"Actor: Rolando Panerai"

• Herbert Von Karajan - Leoncavallo - I Pagliacci/Mascagni - Cavalleria Rusticana | DVD | (21/01/2008) from £13.28   |  Saving you £0.71 (5.35%)   |  RRP £13.99

  Track Listings: 1. Preludio 2. O Lola Ch'ai Di Latti La Cammisa (Siciliana) 3. Introduzione 4. Gli Aranci Olezzano Sui Verdi Margini 5. Dite Mamma Lucia 6. Il Cavallo Scalpita 7. Beato Voi Compar Alfio 8. Perch'' M'hai Fatto...Voi Lo Sapete 9. Tu Qui Santuzza? 10. No No Turiddu Rimani 11. Oh! Il Signore Vi Manda (Duetto) 12. Intermezzo Sinfonico 13. A Casa A Casa Amici ...Comare Lola 14. Viva Il Vino Spumeggiante (Brindisi) 15. A Voi Tutti Salute! 16. Mamma Quel Vino ''ˆ Generoso 17. Opening Credits / Pagliacci / Karajan 18. Introduction 19. Si Pu''? Signore! Signori! 20. Son Qua! Ritornano 21. Un Grande Spettacolo! 22. Un Tal Gioco Credetemi 23. Don Din Don - Suona Vespero 24. Qual Fiamma Aveva Nel Guardo! 25. Sei L'' - So Ben Che Difforme - Oh! Lasciami 26. Nedda! Silvio A Quest'ora 27. E Allor Perch'' Di' Tu M'hai Stregato 28. Cammina Adagio - Derisione E Scherno! - Padron! Che Fate! 29. Recitar! - Vesti La Giubba 30. Intermezzo 31. Presto Affrettiamoci 32. Pagliaccio Mio Marito 33. E Dessa! Dei Come ''ˆ Bella 34. Arlecchin! Colombina! - Prendi Questo Narcotico 35. Coraggio 36. No Pagliaccio Non Son

• Puccini - La Boheme | DVD | (12/06/2006) from £14.78   |  Saving you £-3.79 (N/A%)   |  RRP £10.99

  Zeffirelli's 1963 Milan production of La Boheme, preserved in this 1965 film, provides a richly satisfying take on Puccini's much-loved romantic tragedy. The staging is opulent, not least in the way Zeffirelli opens up the Cafe Momus and turns it into a warm, vibrant haven for the bohemians and their followers. But it's the relationships which really matter here. Puccini's score--conducted with restrained passion by Herbert von Karajan--develops in a wonderfully linear way, with some of his most intensely moving arias and duets underpinning the evolution of the bohemian artists, particularly Rodolfo and Marcello, from immature egotists to rounded human beings, touched by tragedy. The film does look dated now--Mirella Freni's Mimi, sung with moving clarity, has the doe-eyed look of a 1960s pop star and the camera work is a tad unsophisticated--but the singing still puts the listener through the wringer. Gianni Raimondi's Rodolfo ("Che gelida manina") struggles manfully to come to terms with his emotional shortcomings and Adriana Martino (Musetta) has some fine comic moments before playing her vital part in the overwhelming sadness of the final scenes. Soul food for the tragically inclined. On the DVD: La Boheme has no extras here, but excellent booklet notes accompany the disc. The PCM Stereo soundtrack has been digitally remastered to decent effect. The 4:3 picture format inevitably imposes some limitations and the 1960s video quality is a little dull, but after all, this is a product of its time and a vital record of one of Zeffirelli's most successful productions.--Piers Ford

• Puccini: La Boheme -- Zeffirelli film version | DVD | (12/06/2006) from £16.99   |  Saving you £3.00 (17.66%)   |  RRP £19.99

  Zeffirellis 1963 Milan production of La Boheme, preserved in this 1965 film, provides a richly satisfying take on Puccinis much-loved romantic tragedy. The staging is opulent, not least in the way Zeffirelli opens up the Cafe Momus and turns it into a warm, vibrant haven for the bohemians and their followers. But its the relationships which really matter here. Puccinis score--conducted with restrained passion by Herbert von Karajan--develops in a wonderfully linear way, with some of his most intensely moving arias and duets underpinning the evolution of the bohemian artists, particularly Rodolfo and Marcello, from immature egotists to rounded human beings, touched by tragedy. The film does look dated now--Mirella Frenis Mimi, sung with moving clarity, has the doe-eyed look of a 1960s pop star and the camera work is a tad unsophisticated--but the singing still puts the listener through the wringer. Gianni Raimondis Rodolfo ("Che gelida manina") struggles manfully to come to terms with his emotional shortcomings and Adriana Martino (Musetta) has some fine comic moments before playing her vital part in the overwhelming sadness of the final scenes. Soul food for the tragically inclined. On the DVD: La Boheme has no extras here, but excellent booklet notes accompany the disc. The PCM Stereo soundtrack has been digitally remastered to decent effect. The 4:3 picture format inevitably imposes some limitations and the 1960s video quality is a little dull, but after all, this is a product of its time and a vital record of one of Zeffirellis most successful productions.--Piers Ford