DVD Videos

“The drama is played straight, the mythical elements respected, with towering giants, sinister Nibelungen, and suitable god-like gods… musically this is equally promising. Haenchen's studied reading… is refreshingly brisk, as Wagner preferred.” BBC Music Magazine, May 2006 ****

“Amsterdam’s new Ring has begun very promisingly: the crucial architecture is already in place” The Independent

“Serreau knows how to use her mostly young cast to get a laugh without being silly and it was the right theatrical touch for this delicious masterpiece. With singing that ranged from good to great, it made for an appealing evening.” MusicWeb International

“… and it is safe to say that these performances set a standard that would be hard to surpass - visually they are a delight. Luciana Serra as Giulia meets the coloratura demands easily, Alessandro Corbelli plays the role of Germano to the hilt. But possibly the best moments of the opera are the ensembles, razor-edged in precision and bubbling with vitality.” (Opera News)

“This is an excellently sung, played and staged production of this lovely, lyrical opera” Canberra Times

“Wit, ingenuity, and a veritable riot of colourful and restless spectacle continue to make The Australian Opera production of The Mikado an experience designed to seduce the eye, charm the ear, and tickle the rib.” Sydney Morning Herald

“Vickers's account is well matched by Verrett. Committed conducting and strong visuals in Nolan's designs.” BBC Music Magazine, May 2006 *****

“Among the best DVDs ever made of a Handelian production.” Opera News

“…it's the grand portrait of Dejanira that holds the attention in a marvellously evocative performance from Joyce DiDonato… Les Arts Florissants responds to William Christie's firm yet subtle conducting with immaculate playing, while Luc Bondy's modern-dress production searches out the work's truth in a considered, finely-honed dramatic realisation.” BBC Music Magazine, March 2006 ****

“Luc Bondy's Aix-en-Provence production, here captured at a later Paris performance, confirms that Hercules is superb theatre. Many of Bondy's ideas about detail and stagecraft are impressive and convincing. In Sophocles, Hercules is a serial adulterer; but in Handel's drama it is transparent that he and lole are innocent. Instead, Bondy portrays Dejanira as an innocent victim, lole as a scheming greedy hypocrite, and Hercules as a thoroughly unpleasant cad. All three characterisations grind against Handel's music. But if you accept that this is a distorted invention based on Handel's drama, it becomes an accomplished and powerful experience. Joyce DiDonato's finest moment as the nervously twitching Dejanira is a penetrating, tearful performance of 'Cease, ruler of the day to rise'... Swedish soprano Ingela Bohlin has striking looks and a lovely clear voice: Iole's 'My father!' and 'My breast with tender pity swells' are highlights. Toby Spence's articulate singing makes him a potent Hyllus... The chorus of Les Arts Florissants sings with clarity, precision and a good sense of the libretto's meaning...” Gramophone Magazine, April 2006