Review of Pavarotti: The Event

Introduction

I`m not a huge operatic fan and I`m one of those supposedly "unlucky" people who just isn`t moved by this musical style. I`m probably, therefore, not the greatest choice for a review of this kind so if I offend any purist opera fans out there I`d just like to apologise well in advance for my total lack of culture. All that said, I do recognise the talents of Mr Paverotti and would in no way say that this musical styling is poor, rubbish or terrible it just plain leaves me cold!

This gala concert, recorded in May 1990 at Milan`s Palatrussardi had an audience of over ten thousand people listening to a mixture of Operatic arias and Neapolitan songs, so there are plenty out there who do love the music and the man. He belts out his tunes with gusto and true emotion and has the audience on its feet by the end of the disc. Paverotti is a true showman and obviously loves what he does, he manages six, yes six, encores.

Tracklist: Overture Dal Don Pasquale, Quanto E Bella Quanto E Cara!, Una Furtiva Lagrima, Adante In Do Magg K315 Per Flauto E Orchestra, Tombe Degli Avi Miei... Fra Poco A Me Rocovero, La Mia Letizia Infondere, Pourquoi Me Reveiller, Recondita Armonia, E Lucevan Le Stelle, Carmen Fantasy, Vesti La Guibba, Ouverture Da Semiramide Orchestra, La Serenata, Girometta, Occi Di Fata, Addio Fiorito Asii, O Sole Mio, La Mia Canzone Al Vento, Torna A Surrentio, Nessun Dorma.

This disc is also region free (R0)

Video

The picture is adequate on this 4:3 framed presentation. The quality is reminiscent of an average digital TV broadcast with look of a live satellite feed, rather than a direct recording from the master tapes. There`s quite alot of digital artefacting on large areas of solid colour that does tend to become distracting at times. Blacks are good and solid, though whites, especially very bright areas, tend to smear and halo.

Audio

My sound system registered a Dolby Digital 5.1 track, but I must say it was very dissapointing. There was a distinct lack of surround use and an even greater lack of bass. These two facets of home cinema sound are usually employed to great effect on classical material such as this, but this dvd fails to create any of the room filling ambience that this type of material cries out for.

Features

Just the concert and that`s it!

Conclusion

A below average disc that could have risen to much more given a bit more care and attention. Poor imaging and flat sound stand out as the major problems with this disc and are added to with no effort on the extras front. All-in-all a slapdash attempt to knock out another dvd that I`m sure even Mr Paverotti would not enjoy!