Andrea Chenier is not one of my favourite operas, but it is compelling and moving with great music, with the four highlights of the scores being L'Improvviso, La Mamma Morta, Nemico Della Patria and the earth-shattering final scene. This Andrea Chenier from the Met is very good on the whole, if not my first choice like the 1973 performance(and I also put the 1981 and both 1985 performances over this too). The production is well done visually, with a surprising melding of traditional production values and prop abstractions. The traditional aspects of the production are suitably sumptuous, especially the costuming of Maddalena, while the abstract props are most effective during the final scene, giving an even more ominous approach. The camera work is mostly focused and does show intimacy with the action and performers, though with some of the close ups you can tell that Pavarotti is wearing heavy make-up which I don't think does him many favours. Musically though the production was outstanding, with lush orchestral playing and James Levine's conducting as fresh and positive as it was on the Domingo, Scotto and Milnes recording he did in the late 70s. The three leads are very well done. Maria Guleghina's La Mamma Morta could've done with more delicacy perhaps but her dramatic commitment and forceful singing as Maddalena more than makes amends. Luciano Pavarotii is rather stand-there-and-sing dramatically, but his crystal clear diction, affecting musicality, strong personality and of course the distinctive ringing sound of his singing also compensates. And Juan Pons with his sturdy baritone and imposing presence is the very definition of the villainous revolutionary with a conscience. All in all, very good but not the first-choice production I'd immediately snap up if I had to buy a DVD of the opera. Levine and Pavarotti completists will be happy with it though. 8/10 Bethany Cox
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