THE WORLD'S FINEST OPERA
BALLET, THEATRE AND MUSIC
Handel: Handel Opera Classics
Sarah Connolly (Cesare (Giulio Cesare)); Angelika Kirchschlager (Sesto (Giulio Cesare)); Danielle de Niese (Cleopatra (Giulio Cesare)); Sonia Prina (Rinaldo (Rinaldo)); Anett Fritsch (Almirena (Rinaldo)); Brenda Rae (Armida (Rinaldo)); Christopher Purves (Saul (Saul)); Iestyn Davies (David (Saul)); Lucy Crowe (Merab (Saul))
This set brings together three of Handel's most compelling works for the stage in lavish Glyndebourne productions featuring period-instrument accompaniment from the renowned Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. David McVicar directs an all-star cast in Guilio Cesare, combining serious insight with entertainment to bring the masterpiece to life, aided by vivid playing from the OAE under William Christie. In Robert Carsen's fun-filled transformation of Rinaldo, lacrosse sticks and bicycles lend the fantasy's warriors and witches contemporary chic, with conductor Ottavio Dantone leading a youthful cast from the keyboard in Handelian fashion. Director Barrie Kosky's Glyndebourne debut, Saul stole the 2015 festival season and had critics raving. The Glyndebourne Chorus plays an outstanding role, and the OAE sparkles under Ivor Bolton, as the Old Testament story is retold in Handel's one time with witty anachronisms from costume designer Katrin Lea Tag.
Filmed in High Definition and recorded in true surround sound.
DVD
Genre: Opera
Release Date: 01/03/2017
Sound Formats: Dolby Stereo; LPCM stereo; DTS Surround
Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic
Subtitles: EN, FR, DE (all); ES, IT (Giulio Cesare); KO (Saul)
Catalogue Number: OA1225BD
BLU-RAY
Genre: Opera
Release Date: 01/03/2017
Sound Formats: Dolby Stereo; LPCM stereo; DTS master audio
Ratio: 16:9
Subtitles: EN, FR, DE (all); ES, IT (Giulio Cesare); KO (Saul)
Catalogue Number: OABD7211BD
Conductor(s):
William Christie (Giulio Cesare); Ottavio Dantone (Rinaldo); Ivor Bolton (Saul)
William Christie (Giulio Cesare); Ottavio Dantone (Rinaldo); Ivor Bolton (Saul)
Artist(s):
Sarah Connolly; Angelika Kirchschlager; Danielle de Niese; Sonia Prina; Anett Fritsch; Brenda Rae; Christopher Purves; Iestyn Davies; Lucy Crowe; William Christie (Giulio Cesare); Ottavio Dantone (Rinaldo); Ivor Bolton (Saul)
Sarah Connolly; Angelika Kirchschlager; Danielle de Niese; Sonia Prina; Anett Fritsch; Brenda Rae; Christopher Purves; Iestyn Davies; Lucy Crowe; William Christie (Giulio Cesare); Ottavio Dantone (Rinaldo); Ivor Bolton (Saul)
"Extravagantly laid out on three DVDs, the Opus Arte version is important in offering a fine period performance of this most popular of the Handel operas. William Christie conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and an outstanding cast in an account at once scholarly, lively and refreshing, a live recording of the 2005 production at Glyndebourne." (The Penguin Guide - Giulio Cesare)
"A splendid cast and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, conducted with a firm hand by Ottavio Dantone, kept one’s spirits up. Sonia Prina’s mezzo-soprano excelled." (The Daily Telegraph - Rinaldo)
"Musically this evening is well-nigh flawless. No praise too high for the singing of Davies, Appleby, and Purves; of Lucy Crowe and Sophie Bevan as Merab and Michal respectively, and of Benjamin Hullett as a cross between a clown and a soothsayer." (The Independent ★★★★★)
"A splendid cast and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, conducted with a firm hand by Ottavio Dantone, kept one’s spirits up. Sonia Prina’s mezzo-soprano excelled." (The Daily Telegraph - Rinaldo)
"Musically this evening is well-nigh flawless. No praise too high for the singing of Davies, Appleby, and Purves; of Lucy Crowe and Sophie Bevan as Merab and Michal respectively, and of Benjamin Hullett as a cross between a clown and a soothsayer." (The Independent ★★★★★)
Sarah Connolly (Cesare (Giulio Cesare)); Angelika Kirchschlager (Sesto (Giulio Cesare)); Danielle de Niese (Cleopatra (Giulio Cesare)); Sonia Prina (Rinaldo (Rinaldo)); Anett Fritsch (Almirena (Rinaldo)); Brenda Rae (Armida (Rinaldo)); Christopher Purves (Saul (Saul)); Iestyn Davies (David (Saul)); Lucy Crowe (Merab (Saul))
This set brings together three of Handel's most compelling works for the stage in lavish Glyndebourne productions featuring period-instrument accompaniment from the renowned Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. David McVicar directs an all-star cast in Guilio Cesare, combining serious insight with entertainment to bring the masterpiece to life, aided by vivid playing from the OAE under William Christie. In Robert Carsen's fun-filled transformation of Rinaldo, lacrosse sticks and bicycles lend the fantasy's warriors and witches contemporary chic, with conductor Ottavio Dantone leading a youthful cast from the keyboard in Handelian fashion. Director Barrie Kosky's Glyndebourne debut, Saul stole the 2015 festival season and had critics raving. The Glyndebourne Chorus plays an outstanding role, and the OAE sparkles under Ivor Bolton, as the Old Testament story is retold in Handel's one time with witty anachronisms from costume designer Katrin Lea Tag.
Filmed in High Definition and recorded in true surround sound.
DVD
Genre: Opera
Release Date: 01/03/2017
Sound Formats: Dolby Stereo; LPCM stereo; DTS Surround
Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic
Subtitles: EN, FR, DE (all); ES, IT (Giulio Cesare); KO (Saul)
Catalogue Number: OA1225BD
BLU-RAY
Genre: Opera
Release Date: 01/03/2017
Sound Formats: Dolby Stereo; LPCM stereo; DTS master audio
Ratio: 16:9
Subtitles: EN, FR, DE (all); ES, IT (Giulio Cesare); KO (Saul)
Catalogue Number: OABD7211BD
Conductor(s):
William Christie (Giulio Cesare); Ottavio Dantone (Rinaldo); Ivor Bolton (Saul)
William Christie (Giulio Cesare); Ottavio Dantone (Rinaldo); Ivor Bolton (Saul)
Artist(s):
Sarah Connolly; Angelika Kirchschlager; Danielle de Niese; Sonia Prina; Anett Fritsch; Brenda Rae; Christopher Purves; Iestyn Davies; Lucy Crowe; William Christie (Giulio Cesare); Ottavio Dantone (Rinaldo); Ivor Bolton (Saul)
Sarah Connolly; Angelika Kirchschlager; Danielle de Niese; Sonia Prina; Anett Fritsch; Brenda Rae; Christopher Purves; Iestyn Davies; Lucy Crowe; William Christie (Giulio Cesare); Ottavio Dantone (Rinaldo); Ivor Bolton (Saul)
"Extravagantly laid out on three DVDs, the Opus Arte version is important in offering a fine period performance of this most popular of the Handel operas. William Christie conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and an outstanding cast in an account at once scholarly, lively and refreshing, a live recording of the 2005 production at Glyndebourne." (The Penguin Guide - Giulio Cesare)
"A splendid cast and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, conducted with a firm hand by Ottavio Dantone, kept one’s spirits up. Sonia Prina’s mezzo-soprano excelled." (The Daily Telegraph - Rinaldo)
"Musically this evening is well-nigh flawless. No praise too high for the singing of Davies, Appleby, and Purves; of Lucy Crowe and Sophie Bevan as Merab and Michal respectively, and of Benjamin Hullett as a cross between a clown and a soothsayer." (The Independent ★★★★★)
"A splendid cast and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, conducted with a firm hand by Ottavio Dantone, kept one’s spirits up. Sonia Prina’s mezzo-soprano excelled." (The Daily Telegraph - Rinaldo)
"Musically this evening is well-nigh flawless. No praise too high for the singing of Davies, Appleby, and Purves; of Lucy Crowe and Sophie Bevan as Merab and Michal respectively, and of Benjamin Hullett as a cross between a clown and a soothsayer." (The Independent ★★★★★)
