Giulio Cesare - Handel details
| Format: | Ex DVD |
|---|---|
| Starring: | William Christie, Glyndebourne Chorus, Ange, Christophe Dumaux, Danielle De Niese, Orch Of The Age Of Enlightenment, Sarah Connolly, Angelika Kirchschlager, Rachid Ben Abdeslam |
| Director: | David McVicar |
| Genres: | Music/Musical - Opera/Operetta, Performing Arts, World Cinema - Italian |
| Studio: | OPUS ARTE MEDIA PRODUCTIONS |
| Name | Discs | |
|---|---|---|
Giulio Cesare - Handel - Disc 1 |
Ex Disc 1 | |
Giulio Cesare - Handel - Disc 2 |
Ex Disc 2 | |
Giulio Cesare - Handel - Disc 3 |
Ex Disc 3 |
DVD Information
| Run time: | 4 hours 55 minutes |
|---|---|
| Rental release: | Not available for rental |
| Main languages: | Italian |
| Subtitles: | English, French, German, Italian, Spanish |
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Most helpful review
Energetic, quirky presentation of a fantastic opera
By Jessica from London , 30 May 2006[Highly rated reviewer]
It can be a challenge staging an opera the length of Giulio Cesare in a way that keeps the audience interested. This Glyndebourne production is lively and full of character and does an excellent job of keeping you on board.
Excellent singing and acting from all the cast - particularly notable is Sarah Connolly as a very convincing Julius Caesar. Cleopatra and Cornelia are both excellent too.
The production slips effortlessly from quirky dances (including a few delightfully camp numbers) to dramatically physical fight scenes - and then to moments of stillness and desperate sadness (the Cornelia/Sesto duet 'son nata a lagrimar' for example is heartbreaking). Having said that, there are some awkward moments - Sesto in particular seems to be placed in some very weird positions. Sometimes the ornamentation of the da capo sections struck me as a bit eccentric. Oh, and some of the costumes are a bit odd - though most of them are very sumptuous!
Perhaps also worth mentioning - for those who aren't familiar with this opera - that it's rather a loose adaptation that doesn't seem to owe much to any version of the Caesar/Cleopatra story I'd ever come across before. And the way everything is sorted out at the end is just a little improbable... But still, some gorgeous set pieces.
Overall, a very enjoyable production.- Was this review helpful to you?
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All reviews
(11)Handel -- Giulio Cesare
By a customer from Suffolk , 01 Feb 2010This production gave us outstanding singing -- especially from Cesare, Cleopatra and Sesto, but there were no weak links -- and marvellous playing from the orchestra (and the solo violinist). The production itself was fascinating, in places strange, and ultimately compelling, and David McVicar's interview most illuminating. Altogether a triumph.
Two worries. As others have suggested, 2 disks might have been possible. And on the copy we had the subtitles were incomplete and often unintelligible with rarely more than a few words for any recitative or aria.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Guilio Cesare
By a customer from Solihull , 28 Nov 2009I was disappointed to receive this version and not the Glyndebourne/David McVicar production. The LoveFilm website was confusing as it showed this version using the cover of the Glyndebourne one.
However the singing was very good, albeit with poor dubbing sync.
Some hilarious moments, dodgy scenery and make-up.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Giulio Cesare: Handel
By a customer from Warrington , 11 Oct 2009I am not an accomplished opera buff, but I love opera. This opera was, to me, absolutely perfect. The singing of Sarah Conolly and Danielle de Neise enthralled me. The sets and perfect costumes, redolent of
C19th. Orientalism and British Imperialism, struck the right tone. A veritable colourful and georgeous feast to watch and listen to. There is much delicious humour and a very careful and knowing observation of the contrast between western and oriental mannerisms. It's the best opera I've seen on DVD so far and it's on my 'must buy' list if only to gaze on the beauty of Danielle de Niese.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Man or Woman?
By a customer from Dunscore , 05 Nov 2008Sarah Connolly strides on stage - effortlessly a man. Every gesture carefully thought through and completely convincing. This is a Julius Caesar who is - above everything else - powerful. Then - he sings. And a voice of such purity - such power - such conviction - that all the other scenes (well-staged and sung as they are) become preludes to his re-entrance. Look out in particular for his magnificently choreographed Act 1 aria. Can't recommend highly enough.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Truly Outstanding
By shuunya (12 reviews) from St. Albans , 22 Aug 2008Some might be put off by the length of this opera... it is spread over 3 discs. Don't be - this is complete theatre from start to finish. This is first David McVicar production I have seen and I will definately be seeking out this amazing director. The concept of setting the opera in colonial Egypt appears to work very well - so all you opera traditionalists - don't worry! Enjoy!
It is full of pain, love and some great, great comic moments. Hats off to Danielle De Niese (DDN) and her portrayal of Cleopatra; at one point scheming and conniving and at others totally smitten. I never thought I would see the day in the world of opera to see bollywood-style dances but that is what you get from DDN AND wonderfully her sidekick (cannot find his name now).
Sarah Connelly is completely convincing as Giulio Cesare with the right amount of gravitas and sheer emotion. She not only makes a convincing man (I know it is difficult sometimes to suspend disbelieve in these breeches roles) but also a convincing leader of men. Look out for the duet between Connelly's Giulio and the on-stage violinist - 'Se in fiorito'.... so beautiful. (Check out the documentary and find the inspiration behind this aria... birdsong).
Patricia Bardon's Cornelia is almost too painful as you see this woman's grief over the murder of her husband.... and Angelika Kirchschlager as Sesto, Cornelia's son, produces some great revenge arias - hugely impressive.
Christophe Dumaux is a wonderful physical and 'slimy' Toleomeo - he can bring menace and humour just to one scene. I was hugely impressed by the baritone Christopher Maltman as the ghastly Achilla.... again a very physical and powerful performance. I will certainly be looking out for his performances in the future.
Really I cannot fault this production.... I haven't seen that many operas yet to be a true judge but you cannot mistake the theatricality of this production and the wonderful cast.- Was this review helpful to you?
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