I just caught a recording of this production on TV the other day. I really enjoyed it... it wasn't perfect (the production that is, not the opera itself), but Danielle De Niese was definitely the highlight as Cleopatra. She really conveys a woman who is determined to get what she wants. =D
I never knew this was recorded on the day of the London bombings.
@xcorpusNYX Opera since its invention (most scholars agree on 1607 as the first opera, Montiverdi's Orfeo, however some argue that Peri was the first to write an opera 7 years earlier) has been performed without amplification. In the past 400 years not many directors have deviated from this practice.
That being said, a voice with Vibrato carries significantly further than a voice with a static like quality. This Sopranos voice is lovely. Listen to some more opera-vibrato all over the place.
Keep fit with Handel? Isit part of a Handel workout vidoe for 2008? I did like the singing though and it is hard to get a grasp of the whole - FIVE HOUR - piece from this 61 second clip. I would love to be able to see a Handel opera some day. For now I will have to content myself with these little snippets which people post. (Very grateful I am too!)
I saw this in Chicago, twice, and it's a terrific production. It ran 4 hours and 40 minutes and most members of the audience stayed for the whole thing. I especially loved the ending when the dead guys come back for the final chorus and want to be served drinks and Sesto just can't stop staring in disbelief at Ptolomeo, who he had resently killed! I decided to buy the DVD because it's such fun and I love Handel operas.
I've just see this production in Chicago.... It's AMAIZING. De Niese (Cleopatra) and Christophe Dumaux's work (Ptolomy) is SUPERB. And the production itself couldn't be better. Half (Giulio Cesare's half), inspired somewhere between WWI and WWII... The other half (Cleopatra and Ptolomey half), inspired in Bollywood ................. AMAIZING. It works just GREAT !
I just saw this production in Chicago. Great stuff. The dancing is totally appropriate given the context of the aria. Plus it makes the opera more accessable to people who would never see a Handel opera. Danielle Di Niese is a hot mess! Love her! Im gonna go see it again!!!
I agree. You can't judge this production by just this clip. As a whole, it worked, and the artists are top notch. If anything, it opened up a whole new rep for me to enjoy, and what opera needs to survive as an artform is for people to find ways to make opera accessible. This production totally did that and more. Bravo David McVicar!
So does this means that we should paint the face of Christina Aguilera on top of the Mona Lisa's to make more accessible as well? Actually a weird regie does exactly the opposite. If you can't match words with action, how are you going to understand what really goes on onstage? I don't think I need anybody to trivialize a plot for me to understand it in context.
I think it can be argued that the Mona Lisa is far more recognizable around the world than Christina. Besides, I find it difficult to understand the words even if the actions DO fit. That's what sub/supertitles are for.
I was never into opera but appreciated it when I heard her perform in Hannibal movie. are opera sung in italian, spanish? or always foreign languages and if so why?
There was a period when almost all opera were written in Italian. Several were written in German and French. In addition, some were written in many other languages. Many have been translated into English. Something gets lost in the translation. In Italian, one of the aria in La Boheme says "O beautiful days, little hands, smell of her hair. " The English translation is "Oh golden mem'ry, joys hared together! Glorious days departed." I prefer the Italian.
Funny choreography at the end there. Its sort of taking the mickey out of the Britney Spears of today, I think. To me that sort of lifts the music out of its rather historically bound set of associations into the set of associations concerning popular culture. She becomes one of them (the Britney Spears), enabling comparison, but also, the conlusion is that she is definately not. Enough of my silly ideas concerning music. Great singing, and from what I've seen, a great production!
I don't have a problem with it being delightful. But, It doesn't mean it has serious insight, it is convincing and highly intelligent.. I think what you said is irrelevant to my reply to erin129.
I've read about this production. Each Aria is set to a different style of choreography, from Bollywood to a dance hall act. It sounds fun very fun to me.
The Baroque operas I have seen have never been heavy on dramatic insight. They were composed to show off verious singers to a bunch of bored aristocrats. They are practically Orotorio anyway. Just people standing there singing arias.
No "EXPERTO".. Just a person who likes music for what it is... I don;t need a good singer to convince me with anything but his/her beautiful rendition of a song, aria, heck.. even a lullaby..
Yes she is.. She has a very strong voice despite the fact that they made her gallop like a race horse singing high tessitura:)) I think it would be much more delightful to hear her sing at ease.. Please don't think I am just talking to be against you. But really.. She is already doing a very hard task.. Why put more burden on her?
In addition to being a great singer, she's a beautiful woman. If you got it, flaunt it (within reason, of course). She doesn't seem to mind.
Actually, I think this direction is pretty restrained and tasteful (from the few clips I've seen). If you want to see this kind of go really, REALLY wrong, check out the clips of the Peter Sellars version floating around. Yeeeks!
She has an absolute ball up there, though! I get what you're saying... but this show is five hours (who said four hours?!) long with intermission. The interpretation and direction was lively, fresh, and very exciting. She's just a wonder to watch-- very delightful. As well, when recording her CD, she loves to move her body - she's a very fluid, mobile vocalist. It's refreshing.
I really enjoy the character of Sesto the most in this opera. I'm going to see if I can find the full version of this particular production.
Khenra 2 years ago
I just caught a recording of this production on TV the other day. I really enjoyed it... it wasn't perfect (the production that is, not the opera itself), but Danielle De Niese was definitely the highlight as Cleopatra. She really conveys a woman who is determined to get what she wants. =D
I never knew this was recorded on the day of the London bombings.
NotHomelessAnymore 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
TERRIBLE
gehaktmolen 2 years ago
Poor old Handel. Barrage balloons yet!
tonebarry 2 years ago
Mes excuses aux puristes, mais je veux simplement dire que je la trouve incroyablement sexy lorsquelle danse.
loositude 3 years ago
too much vibrato.. bit annoying really
xcorpusNYX 3 years ago
@xcorpusNYX Opera since its invention (most scholars agree on 1607 as the first opera, Montiverdi's Orfeo, however some argue that Peri was the first to write an opera 7 years earlier) has been performed without amplification. In the past 400 years not many directors have deviated from this practice.
That being said, a voice with Vibrato carries significantly further than a voice with a static like quality. This Sopranos voice is lovely. Listen to some more opera-vibrato all over the place.
CCtuba1 1 year ago
Get the DVD of the Glyndebourne production--it's mesmerizing. Lots of wonderful talented singers and plenty more arias by the delectible Danielle.
la200o 3 years ago 2
I saw this in the cinema (live transfer haha) and it was brilliant! Opera with comedy and life...was so good, even though VEEERRRY LONG!
X
cutieparrot007 4 years ago
Keep fit with Handel? Isit part of a Handel workout vidoe for 2008? I did like the singing though and it is hard to get a grasp of the whole - FIVE HOUR - piece from this 61 second clip. I would love to be able to see a Handel opera some day. For now I will have to content myself with these little snippets which people post. (Very grateful I am too!)
shazzer1976 4 years ago 6
I love it i "keep fit with handel" - lol! The latest fad of the rich and famous. finally, a workout DVD with good music. ^_^
ansketil 2 years ago
@shazzer1976 This opera is NOT NEARLY 5 hours long. Wagner wasn't even that crazy to make a 5 hour long opera.
CCtuba1 1 year ago
@shazzer1976
LOL
lizlk 1 year ago
I saw this in Chicago, twice, and it's a terrific production. It ran 4 hours and 40 minutes and most members of the audience stayed for the whole thing. I especially loved the ending when the dead guys come back for the final chorus and want to be served drinks and Sesto just can't stop staring in disbelief at Ptolomeo, who he had resently killed! I decided to buy the DVD because it's such fun and I love Handel operas.
DueTrombe 4 years ago
Opera in an Ab-Fab version. Like it!
pc0sence 4 years ago
I've just see this production in Chicago.... It's AMAIZING. De Niese (Cleopatra) and Christophe Dumaux's work (Ptolomy) is SUPERB. And the production itself couldn't be better. Half (Giulio Cesare's half), inspired somewhere between WWI and WWII... The other half (Cleopatra and Ptolomey half), inspired in Bollywood ................. AMAIZING. It works just GREAT !
michonet77 4 years ago
weird, just weird. I dont like this.
davcos22 4 years ago
I just saw this production in Chicago. Great stuff. The dancing is totally appropriate given the context of the aria. Plus it makes the opera more accessable to people who would never see a Handel opera. Danielle Di Niese is a hot mess! Love her! Im gonna go see it again!!!
turandot82 4 years ago
I like the voice, but do NOT like anything else I see about this production! YUCK!
artdanks 4 years ago
Awful voice. Awful choreography.
mezzosoprano2 4 years ago
Oh please... PretentiousSoprano2 sounds more likt it. Just get over it. She's fantastic. As was the production.
alemerent 4 years ago
I agree. You can't judge this production by just this clip. As a whole, it worked, and the artists are top notch. If anything, it opened up a whole new rep for me to enjoy, and what opera needs to survive as an artform is for people to find ways to make opera accessible. This production totally did that and more. Bravo David McVicar!
turandot82 4 years ago
So does this means that we should paint the face of Christina Aguilera on top of the Mona Lisa's to make more accessible as well? Actually a weird regie does exactly the opposite. If you can't match words with action, how are you going to understand what really goes on onstage? I don't think I need anybody to trivialize a plot for me to understand it in context.
DrGarri 4 years ago 5
I think it can be argued that the Mona Lisa is far more recognizable around the world than Christina. Besides, I find it difficult to understand the words even if the actions DO fit. That's what sub/supertitles are for.
qwe07 3 years ago
I was never into opera but appreciated it when I heard her perform in Hannibal movie. are opera sung in italian, spanish? or always foreign languages and if so why?
hobiehippo 4 years ago
There was a period when almost all opera were written in Italian. Several were written in German and French. In addition, some were written in many other languages. Many have been translated into English. Something gets lost in the translation. In Italian, one of the aria in La Boheme says "O beautiful days, little hands, smell of her hair. " The English translation is "Oh golden mem'ry, joys hared together! Glorious days departed." I prefer the Italian.
ralph058 4 years ago
thanks i am reading dantes inferno and la vita nouvea and it has latin and english and is pleseant to see both in same book
hobiehippo 4 years ago
Funny choreography at the end there. Its sort of taking the mickey out of the Britney Spears of today, I think. To me that sort of lifts the music out of its rather historically bound set of associations into the set of associations concerning popular culture. She becomes one of them (the Britney Spears), enabling comparison, but also, the conlusion is that she is definately not. Enough of my silly ideas concerning music. Great singing, and from what I've seen, a great production!
SinoSene 4 years ago
Danielle De Niese first audio cd will be released October 7th titled Handel - Arias
hobiehippo 4 years ago
What's up with this repeated reply? Are you her manager?
civileso 4 years ago
I replied to differnt posts I didnt know it was going to be listed in a repeat form
hobiehippo 4 years ago
:)) I see.. The way they did this message display drives me insane..
civileso 4 years ago
Cool...I am going to be ssing this exact production at Chicago's Lyric opera in November
hillevifan 4 years ago
hannibal opera
ariodante76 4 years ago
seen it 3 times, best opera i've watch ! pitty the whole of this isn't on, it lasts alot longer
jimjam109 4 years ago
She also sing in the movie 'Hannibal Lector' and is shortly in the screen, beuatiful girl amazing voice.
Search for Hannibal - The Opera
She is the girl i white dress
tommyfriis2007 4 years ago
serious insight? convincing? highly intelligent?
... they must have uploaded the wrong excerpt then. ugh.
erin129 4 years ago
:))I agree.. It looks ridiculous...
civileso 4 years ago
i think it looks delightful.
archer1949 4 years ago
I don't have a problem with it being delightful. But, It doesn't mean it has serious insight, it is convincing and highly intelligent.. I think what you said is irrelevant to my reply to erin129.
civileso 4 years ago
Choreography looks more like a school play to me.
civileso 4 years ago
I've read about this production. Each Aria is set to a different style of choreography, from Bollywood to a dance hall act. It sounds fun very fun to me.
The Baroque operas I have seen have never been heavy on dramatic insight. They were composed to show off verious singers to a bunch of bored aristocrats. They are practically Orotorio anyway. Just people standing there singing arias.
archer1949 4 years ago
This sucker is like four hours long. Why NOT have fun with it? What's wrong with plain old entertainment?
Besides, I would pay to see Danielle De Niese sing a phone book.
And I like the bit of choreography I saw there. But I must not be the exalted EXPERTO you seem to be.
archer1949 4 years ago
No "EXPERTO".. Just a person who likes music for what it is... I don;t need a good singer to convince me with anything but his/her beautiful rendition of a song, aria, heck.. even a lullaby..
civileso 4 years ago
But she IS a good singer!
archer1949 4 years ago
Yes she is.. She has a very strong voice despite the fact that they made her gallop like a race horse singing high tessitura:)) I think it would be much more delightful to hear her sing at ease.. Please don't think I am just talking to be against you. But really.. She is already doing a very hard task.. Why put more burden on her?
civileso 4 years ago
In addition to being a great singer, she's a beautiful woman. If you got it, flaunt it (within reason, of course). She doesn't seem to mind.
Actually, I think this direction is pretty restrained and tasteful (from the few clips I've seen). If you want to see this kind of go really, REALLY wrong, check out the clips of the Peter Sellars version floating around. Yeeeks!
archer1949 4 years ago
:)) I saw that too:))
civileso 4 years ago
Danielle De Niese first audio cd will be released October 7th titled Handel - Arias
hobiehippo 4 years ago
She has an absolute ball up there, though! I get what you're saying... but this show is five hours (who said four hours?!) long with intermission. The interpretation and direction was lively, fresh, and very exciting. She's just a wonder to watch-- very delightful. As well, when recording her CD, she loves to move her body - she's a very fluid, mobile vocalist. It's refreshing.
alemerent 4 years ago
Danielle De Niese first audio cd will be released October 7th titled Handel - Arias
hobiehippo 4 years ago
ok thank you very mutch i juste love her voice
soprano543 4 years ago
somebody know who is this singer
soprano543 4 years ago
She is an Australian-born American soprano called Danielle de Niese.
opusarte 4 years ago
thanks for adding this video iwas lucky to attend a performance and have to say it was the BEST
experiancemanuk 4 years ago