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| Renee Fleming: Sacred Songs | 
 enlarge | Actor: Renee Fleming
Studio: Decca
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.98
Buy New: $17.18
You Save: $12.80 (43%)
New (12) Used (4) from $17.18
Avg. Customer Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 42483
Format: Ac-3, Classical, Color, Dolby, Dts Surround Sound, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 70
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 000629709
UPC: 044007431290
EAN: 0044007431290
ASIN: B000E97HTE
Theatrical Release Date: 2006
Release Date: April 11, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new Item. CD, DVD, Book, VHS more than 400 000 titles to choose from. ALL days Low Price !
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| Customer Reviews:
 The Divine Renee March 31, 2007
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Wonderful and beautifully filmed concert in the incredible Mainz Cathedral starring Renee Fleming accompanied by two choirs. The singing is fabulous and Renee is obviously vocally giving everything she has to the performances. She also seems to really be enjoying the ability to hear her voice soar in the cathedral. "Laudaumus Te", and "Ave Maria" are the standouts.
Renee also looks fabulous with her classical beauty and designer gown.
Laudamus Te February 6, 2007
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
Please skip this review if you are an opera-lover and/or a true believer in Christ. This review is by an opera-fearing non-believer.
However, if you're reading this because you're merely browsing, or, had seen Renee Fleming's performances on PBS and were left dumbfounded, please continue.
This DVD gets 10 stars.
Very few individuals can bring together such astonishing talent and personal charisma, to be effective crossover artists.
The content of this DVD, is a combination of extremes - a golden, unmistakable voice, uplifting, possibly the worthiest subject: baby Jesus ... in praise and "adoration".
Pinnock's passionate conducting and the the majestic setting - Mainz cathedral - augment this combination, to make this a superlative package.
If you're allergic to operatic style of singing (as I am), it is recommended that you start with either "Panis Angelicus" or "Ave Maria". Though, the pinnacle of exhilaration is reached in the astonishing performance of "Laudamus Te". The camera catches her getting ready to LAUNCH into it - and its extremely amusing to anticipate this in later viewings. You know whats coming next!
The beauty of the whole thing arises from not "mere" vocal techniques , but the sheer intensity of the tonal beauty brought about by the "mushy diction", as the Amazon review puts it. Then again, the subject thats being adored, DESERVES mushy, sentimental praise, especially around Christmas season? This sentiment/sensibility comes across INTENSELY in her voice, mannerisms and facial expressions.
The final minute or so, of the "Shepherds' Farewell" alone, is worth the price of this DVD.
The camera captures the right people at the right moments, in crystal clear video. Perfect. Special kudos to the sound engineers.
Extras:
--3 bonus songs/videos (A Simple Song, Ave Maria,The Holly and the Ivy)
--A documentary film about the Mainz Cathedral - 20+ minutes.
--Still images/impressions of Mainz
--15 still images of Ms.Fleming
--Discography : small samples, trailers from her CDs and DVDs
One can only hope that her voice can be lent to the performance of more such sacred works - Bach's St.Matthew's passion, Mass in B minor - to name a couple, and/or hymns, now that she has apparently reached such heights, where, no criticism of "Kitschy" stuff (stuff that appeals more to common people) can pose any threat to her career/status as a "sophisticated" opera singer.
This particular DVD is slowly replacing my Jimmy Stewart (the quintessential "common man"?) collection as the most played on my DVD player.
(By the way, both were born in Indiana, Pennsylvania. Curious tidbit..)
Sounds as beautiful as Renee looks! January 8, 2007
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
I first saw this performance on PBS, while looking for Christmas concerts.
Strange as this might sound, I had never heard Renee Fleming. I had seen several photos of her and assumed (wrongly!) that she was just another opera singer they were promoting to sell her recordings in other markets.
It was an eye-opener. Renee Fleming sings with precision and ease, and every song demonstrates that she has worked hard to acquire the education and training to make her singing seem effortless. On top of this, she sings with warmth and feeling, seeming to be enjoying the concert as much as those assembled in Mainz Cathedral, and we who watch it on dvd.
The only negative thing I would say is that I hated her dress--it simply was not at all flattering to her. But her good looks, her immense talents, her enthusiasm, and the beautiful Mainz Cathedral all contributed to make this a Christmas concert that is a gift to all who see and hear it. After some of Renee's brilliant embellishments, the camera even catches the face of one of the musicians whose face seems to indicate that she has just heard some superlative singing--that she was there to bear witness to an exceptional performance. Once you see it, I think you will agree--it's a magic moment--a magical Christmas concert.
Christmas kitsch meets a glorious voice December 23, 2006
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
And the result is a DVD filled with luxurious singing and devotion. Moreso than on her album named Sacred Songs as well Renee Fleming sings with elegance and poise, giving even the most rehashed evergreen a life of its own. What I love most about this DVD is its simplicity. An old school diva in a beautiful, classy dress rather than a girl strutting around trying to be sexy. Her voice has a velvety warmth I miss in nearly ever other full lyric soprano we have these days. Genuine emotion is pulsing through her singing, she's an artist willing to take risks, never just a voice but always an artist. This DVD is excellent for the holidays ahead and I'll be playing it more than once for I'd rather hear Renee Fleming perform these pieces than yet another pop singer.
5-star kitsch!! August 10, 2006
10 out of 12 found this review helpful
This is a very christmassy DVD indeed. Decca goes tasteless all the way (a soprano in front of a creche.....not even the Vienna new years concert goes that far)! Thank God the soprano in question is Renee Fleming who pours these songs out in the most beautifull way. She is in top form here, and makes us realise that these works need to be performed by people of her standard, which is not always the case.
Five star kitsch, for those who are not affraid of 'too much'. (You can also turn of the image and just listen with a glas of gluehwein at hand!)
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