Top Pagliacci
Leoncavallo's Pagliacci is one of the verismo cornerstones of the Italian repertory. This performance does justice to the hot-blooded score with magnificent singing by tenor, Placido Domingo and Teresa Stratas. Conductor Georges Pretre, not usually associated with this repertoire, yet, he squeezes every white-hot passion out of this smoldering score. Add the magnificent production by Franco Zeffirelli, and you have all you need for one of the most exciting opera productions committed onto DVD. I saw this production at the Met years ago; I was elated when Deutsche Grammophon issued it.

Wonderful
I rented this opera and loved it so much that had to purchase it. The singing and acting is wonderful and I wasn't that familar with this opera before I saw it, but have watched it three times since. The music is haunting. Absolutly loved it.

Get it just for the Pagliacci - you won't be disappointed!
There are some people who won't even give Cav a chance (the second opera on the dvd), but I watched it. Now I don't blame anyone for not watching it. Now I only watch the second part of the dvd with I Pagliacci, because it is PHENOMENAL. I wish the staging would have been a little better (more believable when they are at their camp) but that blanches in comparison to the acting. Domingo is a little past his prime here, but his voice does not suffer. He plays this character with a brutal realism that makes you fear him but pity him at the same time. Of course, the famous aria "Laugh, Clown" is absolutely heart-wrenching and beautifully sung. I found myself just going back to listen/watch the aria for the emotions on Domingo's face. It's always nice to find great opera singers also be amazing actors and actresses, and Domingo does not disappoint. Get this for the amazing Pagliacci (it's not even that long, so thoroughly enjoyable for opera fanatics and those who are just getting into it) and have a dvd that you will enjoy in your library for years and years.

Leoncavallo - I Pagliacci / Mascagni - Cavalleria Rusticana / Domingo, Stratas, Pons, Bruson, Obraztsova, Pretre
If you have never seen or heard an opera before and you love a love triangle and tragedy then this is the perfect opera for you. It is absolutely, positively my favorite one of all time. Every time I hear and see this opera (dvd) I'm moved to tears. You will not be disappointed.

Pagliacci is phenomenal!
I have to admit I still haven't watched Cav, but it doesn't matter because Pagliacci alone sells this dvd!In fact, I'd buy it just to hear and see Placido Domingo's powerful Vesti la Giubba! He truly shows us here that he's not only a great singer but a great actor as well. You feel such pity for him during the aforementioned scene-and he takes you flawlessly to Canio's madness in the final heart-pounding act! Juan Pons is also fantastic as Tonio-especially in the prologue. Teresa Stratas is a wonderful, sympathetic Nedda and Franco Zeffirelli's direction is flawless - love his use of shadow and light in this production. It's difficult to believe this was filmed in less than two days! Fantastic, wonderful!AAA+++