| Film / Video - Review Excerpts |
 Opera Now (UK) (November / December 2007) - DVD only "a cogent argument for Massenet's enduring popularity." MusicWeb International (UK) (July 2007) - DVD only "The DVD production is excellent in every respect and has been compiled with no expense spared ... is one opera buffs can watch with pleasure." Michael DVD (Australia) (21 May 2001) - DVD only "Overall Rating 4 out of 5 (Video: 4.5/5) ... a pretty fine DVD that will not disappoint those who do indulge this reasonably entertaining and informative documentary." "... technically, one of the finest DVDs I've seen ... absolute demonstration quality ... Beautifully photographed and intelligently crafted, this DVD is a great advocate for the composer's work." The Age (Australia) (12 August 2000) "... a masterly piece of film which establishes a standard for the future of music documentaries ... The directorial ingenuities are striking ... Twenty-six operas, 15 piano and orchestral works, four oratorios, 281 songs - it is a remarkable output. Perhaps this film will allow us to see and hear more of Massenet's works." The Age (Australia) (11 August 2000) "... Bonynge has been championing Massenet's music for at least 30 years ... 'He was the most prolific and popular composer working in his time (1842-1912) in Paris; the absolute star composer,' says Vandamme." 24 Hours Magazine (Australia) (June 2000) "It's rather like having Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians come to life on-screen ... the composer's great-great grand-niece, heads a whole series of commentators extolling his musical virtues, including Thomas Hampson and the distinguished Swiss tenor, Hugues Cuenod, in his late nineties, no less, when he was filmed. Valuable insights here and from the editor of Opera Magazine, Rodney Milnes, who provides some marvellous annotations with the CD. Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge are there too ... Massenet did like his ladies! Twenty-six staged operas, four oratorios, 281 songs and around 150 piano and orchestral works add up to a lot of composing. Noel Lee plays a couple of piano works to add some variety ... This video and CD should keep Massenet's candle burning bright." |