Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superlative, 9 Jun 2006
I was fortunate enough to see the second performance at Glyndebourne last year. I will never forget the performance, nor the date: 7th July 2005 ... the day of the London Bombings.
Aside from my personal feelings about the outrage, there were two consequences for the performance. Firstly, at least 10% of the seats were empty - something almost unheard of - because so many of those coming down from London were unable to travel. Secondly, in response, everybody involved gave more than 100%, to put on an astonishing performance.
I have recently bought 5 copies of the DVD All but one will be given to friends and relations around the world. But I have already played my own copy several times.
I can only agree with the two rave reviews already written. But these were really about the live performances they saw rather than the DVDs. These are filmed at HD quality, over - I think - the last two performances. And it was clear to me that the production had developed beyond what I saw.
Also there is a large amount of additional features included.
These range from a very helpful visual synopsis of the plot, and a number of photos, to a couple of enthralling interviews. The first is with Danielle de Niese - the young American singer playing Cleopatra, who deservedly stole the show - and her substantial and highly entertaining account of the Glyndebourne experience and what it meant for her. The second, longer and, for the opera lover, even more fascinating, is a discussion with the major participants, including Conductor William Christie and Stage Director David McVicar.
I do not believe that a better opera DVD at present exists.
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33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Belcantoboy, 10 Aug 2006
If you only buy 1 opera on DVD this year (or even this decade) this is the one to buy. I have watched this so many times already with, of course, repeats of some particular favourite arias.
This is a recording of probably the best production of any opera you will ever see. I have been going to the opera live for more years than I care to remember and have more recordings that I can store. Yes, I saw this live (on one of the 2 dates it was recorded last year for this DVD). I even had to give up my booked seats for the camera and camera man!
This was a triumph at last years BBC proms as well as at Glyndebourne. Try reading the reviews given in the papers in 2005. No wonder it is a sell out with the slightly different cast at Glyndebourne this year. Again rave reviews in papers.
The staging is just a joy from beginning to end. It is impossible to single out any of the soloists as being better than the others. Each in their different way brings something special to this opera and makes an important contribution to the whole. The orchestra are renown for their playing and make a major contribution to a very special recording.
If this recording seems expensive remember that it is a 3 DVD set and is a lot cheaper that going to Glyndebourne. Ideally you should go AND buy the DVD. I was exceptionally lucky and did just that.
If you have never seen and opera or never seen a Handel opera staged, then this will be an eye opener. You will then understand why people are prepared to spend £160 a seat to see opera at Glyndebourne and the house is sold out.
"Of all the noises known to man, opera is the most expensive."
- Molière (1645)
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27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
David McVicar's done it again!, 5 April 2006
By A Customer
I went to see this live and I can't even begin to describe the atmosphere of the audience. They nearly took the roof off while applauding at the end, and I can really see why.
I am an avid Classical music fan, but for me nearly four hours of Handel is usually deathly. This production, however, kept me entertained throughout. The sets and costumes are sumptuous, the performances are spot on, the musical performance is superb, and the youthful cast bring real energy to the stage. Some of the set pieces are truly inspired, such as the presentation of Pompey's head on a silver platter in the opening scene. The dance sequences could come strait out of Bollywood cinema, and complement the dance forms of the arias they accompany.
The cast are truly, truly outstanding. Sarah Connolly is absolutely fantastic as Cesare. Her vocal range and quality is amazing and she plays a man incredibly well; her Cesare is incredibly powerful and ever so slightly chauvenistic. Danielle De Niese's Cleopatra is quite a spoilt brat, but she's so lovable and fabulous with it you fall quite in love with her. I love her diva-like friendship with the camper than Christmas Nireno, played to the letter by Rachid Ben Abdeslam. Christophe Dumax is a splendid Tolemeo; brattish, vindictive, narcissistic, yet very attractive with it. What with him and Christopher Maltman's powerfully sung, dominating Achilla and Alexander Ashworth's kilt-clad Curio, it's enough to recommend any girl to buy this DVD simply for the beautiful men, even if they can't stand opera. Seriously, I can't recommend this DVD enough. It has converted me to Handel; before this production I couldn't stand him or Boroque music in general. David Mc Vicar is an actual genius, and should be knighted. Maybe even cannonised.
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