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Title: This Don Carlos is both musically and dramatically superb --
Review: Having both listened to this production on CD and viewed it on video, I can't recommend it enough. Despite much pomp and choral panache, Don Carlos is a drama about human relationship and conflict. Early into a viewing of the video, it became quite clear that this production was special -- Mattila, Van Dam, Hampson, Meier and even Alagna come through with consistently fine singing and the emotional/dramatic chemistry that are a must in order to pull off these roles. Far from overdone with the usual dark sets and heavy costumes, the smart-looking production actually supported its somewhat more youthful-than-usual cast. Kudos to conductor Pappano as well -- he was obviously inspired. I only wish I could have been at the Chatalet to see this gem of an opera ... I would have known what to say to the rest of us who claim that there are no more memorable opera productions .....
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