Maria Stuarda (The Metropolitan Opera) [Blu-ray]

An excellent performance of one of Donizetti's greats. Standouts among the singers are Sonia Ganassi (as Queen Elizabeth I, but looking eerily like Bernadette Peters) and especially a young Joseph Calleja as Leicester, who's hard to recognize clean-shaven and in a black wig, until he opens his mouth and that golden sound comes pouring out. The production is traditional and low-budget, and the acting leaves much to be desired, but bel canto isn't really about those things. The filming could have been clearer and sharper.

I almost bought the regular DVD but was very happy when this Bluray came out. Another DiDonato triumph ( as well as van den Heever too).Great performance and nice production. It looks great in Bluray.

The digital version doesn't seem to have the subtitles the DVD has.

I'm a little puzzled by the nit-picking and frankly pedantic and silly, objections to this or that aspect of this Blu-Ray disk and this performance. I am an opera buff, very familiar with this particular opera and with opera in general, and can assure a potential purchaser: 1) that this is one of the greatest Bel Canto operas ever written; 2) that the Met production is beautifully and sensibly (a rarer attribute than it should be) mounted by David McVicar, and recorded by the Met video and audio production staff; 3) and, perhaps most importantly, that the lead singer, Joyce DiDonato, is not only one of the greatest mezzos in the world, but in this particular recording turns in one of the greatest performances in all of recent opera--and in her life. What's not to like? This is a Blu-Ray for the ages, for posterity, for future histories of Donizetti productions. I'd give it six stars if the option were available.

Erato has re-released several favorite opera discs in Blu ray that were not previously available in that format. Having now seen all five, I can opine that all were outstandingly successful. My December 2014 review of the original release described it as "perfect", but it should have read "almost perfect", the flaw being the failure to release it back then in Blu ray. That is because the differences are quite pronounced.The quality of the picture is much improved if one views it on an HD flat screen TV. The sharpness, definition and color quality have to bee experienced, and I am one who owns many Blu ray discs. The sound is still 5.1, rather than HD MA, so one might qibble a bit on that aspect of the disc, but not I. One is left with a simply splendid performance of an opera that went unperformed for many years. In fact the performance history of Maria Stuarda (including the rehearsal brawl between the two original female leads) has been fairly well documented and makes for interesting reading if one enjoys such things (as I do).Of course, the quality of the performance relies primarily on the efforts of the singers, chorus and orchestra, as well as the imagination of the stage director and production crew. In that context, this disc deserves its five star rating without considering the technical aspects of the disc. But when those qualities are added, one has a memorable operatic experience.I got my copy from a UK seller, because it was available much earlier than in the US. I also note that the disc is NOT Region 2 as described by Amazon on its product page; rather it is Region 0, playable world wide, BUT only on Blu ray players, not generic DVD machines.Gentle reader, this is a "do not miss" recording; get it!

I had 2 BluRays of this and both were returned as they were defective.

These piccolo moscerino voices are ruining opera. Overacting as well. Not worth the money. Stick with Leyla Gencer

Very good Met production, Joyce Didonato is excellent, as always.

I first saw this opera in late 1970 at the ENO in London with Janet Baker in the title role. She was magnificent in her acting and of course vocal interpretation of Mary Stuart. That left a landmark in my memory. And here nearly 50 years later Joyce Didonato in this Met performance stuns me just as much; its a performance and recording of the century. Didonato's soto voce bel canto singing is the most glorious and magical that I can recall. And the opera is a run of aria upon aria for each of the principal roles. No less credit to Elza van de Heever as Elizabeth for dramatic commitment, vocal athletics and beauty of voice. I liked Leicester too. The Met production was better than many of its stand and deliver productions to the extent that I was gripped by the drama throughout.Recording quality too just superb. Such an evening. Unmissable take my word.

This is truly outstanding in every way:; a fabulous opera which should be a staple part of every opera company's repertoire. The direction, by David McVicar is excellent with reasonably traditional costumes and interesting but unfussy backdrops.The two leads (Elza Van Den Heever as Elisabeth and Joyce DiDonato as Mary) are wonderful. Joyce DiDonato covers a marvellous range of emotions from proud and defiant against Elisabeth in Act 1 to confessional, stressed but accepting 10 years later as she approaches the scaffold at the end. The rest of the cast are also excellent but the last scene of DiDonato is completely moving and memorable.A must buy for opera lovers.

The clash of personality during the meeting in the woods between Mary and Elizabeth whilst the hunt takes place is breathtaking. Not only are Joyce Didonato and Elza Van Den Heever in superb voice but they really are fine actresses. The finale leading to Mary's beheading is stunning.

Very entertaining viewing. Great picture and vibrant sound.

This production of Maria Stuarda by the Metropolitan Opera is alright: It did not bore or infuriate me, but it did not thrill or excite me at all. I was not very well impressed by the decors or the costumes. For example, it seemed to me that Queen Elisabeth’s costumes and make-up were designed to show her as an even more hateful character than she is. Among the cast, only Joyce DiDonato stands out, as Marie Stuart, but I was very disappointed by the performance of Matthew Polenzani as Leicester, Marie’s lover, a role in which Pavarotti excelled. Matthew Rose deserves a mention for acting perfectly the part of Lord Talbot, another hateful character. Under the direction of Maurizio Benini, the orchestra of the Metropolitan opera did a very good job, but that is not enough to save this lacklustre production. And certainly not enough to make me forget the historical recordings of this beautiful opera by Pavarotti and Joan Sutherland Maria Stuarda . Maria Stuarda