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If there was ever going to be a first true 3D filming of an opera, why not make it the most popular opera in the world? That's right, Carmen is the first commercial high definition release filmed entirely in RealD-3D by Julian Napier. Before I get to the reasons why this one should be on your wish list, I should point out that you must have all the necessary 3D components to view this disc. There is no 2D alternative. If you don't have a full 3D HDTV, bluray3D player, active shutter glasses, and a fully compatible high speed HDMI cable, don't buy this product. However, if you're all set to view 3D imagery on your entertainment center, by all means, don't hesitate to pick this up. So, now to the good stuff. How's the picture? In one word, simply stunning. Smooth, lifelike, breathlessly three dimensional. The stage is deep and Napier takes full advantage by creating layers of dimensions between all the goings on. As extras and principles move across the stage, there is a real sense of depth dimension. When the credits begin and the camera pans across the theater, one can simply marvel at the ingenunity as rows of patrons sweep by the camera in full 3D. How's the sound? I was surprised that the sound format is only dolby digital and not true DTS HD master audio or the Dolby equivalent. However, the sound even still is magnificent in 5.1 channels when played back on a surround home theater system. All the tunefulness and orchestral coloring that Bizet wove into Carmen is sumptuous and realistic. How's the stage production? As I said, knowing the production would be filmed in 3D, there is plenty that pops out of the screen. The sets are relatively simple, but effective. There are real animals on stage as well. Don't expect Zeffireli extravagance, but you'll definitely get your money's worth. Francesca Zambello does a wonderful job polishing a production worthy of 3D. And, what of the performance itself. It's a memorable one. Christine Rice as Carmen is seductive and conniving, passionate and enflamed. Her voice is beautiful and she uses it to the hilt. How's her chemistry with Don Jose played by Bryan Hymel. It's potent. It has to be, right? For all this to work! Hymel is handsome and has a charming tenor with just the right desperation and agony in all the right places as he becomes ensnared in Carmen's wicked charm. Aris Argiris and Maija Kovalevska round out the principles and what a fine job they do. The whole cast is uniformly excellent. Have there been better Carmen's?...Don Jose's?...Escamillo's ect.? You could balk about this or that performance having this something or that something, but as a whole, I couldn't recommend this production more even if it were only in 2D. Constantinos Carydis conducts the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House and what a fresh and intuitive reading it is. It has a kind of flow and spontaneity about it that keeps the whole performance briskly moving along. So, my final verdict is: BUY THIS NOW! If you're looking to expand your 3D movie collection, what a great way to go about it. If you love opera, and just happen to have a 3DTV, this speaks for itself. I loved it, and definitely consider it a worthy purchase. I hope you do too. Peace!
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Christine Rice's performance as Carmen produces the most alluring, seductive and dangerous Carmen I've ever seen on stage or recording. This opera has been a favorite of mine for years and I thought it was all a little too familiar perhaps but this production of the opera opens new doors to the enjoyment of this famous classic opera.All of the performers give the opera an energetic life that makes it sparkle with a newness waiting to be discovered. I hope it becomes available in 2D for those who may not have the setup for 3D; the musicality, the staging, and the acting place it in a special category that deserves as wide an audience as possible.
All four leads are well done as are the secondary roles so the overall impression is of a seasoned cast and crew who know their jobs perfectly.
This version is only viewable if one has the full 3D playback equipment so don't even think about it unless you do or are planning on jumping in soon.
The surround sound is Dolby Digital 5.1 and sounds excellent; I too wonder why the disc didn't include the Dolby True HD but the sound the way it is sounds great so there's no big loss there.
The 3D effect is some of the best I've seen and demonstrates the potential the technology has to offer. Some of the images seem to actually be a foot or two in front of the TV and the 3D depth of field is very good as well although it seems to move back into the TV rather than project out in front.
This performance was intended to break new ground and I believe it has; not only it the technology first class the performance of the opera was dramatic and powerful.
One of the interesting things about the subtitles is their 3D effect; they seem to be projecting into the room which makes them easy to see.
There are three short special features which are all worthwhile and entertaining.
I'm greatly encouraged by this disc and recommend it highly.
Best Deals for Bizet: Carmen in 3D (presented by RealD and the Royal Opera House)
November, 2011, marked the release of TWO 3-D Blu-rays with strong appeal to adults. Both are great successes. Cave of Forgotten Dreams is a fascinating documentary intended to be seen in 3-D. And this Carmen is absolutely mind-blowingly stunning!! The first (of many, I hope) stage productions in 3-D, it places the bar for future films EXTREMELY high. These discs make a strong case for owning 3-D equipment. The fortunate few already so-equipped will surely want them in their libraries. I have strong hopes that these will sell well and ensure a future for other grown-up 3-D projects.I completely agree with agent_odd's excellent review which praises the singing, production (designed for 3_D from the ground up), digital sound, and picture quality. The ever-changing "magic carpet" perspectives that place you directly within the action rivet ones attention in a way that must be experienced to be believed.
Don't miss this one. It's thrilling and exhilarating, a revolution in opera dvd.
Honest reviews on Bizet: Carmen in 3D (presented by RealD and the Royal Opera House)
There are two ways to approach this disk.1) An opera in 3d? Really?
2) OK so it's in 3D, but is it a good opera?
Let's get the 3d out of the way first. When I bought a 3d-capable television, my only real disappointment was the lack of *good* 3d content. Oh, there are literally hundreds of 3d cartoons out there. But content for grown-ups has been in pretty short supply. Hopefully, the people who produce 3d blu-ray disks are beginning to catch on that if they want 3d television to survive, they're going to have to start producing something that mom and dad can enjoy after the kids have gone to bed. This disk goes a long way toward filling that void.
That being said, the 3d on this disk is spectacular but not in a way that distracts from the opera itself. Most 3d movies give in to the temptation to show-off the 3d technology by constantly throwing things at the audience. But the producers of this Carmen don't do that. They use 3D in a way that doesn't call attention to itself so much as it simply enhances the realism of the image that you're watching. After a while, you forget you're watching a 3D movie and begin to feel that you're 'simply there' with the singers.
But what about the performances and this production of Bizet's opera? Carmen is a very popular opera, and consequently there have been a lot of productions released on DVD. Some have been very good some not-so-much. Happily, this one is among the best.
Some have commented on the relatively simple sets and staging that Zambello used in this 3D production. But for me, Carmen works best without the "cast of thousands" approach that so many opera companies feel they need to use. Compare this version with the Zefirelli Bizet Carmen / Obraztsova, Domingo, Mazurok, Buchanan, Rydl, Zednik, Kleiber, Vienna Opera in which there's so much happening on stage that the characters and the story get lost in the production. Not so in this version, in which Christine Rice's performance captures the pure self-obsessed narcissism of Carmen, as she toys with Don Jose like a cat toying with a mouse. From their first encounter, the viewer knows that this isn't going to end well.
A great performance of a great opera. And in 3D to boot!
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