Tribute to Great Basso [VHS]

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VHS Movie Reviews of Tribute to Great Basso [VHS]

Movie Review: Ghiaurov is awesome!
Summary: 5 Stars

The video splendidly opens with the song of the Golden Calf from "Faust", a filmed production, I think, where Ghiaurov's Satan literally rules the night. Then we move through touching vivid death of Don Quichotte, Basilio's exquisite aria about calumny (complete with fantastic ballet-like number), the chapel scene, again from "Faust", with wife Mirella Freni, Fiesco's aria from "Simon Boccanegra" (check out the complete opera, fans), and the farewell of Boris Godunov (Ghiaurov's signature role). In a regrettably brief moment we see the terrific tribute concert in his honor put up by his good friends and colleagues Piero Cappuccilli, José Carreras, and (of course) Mirella Freni. These four often performed and recorded together and it is wonderful and rare to see such a relationship among the stars of opera. Interestingly the Champagne Aria from "Don Giovanni" is heard on a plain as Ghiaurov travels to conquer yet another great opera house of the world. Needless to say, I would much rather prefer to see the actual performance - a bass Don has incredible dark seductive power which is astonishing to observe.

Throughout the video, Ghiaurov's singing and acting will surely leave you breathless. To my ears he is the GREATEST bass that ever existed (and I come from the country that gave the world Chaliapin Kipnis, and Petrov among others). He really has it all - great vocal skill, fantastic acting abilities, and a towering majestic stage presence. In addition, there is something incredibly noble and compelling in his voice that makes it immediately distinguishable from all the other basses. His range is phenomenal - from baritonal tessitura of Don Giavanni to profondo sounds of Fiesco and Gremin. His singing is so effortless, the listener has no choice but to focus on the character and later can only identify his voice with this character. That's how it was for me with Boris Godunov. I've heard countless productions of Mussorgsky's masterpiece, but once I heard the Decca recording (with Karajan) I could not even imagine any other Boris but his. Get this video, fans, and you will see why I am so excited about this incredible artist. Its relative brevity (about 70 minutes or so) was my only concern, but what you will see is definitely worth the price. Simply awesome.

Summary of Tribute to Great Basso [VHS]

Nicolai Ghiaurov was born in the Bulgarian town of Velimgrad in 1929. Despite the lack of opportunity in such a small town despite his parents' poverty, he learned to play the violin, piano and clarinet at an early age. His acting ability won him a number of roles in the town's local theatre. When his voice broke, it soon became evident he was a very promising bass singer and with some help from Bulgarian composer, Petko Stainov, Ghiaurov entered the Vocal Faculty of the Sofia Music Academy in 1949. He won a State Scholarship to the celebrated Moscow Conservatory, from which he graduated with the highest honors in 1955. Almost immediately his fine voice won him the Grand Prix de Paris competition for singers.

V.I.E.W. VIDEO is honored to present this program, complete filmed performances, highlighting some of his greatest roles, on the occasion of Ghiaurov's 50th Anniversary celebration concert.

SELECTIONS:
-"Faust"- Mephistopheles "Song of the Golden Calf"
-"Faust"- Mephistopheles and Marguerite in the Cathedral scene
-"The Barber of Seville"- Don Basilio aria "Calumnia"
-"Boris Godunov"- Boris and his son Feodor in the death scene
-Rehearsal with Von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic
-Rehearsal with Von Karajan and Mirella Freni
-Rehearsal at La Scala with Claudio Abbado, Mirella Freni and Piero Cappuccilli
-From Simon Boccanegra at L'Opera de Paris- Fiesco's aria
-Ghiaurov at the Met
-Rehearsal and make-up for Don Quixote
-"Don Quixote"- aria from the death scene
-"Tosca"- Mirella Freni, Jose Carreras and Piero Cappuccilli.

Classical Music CDs

• Opera & Vocal
• Genres > Music Video & Concerts > Biography
• Musicals & Performing Arts > Classical
• Opera
• Musicals & Performing Arts