Emma Russell

Minesweeper
$9.99

Sound of Music: London Palladium Cast Album 2006
$28.98
I agree that this recording could have been incredible. However, the mixing of the orchestra leaves a lot to be desired. It's very echo-y, distant, muffled at times, and sounds like the orchestra is in a different room than the singers. It's a problem in the mixing booth.

What a shame they goofed it up in the mixing booth - it could have been so good.

A Hundred Years of Italian Opera, 1810-20
$11.98
As an opera fan of the late 18th century early 19th century I was really looking forward to purchasing these three box sets due to their rare content and attention to an obscure period in opera history (Post-Mozart, pre-Rossini). They don't disappoint in content and they diversity of the material; there's a healthy mix of ensembles and solo pieces (with a finale on the third CD) to keep everyone happy.

Historical value is really what presents itself boldly here because you get to experience the missing links of bel canto that unite the composers of the late 18th century with those of the early 19th. You begin to understand the musical climate leading to Rossini and Donizetti which really stresses the point that all artists don't exist in some kind of artistic bubble where their creative genius alone is responsible for what they achieve.

Special mention goes to a composer I had never heard of before this recording, a young man named Manfroce. Opera Rara offers a recording on the first CD of this collection with one of his quartets from his second and last opera Ecuba. The literature in the included booklet says that he passed away at the age of 22 just after completing this opera. It also suggested that he could have been a worthy rival of Rossini if he had lived and I completely agree with that assessment. Don't expect greatness from his quartet but do expect the seeds of greatness as is the case with most "great" opera composers before they hit their maturity.

Last but not least, the reason I gave this box set 3 stars: What could have been an incredible achievement for Opera Rara was tainted by, at times, poor recording. During any kind of volume intense moment like a stretta or cabaletta, or any kind of crescendo for that matter there is scratchy distortion. It's worse in some numbers than in others but present in most of the concerted pieces (during those moments of volume intensity, NOT the WHOLE number) and even a few of the air's and duet's. It's less tolerable on headset but not as offensive on other sound systems. It seems like an easy fix so I don't understand why Opera Rara didn't remedy this in post-production.

The Fall of the Louse of Usher
$9.97
"The Fall of the Louse of Usher" is a zero budget adaptation of Poe for insufferable self-absorbed film school dropouts. It is unspeakably wretched, and shows the delirium of a once hot box office property in the throes of professional ruin. Ken Russell made and stars in this vehicle that redefines the phrase "low production values." It is stylistically over the top, which is one of Russell's prime appeals, but is self-indulgent, vapid, and incoherent.

Frequently resorting to shock for shock's sake, the film is ostensibly about a rock star, Roderick Usher (James Johnston), who is incarcerated in an asylum after being suspected of murder. The details are unimportant, as they just serve as a platform to allow Russell to overact deliriously as Dr. Calahari. Don't miss such great cinematic moments as the banana eating scene, inflatable Tyrannosaurus Rex therapy, Dr. Calahari's interesting choice of eyewear and nasal appliance, and my personal favorite scene, which involves a talking fish channeling a deceased Egyptian deity, a slinky, and a Ouija board. The only entertainment I got from the film was reading the credits on the DVD box. While the film says the character of Nurse A. B. C. Smith was played by Marie Findley, the box credits "Tulip Junkie," and notes that Gory the Gorilla was played by Alex Alien.

The film begs to be fast forwarded, but if you stick it out you will also be rewarded with some of the worst failed attempts at music video production ever released on DVD. I am normally quite interested in novel and independent films, and frequently decry the lack of talent and originality in Hollywood and elsewhere. Going into this, therefore, I expected to conclude that it's a shame that Russell can't get funding for his films anymore. After watching it, however, I'm just relieved.