This sumptuous production deserves to be given the full justice on film it receives here- not least because as a mid 20th Century work by Hindemith, a composer it takes time and patience to understand or appreciate, it is rarely performed. Another good reason, and one of the benefits of the way this opera was filmed seamlessly integrating shots of the behind the scenes technical wizardry and scene changes with the main action on stage, it displays the state of the art workings of the world class Bastille Opera.
The singing is up to standard throughout, but not comparable to the reference Cologne audio recording from 1968 with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau in the title role reprised from the highly successful Munich production of a year earlier under Joseph Keilberth. In this respect Alan Held in particular fails to convince vocally as Cardillac the psychotic goldsmith while the rest of the cast sing their roles strongly but without enough nuance.
This seems to have been filmed as a record of the production without being a "live" recording in the strict sense of the word so both realism and superb sound quality with lively interesting camera angles are achieved without compromise. The colourful elegant sets are gorgeous in Parisian Art Nouveau style. One is unlikely to see a version of this opera produced on this scale ever again... if at all.
For this reason, despite my reservations (which can be considered "nit picking" from a devotee of this work) this film must be awarded a clear ten out of ten. You really have to have a receptive ear to modern classical music, though here Hindemith is remarkably tuneful and accessible, but I would suggest this should make an interesting gift to the friend or relative who enjoys Madam Butterfly or Rigoletto and should lead to an interesting conversation afterwards!
