Graun, C H: Montezuma

The Aztecs are sung by women; the Spaniards by men: it sounds daft, but it works, thanks to fine singing and handsome staging. — BBC Music Magazine, February 2013, 4 out of 5 stars

Release Date: 28th May 2012
Catalogue No: 101629
Label: Arthaus Musik
Series: Deutsche Oper Berlin

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Guest Appearance of Deutsche Oper Berlin 1982. Live recorded at the Markgräfl iche Opernhaus Bayreuth
Alexandra Papadjiakou (Montezuma), Sophie Boulin (Eupaforice), Gudrun Sieber (Erissena), Catherine Gayer (Tezeuco), Barbara Vogel (Pilpatoè), Walton Grönroos (Ferdinand Cortes) & Karl-Ernst Mercker (Narvès)
Deutsche Oper Berlin
Hans Hilsdor

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Stage Directed, Set & Costume Design by Herbert Wernicke.

World Premiere Recording on DVD.

Carl Heinrich Graun (1704–1759) wrote a total of 27 operas for the Berlin court and not least for Frederick II. In 1742 his Cleopatra e Cesare was performed at the opening of the “Haus Unter den Linden”, and in 1755 he wrote his most impressive work – Montezuma. The opera tells the tragic story of the last ruler of the Aztecs, who lost his power and ultimately his life to the Spanish conquistadores. The libretto, in French prose, was written by none other than the Emperor of Prussia himself – Frederick II – and translated into Italian verse by his court poet. The music, written by his kapellmeister Graun, is as virtuosic as it is expressive – highly rewarding for singers and attractive for audiences. Montezuma is an opera that points forward to the future – to Gluck and even to Mozart.

In 1982, Deutsche Oper Berlin came to Bayreuth to perform Herbert Wernicke‘s impressive production in the baroque surroundings of the Markgräfliche Opernhaus (opened in 1748).

Sound Format: PCM Mono

Picture Format: 4:3

DVD Format: DVD 9, NTSC

Subtitles: DE (Original Language), GB, FR, ES, IT

Running Time: 140 mins

FSK: 0

Reviews

February 2013

The Aztecs are sung by women; the Spaniards by men: it sounds daft, but it works, thanks to fine singing and handsome staging.

Graun, C H: Montezuma

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