Opus Arte Monteverdi Cycle Box Set [DVD] [2007]

Opus Arte is proud to present Pierre Audi's profound and refined productions of Monteverdi's opera masterpieces from the Amsterdam Muziektheater as a complete 9.5 hour box set. As a bonus disc, this box set includes the previously unreleased Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda, starring Lorna Anderson and Maarten Koningberger, with the ASKO Ensemble led boldly by David Porcelijn. Works: Monteverdi: L'incoronazione di Poppea (Cynthia Haymon; Brigitte Balleys; Michael Chance; Claron McFadden; Heidi Grant Murphy; Ning Liang; Les Talens Lyriques; Christophe Rousset) Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria (Anthony Rolfe Johnson; Graciela Araya; Toby Spence; Jaco Huijpen; Christopher Gillet; Brian Asawa; Baroque Ensemble; Glen Wilson) L'Orfeo (John Mark Ainsley; Juanita Lascarro; Michael Chance; David Cordier; Mario Luperi; Brigitte Balleys; Tragicomedia; Concerto Palatino; Stephen Stubbs) Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda (Lorna Anderson; Maarten Koningsberger; Adrian Martin; ASKO Ensemble; David Porcelijn) Press Reviews "With his new production for Netherlands Opera of Orfeo, Pierre Audi has completed a well-received cycle of Monteverdi's major stage works. On stage we saw the usual Audi juxtaposition of elements: some vast tree trunks, a stone wall, an immense round pond, and later, fire. The prologue was magnificently sung by the counter-tenor David Cordier as La Musica...The chorus sang with such spirit and refinement that one regretted that they did not have more to do...Stephen Stubbs, seconded by Emmanuelle Haïm playing various keyboard instruments, led his ensemble Tragicomedia with obvious affection and understanding. All the instrumentalists played with fluent ease, a long way from the scratchy ‘authentic’ bands of 20 years ago!" (Opera) "A strikingly staged, beautifully sung production." (The New York Times - Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria) "Dutch treat - Amsterdam has a model opera company: fresh, controversial and accessible...this Poppea is a quality product of self-evidently world class distinction." (The Sunday Times) "This latest version is virtually complete and, in musical terms, it has the most consistent cast yet - mezzo-soprano Brigitte Balleys as Nero is credibly masculine...Ning Liang is darkly dignified as Ottavia, countertenor Michael Chance (Ottone) and bass Harry van der Kamp (Seneca) are rock steady in their roles. " (BBC Music Magazine - L'incoronazione di Poppea) "Frankly, if you want a DVD of Orfeo, this should be your first option." (Musicweb International) Cast Cynthia Haymon (Poppea) Anthony Rolfe Johnson (Ulisse) John Mark Ainsley (Orfeo) Les Talens Lyriques; Baroque Ensemble; Tragicomedia and Concerto Palatino; ASKO Ensemble; Christophe Rousset; Glen Wilson; Stephen Stubbs; David Porcelijn Stage Director: Pierre Audi Catalogue Number: OA0972BD Running Time: 566 minutes Sound: DTS Surround; LPCM Stereo Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic Subtitles: EN, FR, DE, ES, IT, NL Label: Opus Arte