The Original Three Tenors Concert Review
review by James S.
Not Rated
Running Time: 86 minutes
Starring Luciano Pavarotti, Jose Carreras, Placido
Domingo, Zubin Mehta
Studio: Polygram
Directed by Brian Large
Retail Price: $29.95
Features: Scene Access
Specs: Standard 4:3 format, English Dolby Digital 5.1
Surround Stereo
The Three Tenors (Pavarotti, Carreras, and Domingo) had
an ill-fated tour a few years back. This kept the three
from reaching the masses. The only way to see the three
greats together was to catch their concerts on PBS. Their
original concert, back in 1990, lives on in DVD format. The
trio performs classics at the Terme di Caracalla in Rome in
front of a full symphony conducted by the legendary Zubin
Mehta.
Originally broadcast for television, the concert is shown
in standard 4:3 format. With the exception of some
stuttering of the video after the first song, the video is
very nice. The picture looks as clear as a live television
broadcast. In addition, the colors are vibrant.
The original audio was recorded in the digital domain.
As such, tape hiss is absent. During "O paradis" I did take
note of slight scratchiness on the left channel. It was
brief and did not diminish the overall quality of the sound.
What is left is a beautiful selection of some of the finest
songs to grace our world. Pavoratti's and Domingo's voices
are wonderfully rich, whereas Carreras seems like the odd
man out. If Pavarotti's rendition of Puccini's "Nessun
dorma" doesn't leave you with goosebumps, you need to be
examined. That one selection seals his distinction as the
best tenor ever.
Song selection is the only feature.
The Original Three Tenors Concert is a wonderful mix of
songs sung by the best opera has to offer. The performance
shows the tenors at their best. If you give it a chance,
opera can most certainly grow on you. There is no debating
the beauty of the music.
(Editor's Note: This title is currently out of
print.)
 (4/5, NOT included in
final score)
 (3/5)
 (5/5)
 (0/5)
(4/5,
NOT an average)
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