Tchaikovsky - Eugene Onegin / Fleming, Vargas, Hvorostovsky, Gergiev, Carsen [Metropolitan Opera 2007]

This is a magnificent performance and an innovative production of Tchaikovsky's beloved Eugene Onegin. It was my favorite "Met at the Movies" performance last year, and I was very much looking forward to its release on dvd. That said, there was some editing done, and not for the better, which is why I'm giving it four stars instead of five. Still, I wouldn't want to be without this one in my collection.

I am a big fan of Eugene Onegin and watched this opera several times at various opera houses, including once at Bolshoi (the "old" Bolshoi of 1980s). Therefore, I have had quite high expectations after seeing parts of this performance on TV a few months ago. Yesterday, after the DVD arrived in the mail, I could barely wait to get home to watch it. Honestly, I was disappointed. Please do not get me wrong. This production is still very good, just it is not the ultimate Eugene Onegin I hoped it would be. Hvorostovsky is outstanding, he is definitely the best Onegin I ever heard. At the same time, Fleming as Tatiana is not as good as I expected. After watching this DVD, I listened for a while to my old CD set with Galina Vishnevskaya as Tatiana (Bolshoi, recorded in 1950s), and in my opinion Vishnevskaya's singing is highly superior to that of Fleming. Also, maybe a factor was the awful quality of the English translation, which totally emasculates the rich Pushkin poetry. Sometimes I had the feeling Fleming had no idea what was the real meaning of the words she was singing, and it really spoiled the impression of her acting (wrong gestures, wrong expressions). At times, like in the middle of the first act (Onegin and Tatiana returning from their walk), she seemed not to know what to do and, rather than acting, was looking intently at Hvorostovsky for clues. This was disappointing. Overall, this is a good performance, and Hvorostovski is absolutely brilliant. However, it is not "the" ultimate Eugene Onegin I hoped it would be.

I agree with everyone, except that I loved the minimalist sets because they allowed me to focus completely on the performers. I almost held my breath waiting for The Met to release anything from last season...anything at all. I was thrilled and ordered it immediately from them. If I'd know Amazon would get them ( bought Puritani, too), I would have waited...but I didn't dare. Now I want them to let "The Barber of Seville" loose. THAT was also incredible. Joyce diDonato was thrilling...as was the entire cast. When they do that, I'll buy it from Amazon.

I saw this in the theater when it was broadcast live and was blown away by the performances of Renee and Dimitri. The set was minimalist yet wonderful! I was hoping this would come out on DVD. I just wish it would come out on Blu-Ray disc so I can watch it in Hi-Def at home. Watching it on standard DVD just doesn't quite compare to watching it in Hi-Def.

Aren't we lucky to live in the Age of DVDs? Unlike some other reviewers, the sets contributed mightily to my mesmeration: minimalist, pristine and incredibly beautiful. They artfully enable one to focus on the performances and drama without extraneous distraction. A thrilling experience and a must-have. Plus, DH=hubba hubba!