Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #64613 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-12-05
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Classical, Colour, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD-Video, Import, PAL, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 173 minutes

Customer Reviews

A huge disappointment
Thisa DVD runs counter to everything I believe in concerning sensitive and historically informed performances of Handel. The transposition of castrato parts to tenors, the alteration of the structure by moving areas or adding extraneous material, and other alterations in the instrumentation, etc. make this a disappointing affair. There is some good playing and acting, and the set is interesting at certain points, but this performance just doesn't reach the mark of acceptability. You have to compare this with the beautiful Glyndebourne productions of Giulio Cesare or Theodora, to see how far off the mark this DVD is. Think twice before ordering.

Handel with sparkle
Well the two previous views could hardly be more polarised, but I lean strongly towards the second. The main thing about this performance is the artistry and energy of the combattimento consort of Amsterdam, responding to the daring and originality of the young Handel. As for the singers, they are not all of equal quality but the Agrippina, Poppeia and Claudio are very fine, and so is the minor role of Pallante. The staging may be ditzy as it so often is with Handel nowadays, but it is all good fun, like Claudio's undergarments - such a contrast with his noble voice. Fun with sex too. Not just Claudio's rutting, but hints of lesbianism and incest. Couldn't have enjoyed it more.

playing with zeal
For the appreciation of art two attitudes are essential: an open mind and a personal judgement. When I saw this DVD for the first time I was flabbergasted. Playing young Handel like this is wonderful. I don't bother whether countertenors are replaces by tenors. All the singers do en excellent job. And the conductor Jan Willem de Vriend eaquals William Christie and Marc Minkowski. At the end of the opera I felt happy and full of joy. That of course is the power of Handel and the enthusiasm of the Vriend and his chamber orchestra. The staging was modern and adequate. It was a good idea of de Vriend to place the orchestra and the stage on the same level in order to enhance the dialogue between individual members of the orchestra and the singers. This opera interpretation is outstanding. Highly recommended.