not in the code-appropriate region.

An enormous production on a purposely built stage on the lake (literally) is by itself impressive. On top of that the quality of the image and sound recording are perfect, not an easy task indeed. In summary, a great spectacle. An maybe that is the problem with this production, too much emphasis on the spectacle, the visual effects and the acrobatics of singers (and doubles). The libretto is based on a Victor Hugo play where the main character, the buffon Rigoletto’s, life comes apart bit by bit into the ultimate tragedy when he nobody left. This spectacular production alludes to it in its design, but somehow the drama and deep Rigolettos’ pain is lost in the circus and carnival setup. In this production Verdi’s music serves the theater. My personal preference would be when the theater and production serves the music, but that is a personal preference. The spectacle is still impressive and worth watching. A different way of producing a beloved opera.

Staggeringly beautiful on Blu and wow, the production. Saw this in theater and so glad to own.

Unbelievably imaginative. I seldom like weird staging, but this is fascinating. A gorgeous setting and genius everywhere. It is also musically outstanding - I can’t think how! The intense tragedy of Rigoletto is lost, but the sheer wonder of the production more than makes up for it. This belongs in every collection.

I now have five DVDs of the Bregenz lakeside stage operas, and this is really spectacular. The costumes were very colourful, and the stage sets unbelievable. In fact, I have just watched " The Making Of " three times because the creative and constructional work were so interesting. I am not sufficient an expert on judging the singing quality of the main characters, but they seemed wonderful to me. It is a very sad story, filled by the excellent background notes, and on the back page nine more performances to be enjoyed, but not all from the lakeside stage. This version is definitely the best, especially for its visual presentation.

I saw this performance live and it was really breathtaking. I was so glad to be able to get this dvd to show to family.

Ein wunderbarer Rigoletto - anders als man ihnbisher zu sehen bekam - einfach grandios! was nicht zuletzt das Verdienst des Regisseurs ist, der eine wunderbare Technik mit einem grandiosen Bühnenbild auf die Seebühne gebracht hat. (Bravissimo signor Stölzl) Zum Glück gibt es den Rigoletto nächstes Jahr noch einmal auf der berühmten Seebühne. Allora, arrividerci in Bregenz 2020 !

ich finde, daß das bühnenbild total von den künstlerischen werten, wie gesang und schaubild ablenkt. ich schwanktezwischen dem bühnenbild und und der darbietung der künstler hin und her. gewiß, wenn man diese aufführungauf der seebühne in bregenz erlebt herrscht eine andere atmosphäre. ich besitze einige "rigolettos". zum vergleichist für mich die bregenzer inszenierung mit abstand nicht empfehlenswert. allein die ständigen bewegungen des kopfes. der magere rigoletto ohne buckel entspricht sicherlich nicht den erwartungen des komponisten. auch dieliebesduette zwischen gilda und dem duque kommen zu kurz.und diese ständige rumturnerei von gilda auf dem "Felsen?" entspricht nicht dem original. für mich ist diese aufführung ein musiktheater, das nicht den kern dieserfantastischen oper trifft. auch vermisse ich die nahaufnahmen einiger scenen.

Sängerisch fantastisch, Bühnenbild faszinierend neu mit unzähligen Nuancen: allein die Mimik des Kopfes von zynisch, sarkstisch, böse aber auch traurig - machmal sogar humorvoll. (Die Komentare der Hand u.v.m.)Nachdem ich die Liveübertragung erlebt habe konnte ich die Aufnahme schon wiederholt geniessen!!