The staging with a circular around the orchestra strongly reminds me of Pierre Audi's Wagner Ring in Amsterdam. The use of English in the sung parts but German in the spoken parts is weird to see for a specialist in Baroque music like Harnoncourt. I did not expect that.
I have to agree with @UnaDormienda - I like new ideas thrown into baroque operas, but there is a balance and this production isn't working for me. I should watch the rest of this production but my first reaction was ' Oh No'....
Guys, this is in fact my favourite production. But I had the privilege of experiencing it in real. I admit it is extremely complex and best to be viewed like a dozen times...
I agree with neil5568. This staging is kitsch and fanciful. The lightning and colors are so exaggerated and match with nothing. A Purcell piece deserved better treat.
geez..... strange scene indeed, but strange tempo as well..... afaik John Eliot Gardiner is known to be a fast handed conductor but this one is at least 50% faster than his.
I have this entire DVD. I have forced myself to watch the entire thing. It is unbeleiveably bad, complete garbage. Someone saw references in the libretto to Wodin, and other Germanic Gods and thought Wagner wrote this. The producers should keep working on Kraftwerk videos.
This show at Salzburg Festival 2004 is really one of the Eurotrash offerings there that really rubs me the wrong way! And I love Michael Schade and Nikolaus Harnoncourt! :o( Thanks for posting, though, Kryltoppa. :o)
Yes, it is a strange show. I had trouble switching between the sung English and the spoken German myself. Harnoncourt is cooler than I thought of him!
The orchestra sounds fantastisch!
squidditi 1 year ago
The staging with a circular around the orchestra strongly reminds me of Pierre Audi's Wagner Ring in Amsterdam. The use of English in the sung parts but German in the spoken parts is weird to see for a specialist in Baroque music like Harnoncourt. I did not expect that.
HendrikRood 1 year ago
wer von King Arthur´s Purcell nicht genug bekommt, die Aufführung wird am 14.06., 15.06., 16.06.2010 in Brühl gespielt. Adresse: Rodderweg 66, Brühl
Kiwibanana93 1 year ago
musica superba! .. il resto non merita commenti !
deciomure45 1 year ago
I'd be happy to work my mind round the staging but not the performance, dramatic or musical. It just seems heavy-handed.
UnaDormienda 1 year ago
I have to agree with @UnaDormienda - I like new ideas thrown into baroque operas, but there is a balance and this production isn't working for me. I should watch the rest of this production but my first reaction was ' Oh No'....
TheFireHorseUK 1 year ago
@jokembach
don't be so stupid
deadcalledpark 2 years ago
Guys, this is in fact my favourite production. But I had the privilege of experiencing it in real. I admit it is extremely complex and best to be viewed like a dozen times...
areion 2 years ago
I agree with neil5568. This staging is kitsch and fanciful. The lightning and colors are so exaggerated and match with nothing. A Purcell piece deserved better treat.
brecherett 2 years ago
What time period is this supposed to be? I'm confused? Why are there peiople wearing modren suits in Arthurian Britian?
Camalot777 2 years ago
Comment removed
brecherett 2 years ago
Youre confused and so is this director.
brecherett 2 years ago
Comment removed
gerhardparr 2 years ago
Wow. Some staging, indeed.
Now, are they singing in German or unrecognizably accented English?
erucolindo87 2 years ago
They have to sing in English because it wouldn't sound right in German. Although, the tenor is Canadian, and not German.
hazo28 2 years ago
They are singing perfect 17th century-English.
JazzyChris212 2 years ago
DIdn't know Purcell wrote in German!
This tenor has a voice whick may well have shocked our old Henry P.
1401JSC 2 years ago
The music is superb.
hazo28 2 years ago
geez..... strange scene indeed, but strange tempo as well..... afaik John Eliot Gardiner is known to be a fast handed conductor but this one is at least 50% faster than his.
watcher613 2 years ago
I have this entire DVD. I have forced myself to watch the entire thing. It is unbeleiveably bad, complete garbage. Someone saw references in the libretto to Wodin, and other Germanic Gods and thought Wagner wrote this. The producers should keep working on Kraftwerk videos.
neil5568 3 years ago
What time period is this supposed to be? What is with the costumes? Is merlin in it?
Camalot777 2 years ago
Oh dear...
Svatopluk 3 years ago
This show at Salzburg Festival 2004 is really one of the Eurotrash offerings there that really rubs me the wrong way! And I love Michael Schade and Nikolaus Harnoncourt! :o( Thanks for posting, though, Kryltoppa. :o)
SDCmorg 3 years ago
Yes, it is a strange show. I had trouble switching between the sung English and the spoken German myself. Harnoncourt is cooler than I thought of him!
Kryltoppa 3 years ago