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DVD Description
A major contribution to "Handel Year", this spectacular DVD features countertenor star Andreas Scholl performing in Handel's classic comedy Partenope.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 35 people found the following review helpful
I went to see this production 6 times (plus one dress rehearsal) in Copenhagen, so I was all too aware of the fact that the production was cursed. Andreas Scholl wasn't on form until the last few shows and Tuva Semmingsen missed 4½ performances out of a total of 8, due to a sore throat (they probably handed the 'contagion' back and forth between them). Consequently, there wasn't one single performance where all 6 singers were at their best. The fact that that goes by (almost) unnoticed on this DVD is due to the editing. It also goes a long way in explaining the numerous closeups and odd angles used by the editors - they must have had to be rather creative.
The DVD captures everything that was great about this performance - great singing and acting by all involved and I even spotted a few details that I had missed on all my live viewings, despite owning a great pair of binoculars. It is both moving and hilarious. The staging is modern but very unobtrusive - it works! Concerto Copenhagen are amazing as always and the stage direction is also very impressive.
The sound quality is much better than anticipated (and much better than on Giulio Cesare, despite having been recorded at the same theatre) - I was expecting it to suffer from the cutting and pasting, which it hasn't.
I highly recommend this DVD - even if you're weary of baroque opera. The battle scene alone is worth the price of 'admission'.
(If you want more, I recommend this: Handel - Giulio Cesare (Mortensen, Concerto Copenhagen) [DVD] [2007] [US Import] - 4 of the singers in Partenope took part in that production, along with the stage director, conductor and orchestra).
The DVD captures everything that was great about this performance - great singing and acting by all involved and I even spotted a few details that I had missed on all my live viewings, despite owning a great pair of binoculars. It is both moving and hilarious. The staging is modern but very unobtrusive - it works! Concerto Copenhagen are amazing as always and the stage direction is also very impressive.
The sound quality is much better than anticipated (and much better than on Giulio Cesare, despite having been recorded at the same theatre) - I was expecting it to suffer from the cutting and pasting, which it hasn't.
I highly recommend this DVD - even if you're weary of baroque opera. The battle scene alone is worth the price of 'admission'.
(If you want more, I recommend this: Handel - Giulio Cesare (Mortensen, Concerto Copenhagen) [DVD] [2007] [US Import] - 4 of the singers in Partenope took part in that production, along with the stage director, conductor and orchestra).
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Handel: Partenope [DVD] [2009]
If like me Handel operas and countertenors are not for you, think again, because Partenope is not a mythological or historical opera seria, is very much a human drama of uncertainty and longing for love with deceptions in relationships all of which translate into a modern setting pretty convincingly.
Countertenors Adreas Scholl (Arsace) and Christolphe Dumaux (Amindo) have an engaging warmth to their voices that blend well with the sopranos IngerDam-Jensen (Partenope) and Tuva Semmingsen (Rosmira). These four characters are in a confused four way love trauma. Adding to the angst is Emilio ((Bo Kristian Jensen) arriving with an army to woo Partenope.
Some of the framing of the action is unusual, read the interesting review by Karen Henriksen for the background to production problems.
Don't be put off by the baffling choice of front label picture, all the cast are in modern dress and fully clad at all times.
If you are a Handel opera lover, or like me wish to dip your toe, this is a great choice with good sound and video..
If like me Handel operas and countertenors are not for you, think again, because Partenope is not a mythological or historical opera seria, is very much a human drama of uncertainty and longing for love with deceptions in relationships all of which translate into a modern setting pretty convincingly.
Countertenors Adreas Scholl (Arsace) and Christolphe Dumaux (Amindo) have an engaging warmth to their voices that blend well with the sopranos IngerDam-Jensen (Partenope) and Tuva Semmingsen (Rosmira). These four characters are in a confused four way love trauma. Adding to the angst is Emilio ((Bo Kristian Jensen) arriving with an army to woo Partenope.
Some of the framing of the action is unusual, read the interesting review by Karen Henriksen for the background to production problems.
Don't be put off by the baffling choice of front label picture, all the cast are in modern dress and fully clad at all times.
If you are a Handel opera lover, or like me wish to dip your toe, this is a great choice with good sound and video..
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
I would have to agree with the review given by Florence - the camera work is terrible. So much so that the DVD was incredibly annoying to watch and I eventually gave up and just listened to it - this is coming from someone who is a great fan of opera DVDs! Strange angles/distances combined with far too much flicking between directions creates an almost disorienting effect, which is a great shame.
The production seemed to work, though I won't particularly comment on it due to only watching Act I. From what I did see, and from listening to it, it was an accomplished cast. IngerDam-Jensen was excellent in the title role, with Tuva Semmingsen a similarly engaging Rosmira. I'm not a fan of Andreas Scholl's voice, though many are. Christolphe Dumaux's Armindo was much more pleasing in my opinion, though both men's voices sounded wonderful when paired with another for duets. Vocally I would give the production 4 stars without reservation, but I would unfortunately have to advise anyone against getting this DVD.
The production seemed to work, though I won't particularly comment on it due to only watching Act I. From what I did see, and from listening to it, it was an accomplished cast. IngerDam-Jensen was excellent in the title role, with Tuva Semmingsen a similarly engaging Rosmira. I'm not a fan of Andreas Scholl's voice, though many are. Christolphe Dumaux's Armindo was much more pleasing in my opinion, though both men's voices sounded wonderful when paired with another for duets. Vocally I would give the production 4 stars without reservation, but I would unfortunately have to advise anyone against getting this DVD.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Superb opera
I was luky when I found to purchase this dvd at this price. It is a fine Handel in an amasing performance. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Alexandru
Good value
Singing and orchestral playing excellent and for once the production is neither too intrusive nor depressing. Andreas does a great job with his moving third act aria.
Published 3 months ago by Richard
Important recording of a lesser known opera
At the end of this magical recording you will envy the reviewer who saw the performance live six times. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Simon F
Entertaining
Very well sung throughout and a most entertaining modern production. Whether it was meant to be so farcical is a moot point but it is exceptionally well done. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Waldteufel
Good production, good singers, amateurish filming
I am glad this production was filmed, as we only got it in concert form at the Proms in UK, and it was good to see the real thing. Read more
Published on 4 April 2010 by Florence
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