BOITO, A.: Mefistofele (San Francisco Opera, 1989) (NTSC)

Arrigo Boito (1842-1918)
MEFISTOFELE

Opera in Four Acts; Sung in Italian

Samuel Ramey, Gabriela Beňačková
Dennis O’Neill, Judith Christin, Emily Manhart
Daniel Harper, Douglas Wunsch

Chorus And Orchestra Of The San Francisco Opera
Maurizio Arena, conductor

Robert Carsen, Stage Director
Brian Large, TV Director

Recorded live at the San Francisco Opera, 1989

Picture format: NTSC 4:3
Sound format: PCM Stereo
Region code: 0
Menu Languages: English, German, French, Spanish
Subtitles: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian
Running time: 160 mins
No. of DVDs: 1 (DVD 9)

"Maurizio Arena conducts a performance that makes one wonder what Boito might have composed had he not given up. A must for every collection." Opera Now

• Newly repackaged for 2007, Arrigo Boito's treatment of the Faust legend is imaginative yet also faithful to Goethe's original conception, and the score is memorable for its rich orchestral sounds, beautifully punctuated with lyrical passages and choral interludes.
  
  
• Robert Carsen's sumptuous, post-modern production of Mefistofele is a gloriously decadent and theatrically stunning realisation, and the San Francisco Opera's performance was unanimously acclaimed in both Paris and San Francisco.
  
  
• Samuel Ramey, in the title role, has won both critical and overwhelming popular approval.
  

"Ramey is perfect in the role of Mefistofele. A powerful bass and compelling presence make him unforgettable." San Francisco Bay Guardian

"…the whole affair breathes a sensitivity to the music and to Boito's intentions that is rare on the operatic stage with any style of production." New York Times

Please note that this disc has been repackaged and re-released in worldwide NTSC format