DVD + Blu-Ray:
Handel: Saul from Theater an der Wien
2009, Claus Guth staged a highly impressive “Messiah” at the Theater an der Wien. With "Saul", he created again breathtaking musical theater at its finest.
Florian Boesch in the title role dominates the production as the ruler slipping into madness. Boesch is an elemental force that attracts attention on stage like a black hole. As David, British countertenor Jake Arditti gives a perfect presentation of the change from the innocent boy to the man who, after many dramatic events, becomes Saul’s successor. "The pure Handel stroke of luck!" (Neue Musikzeitung). Anna Prohaska (Merab), Giulia Semenzato (Michal) and Rupert Charlesworth (Jonathan) perform convincingly the roles of Saul’s children who succumb to David’s physical and spiritual charms. The Freiburger Barockorchester under Christopher Moulds holds a finely textured balance between powerful ensemble and delicate solo passages of Handel’s score. The Arnold Schoenberg Choir’s nuanced singing - alternately exulting, admonitory or mournful - is as inspiring as the sound of the renowned period-instrument ensemble.
"Handel vividly, today, as a mirror of the metamorphoses of power." (Kurier)
"Florian Boesch as Saul is a vocal and acting elemental force, simply an ideal cast." (Die Presse)
Original title Handel: Saul from Theater an der Wien
Genre Opera
Recording location Theater an der Wien, April 2021
Duration 158 mins
Production Company A co-production of Unitel, ORF in cooperation with Theater an der Wien/Vereinigte Bühnen Wien and Mezzo with the support of AGRANA
Composer George Frideric Handel
Orchestra / Band Freiburger Barockorchester
Conductor Christopher Moulds
Choir Arnold Schoenberg Chor
Chorus Master Erwin Ortner
Stage Director Claus Guth
Soloist Florian Boesch, Jake Arditti, Anna Prohaska, Giulia Semenzato, Rupert Charlesworth
YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN...
DVD + Blu-Ray: Jean-Guillaume Bart's La Source / Opéra de Paris
NAXOS Audiovisual Division
The first ever release of the lost spectacular ballet La Source set to the glorious music by Minkus and Delibes with a choreography by Jean-Guillaume Bart.
DVD: Puccini's masterpiece sung by opera's finest stars
Opus Arte
Puccini’s masterpiece Manon Lescaut, sung by some of opera’s finest stars in this archive recording.
MMM – Nigel Kennedy & The Four Seasons
sounding images
A new episode of „Magic Moments of Music“: In 1989, Nigel Kennedy’s recording of The Four Seasons causes a turmoil in the world of classical music.
DVD + Blu-Ray: Tero Saarinen Company
Bel Air Media
A new release centered around choreographer Tero Saarinen, featuring a dance work (Third Practice) and a documentary (Rooted with Wings).