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DVD : Alceste [Region 2]
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Alceste [Region 2] starring: Anne Sofie von Otter, Paul Groves, Dietrich Henschel, Yann Beuron, Ludovic Tézier directed by: Brian Large |
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Binding: DVD EAN: 4006680101606 Format: NTSC Number Of Discs: 1 Region Code: 2 Theatrical Release Date: 2000 Related Items:
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Editorial Review: Amazon.com: Rebelling against the increasingly formulaic operas of the time, Christoph Willibald Gluck's "reformist" opera Alceste (1767) was a successful attempt to return to a purer form of musical drama. It is highly appropriate that this 1999 production of the revised 1776 Paris version should be conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner, with the English Baroque Soloists and Monteverdi Choir, the same forces responsible for many fine Bach performances equally emphasizing character and text. In setting the tragic story of the profound love between Queen Alceste and her husband King Admète, Gluck provided a score of austere, rending beauty. Principals Anne Sofie von Otter and Paul Groves dominate the production as much through the power of their acting as their musical prowess. The major scenes are electrifying in their emotional intensity. Contrasting with this psychological realism are the simple, Greek-inspired designs by Robert Wilson. Silhouetted, geometric shapes glide gracefully through the slow-motion movements of the actors, bringing an hypnotic, dreamlike quality to the work. Near-constant blue lighting adds a sense of late-evening tranquillity, giving the stage a highly distinctive look and a feeling of dislocation in space and time. Both chilling and uplifting, this Alceste is a triumph. --Gary S. Dalkin, Amazon.co.uk Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
 Rating:  - Willibald Gets the BluesWhen is a CD more visually exciting than a DVD? That's not a joke; the answer is this Chatelet production of Gluck's Alceste. I've watched glaciers - literally - for hours, and seen more action than this.Was Brian Large, the director, momentarily suffering a post-encephalitic syndrome such as Oliver Sachs reported in Awakenings? LSD could not make this staging meaningful. This Alceste makes Wagner's Rheingold seem like a Rossini romp. It turns "Remenbrance of Things Past" into a haiku. It makes the American election process seem cogent. What do you get when you pop this disk into your player? Blue. Faded Levi blue. A blue backdrop with hazy blue stage lights, sectioned by various blackish pillars and cubes. A small blue cube gyrates ... Read More: Rating:  - A Moving AlcesteI am not a modernist. I harangue endlessly about placing an opera in an appropriate setting, time and place that is consistant to the story or the era of the composer. But the timeless setting of Robert Wilson's Alceste as conducted by Sir Eliot Gardiner seems almost perfect. The addition of the ballet-chorus takes the story back to it's Greek drama roots and puts action into a long, somewhat static opera. Another reviewer likened it to Kabuki dancers, I'm reminded of Egyptian tomb paintings or Minoan vase figures. Whatever, the effect is enormous. The whole project works well with one exception. The high priests are declamatory, the Admete of Paul Groves is rivetingly regal and the pantomime dancers carry the story along. Only one element seems lacking: ... Read More: Rating: - How do you spell somber?The old Met had six composers displayed above the proscenium - Gluck, Mozart, Beethoven, Verdi, Wagner, and Gounod. How different would the list be were it done today? Gluck is hardly a favorite or popular. He is more admired as a reformer than loved as a composer. And coming to him I have always considered a task - someone I SHOULD listen to and admire. I have long hoped to finally hear Alceste. Previous recordings have been severely handicapped in one way or another. And now here it is in the French version and in video. The musical performance is wonderful. How could it be other with Gardiner in charge? Robert Wilson is always something of a chore. I don't like him generally but I must confess that he is a good choice for a static work like Alceste. ... Read More: Rating: - Yee Gads What Is This?Okay, I'll admit to the fact that this period of music is not of great interest to me. But, I decided to get it a chance. While beautifully sung and played, this is the most boring thing I have ever seen in my life. For over 2 hours the principle singers moved in slow motion most of the time with the arms and hands in statuesque like positions -- it literally put me to sleep! Maybe it was effective in theatre but it sure wasn't on video. If you want it for the music and singing I would highly recommend it -- but don't bother watching it. Rating: - ALCESTE!CHRISTOPH WILLIBALD GLUCK's sublime work is presented in a most interesting way by stage director Robert Wilson! On the one hand, "Alceste" is performed by a period instrument ensemble, the ENGLISH BAROQUE SOLOISTS, joined by the singers and dancers of the MONTVERDI CHOIR, directed by Sir John Elliot Gardiner. On the other hand, Wilson uses striking theatrical symbolism with decidedly modern overtones! Certainly worth checking out, as the singing alone is great! |
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