MUSICDVDs

Latest DVD releases reviewed.

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT
All I Want: A Portrait of Rufus Wainwright Universal
***

He likes his wines (Medoc preferred, to be given directly to his tour manager, and not to be placed in the grape-grabbing confines of his dressing room), and he likes his fresh ground French Roast coffee; yes, sir, there's no doubting that Rufus Wainwright - son of Loudon, brother of Martha - is blessed with rarefied tastes. This rather raffish, overtly camp demeanour comes across in his first DVD, which is average live footage of the "you-had-to-be-there" variety interspersed with dull, sycophantic talking-heads soundbytes (Sting, anyone?) and the really interesting cut and thrust asides of family interviews. It's the latter that make this essential - just watch how mother Kate McGarrigle and sibling Martha offer insights into Rufus's swish upbringing in Montreal and his downward spiral (now reversed) into crystal meth addiction. Phew - makes the Texas Chainsaw Massacre family look like the Brady Bunch. Well, almost. www.rufuswainwright.com

Tony Clayton-Lea

PUCCINI: LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST
Soloists: Placido Domingo, Carol Neblett; Royal Opera House Chorus and Orchestra; Conductor: Nello Santi Warner Music Vision
*****

This famous production from Covent Garden in the 1980s is now available on DVD for the first time. Despite its initial success at its premiere in New York in 1910, La Fanciulla del West is one of Puccini's lesser known operas. Its relative lack of popularity may be due to its complex plot, with many action scenes of short duration rapidly succeeding each other, coupled with Puccini's use of new harmonic language. However, when performed in a full-blooded way with great singers and authentic sets - as in this fine production from Covent Garden - the opera comes to life in a quite dramatic way. Domingo was in his prime when this performance was recorded, and Carol Neblett is a magical Minnie. Singers, sets and staging all combine to make this a wonderful production. www.wmg.com

Colman Morrissey