DVD 10522 THE DEMON (Rubenstein)

when will producers realise that the more artificial the setting, the less the actors can appeal to the empathy of the viewer. Here we have no scenery and the usual plastic costumes. Judging by the music Rubinstein seems to on the same level as Serov but well below the great Russians.

I agree it is great to have The Demon on dvd BUT it seems Latvian TV could only spare one camera to film it It Pans and Scans and Zooms almost uncontrollably so much as to lose the singers and it takes time to find them again Having said that it is very well sung and played Opolais in the time before she 'became' a superstar. The sound is very acceptable Mono and there are no tracks Enjoy...I cannot see any other rivals on the horizon.

This is a great DVD. At last, a production sung in Russian with English subtitles! Picture and sound are very good. Production is rather odd, but okay. Mostly Latvian singers here, but very good performances. CAST Demon – Samsons Izjumovs (baritone) Tamara – Kristine Opolais (soprano) Gudal – Romans Polisadovs (bass) Sinodal – Guntars Rungis (tenor) Angel – Ilona Rasa (mezzo-soprano) Tamara’s nanny – Ilona Bagele (mezzo-soprano) Sinodal’s Messenger – Nauris Puntalis (tenor) Old Retainer (Servant) – Sergejs Martinous (bass) Latvian National Opera Normunds Vaicis – conductor Riga, Latvia 14 December 2003