opera review
Excellent cast, well done BUT the recording should have included subtitles.
Tatiana was one of our most beloved singers.

Rare treat for opera lovers
The vocal performances are excellent. James Levine and the Met may be uniquely qualified in the U.S. to produce and conduct this seldom performed epic Opera on full scale. Full orchestra and offstage ensembles are perfectly balanced in Berliotz's grandest work. Staging this epic production always requires compromise. This is no exception in that department, nevertheless a pleasing production considering practical limitations.

Beautiful traditional staging of this masterpiece
The Met performance of twenty or more years ago is still the one to see. The cast is flawless. Jessie Norman as Cassandra gives the best performance of her illustrious career and the young Troyanos and Domingo are also superb. A huge cast with excellent ballets (there are several) does this remarkable work justice. I give it four instead of five stars because the sound is somewhat under-recorded. I had to really boost the volume. Nevertheless, this is THE Troyens on DVD!

Not Great Visually But Who Cares??
OK, so this is not the greatest video visually. The colors are blah, the focus leaves a lot to be desired occasionally, and the stage sets are far from exciting. But if the most important asset of opera is the singing anyway, this is the video of Les Troyens to have. Jessye Norman's voice is clear and powerful, and the role of Cassandra the prophetess gone beserk is a great one for her. Even though Domingo's role is a punishing one he does much more than survive it -- his singing is a triumph. Troyanos is wonderful as Dido. Also wonderful is Levine in his young prime conducting an orchestra that is as polished as wonderful as could possibly sound in this sprawling behemoth of a masterpiece. For those who love these singers and love great singing and opera in general, this is a video worth having!!

Use your imagination.
I like this opera very much, but while I found it musically as good as the cast and conductor would lead one to expect, it is visually so disappointing that I gave my copy to the public library. If this performance is on CD, listen to that with your eyes closed and watch the performance you create in your own head. It can only be better.