Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18158 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-09-14
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Formats: Colour, NTSC
• Original language: Italian
• Subtitled in: Chinese, English, French, German, Spanish
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 187 minutes

DVD Description
A major contribution to "Handel Year", this spectacular DVD features countertenor star Andreas Scholl performing in Handel's classic comedy Partenope.

Customer Reviews

Even better than expected
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).

Great performance of Handel opera that modernises well.
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..