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Acis & Galatea [Blu-ray]

Danielle de Niese (Actor), Charles Workman (Actor), Wayne McGregor (Director), Rated:
NR
Format: Blu-ray
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 20 ratings
$31.48
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April 27, 2010 		—
1
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Genre Music Video & Concerts, Classical / Opera & Vocal
Format Blu-ray, Widescreen, Color, Multiple Formats, DTS Surround Sound
Contributor Matthew Rose, Royal Opera House, Melissa Hamilton, Paul Kay, Danielle de Niese, Paul Agnew, Wayne McGregor, Charles Workman, Lauren Cuthbertson, Ji-Min Park, Eric Underwood, George Frideric Handel, Steven McRae, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, The Royal Opera Extra Chorus, Jonathan Haswell, Edward Watson, Dancers of The Royal Ballet, Christopher Hogwood See more
Language English, English
Runtime 1 hour and 50 minutes
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Product Description

Product Description


Christopher Hogwood conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in Wayne McGregor's new production of Handel's opera. The cast includes Danielle de Niese and Charles Workman, and The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet appear in a rare and beautifully crafted collaboration. Filmed with High Definition cameras and recorded in true surround sound.

Press Reviews
"Vocally, the star of the show is Matthew Rose, whose pitch-perfect Polyphemus conveys the bruised vulnerability of the inarticulate and ugly...The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment play suavely, with exquisite work from the uncredited sopranino recorders. " (BBC Music Magazine)

"The most compelling moments...tend to be when the OAE, Christopher Hogwood, Handel and the singer are permitted to possess centre stage (both metaphorical and literal)...As usual, Danielle de Niese looks and glides around the stage like a million dollars. " (Gramophone)

Cast
Danielle de Niese; Lauren Cuthbertson (Galatea)
Charles Workman; Edward Watson (Acis)
Paul Agnew; Steven McRae; Melissa Hamilton (Damon)
Matthew Rose; Eric Underwood (Polyphemus)
Ji-Min Park; Paul Kay (Coridon)
Orchestra of the Age of Englightenment; Christopher Hogwood

Production
Company: The Royal Opera; The Royal Ballet
Choreographer: Wayne McGregor

Disc Information
Catalogue Number: OABD7056D
Date of Performance: 2009
Running Time: 110 minutes
Sound: 2.0 PCM & 5.0 DTS
Aspect Ratio: 1080i High Definition / 16:9
Subtitles: FR, DE, ES (extra features only)
Label: Opus Arte

Review

"Opus Arte continues its winning ways with Blu-ray opera (and ballet) releases with this practically perfect AVC encoded 1080i live recording offered in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The first act plays out largely in neutral tones like ecru and beige, with a hint of brown thrown in. That's alleviated somewhat by the beautifully painted backdrops, which glow in this Blu-ray presentation with a suitably rich and saturated palette of greens, reds, and purples. The second act gives way to a bluer color scheme, especially in the watery finale. Through it all we're given excellent fine detail and lifelike, if sometimes strangely lit, flesh tones. Contrast and black levels are both consistent and excellent. About the only issue keeping this from a full five stars is with Acis' green sweater, which in mid-range shots simply doesn't quite resolve properly, leading to just the hint of shimmer. In close-ups and even far shots, it's just fine, but the mid-range shots show this artifacting quite clearly. Other than that minor issue, this is a winning presentation with a top notch image quality." -Peter Oberth -- Shakefire.com: June 14, 2010 - http://www.shakefire.com/contests/movie/handel-acis-and-galatea-blu-ray

Product details

  • Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.78:1
  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 3.31 x 0.31 x 0.16 inches; 4.09 ounces
  • Item model number ‏ : ‎ WDL_OABD7056D
  • Director ‏ : ‎ Wayne McGregor, Jonathan Haswell
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ Blu-ray, Widescreen, Color, Multiple Formats, DTS Surround Sound
  • Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 50 minutes
  • Release date ‏ : ‎ April 27, 2010
  • Actors ‏ : ‎ Danielle de Niese, Charles Workman, Paul Agnew, Matthew Rose, Christopher Hogwood
  • Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ Spanish, French
  • Producers ‏ : ‎ Royal Opera House
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English (DTS 5.0), English (PCM2 .0)
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ Opus Arte
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B003757W10
  • Writers ‏ : ‎ George Frideric Handel
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 20 ratings

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
20 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

C in Simi
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and entertaining
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2021
Verified Purchase
A lot better than I was expecting. The idea works.
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Paul Van de Water
5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Enjoyable Evening's Entertainment
Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2010
Acis and Galatea recounts the myth of the doomed love between the shepherd Acis and the nymph Galatea, based on a story from Ovid's Metamorphoses. Although Handel did not conceive Acis and Galatea as a fully staged production with action, it takes well to the stage. In this respect, it joins other Handel works (such as Theodora, Hercules, and Semele) that have adapted well to a dramatic treatment.

Since the characters (with the exception of the giant Polyphemus) are nymphs and shepherds, a pastoral setting is to be expected. The costumes are slightly odd (Acis and Coridon wear ratty sweaters, for example, and Damon sports a fedora) but generally unobtrusive. The most distinctive feature of this production is that, in most sections, the singers are doubled by dancers from the Royal Ballet, who provide a visual commentary on the text. In the concluding section, Acis's double takes on the role of Acis himself, now transformed into a god.

Danielle De Niese (who was a knock-out as Cleopatra in the Glyndebourne Giulio Cesare) shines both musically and dramatically as Galatea. Charles Workman (whom I first encountered as Jupiter in the DVD of Semele) is equally convincing as Acis. (I'm especially fond of his "Love sounds the alarm.") The expert Handelian Christopher Hogwood conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and a fine choral ensemble.

As is often the case these days, you can find extensive excerpts from this DVD on YouTube. If you check them out, I think that you will come to agree with Handel's contemporaries, who made Acis and Galatea one of most performed of the composer's works during his lifetime. It contains some of Handel's finest music and provides a very enjoyable evening's entertainment.

(Note: The Blu-ray and DVD of Acis have been available since March 1 in the U.K., from which I purchased my copy.)
35 people found this helpful
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Mr. John A. Coulson
5.0 out of 5 stars A little gem
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2010
I have viewed this piece twice and was somewhat perplexed first time. I should have done some reading of the essay in the accompanying booklet first to understand better what was involved in this rather unique composition. It is unique in that it was not originally perceived as an opera and Handel left no staging instructions. So this has left the opportunity for imaginative interpretation, something of which the director and choreographer Wayne McGregor took full advantage. He interwove the singing and (minimal) acting with a variety of ballet sequences which might appear odd at first viewing. He explains his philosophy in a very interesting 9 minute extra and this should be viewed first to get full appreciation of the production.

There is a brief illustrated synopsis on the disc but, to me, it does not help very much and a small paragraph in the booklet would have been much better to explain the very simple story of a couple of lovers Acis and Galate and shadowed by a jealous Polphemus who finally kills Acis.

The music is vintage, appealing, Handel extremely well played by Hogwood and his orchestra and beautifully sung by a cast of 50 led by the lovely Danielle de Nice and Charles Workman. I remain puzzled as to why Galatea had to have a rope like blonde wig over her lovely auburn hair but that distraction was soon overlooked as the music wove its magic. Initially the ballet dancing made little sense but after viewing the work a second time and hearing from McGregor his philosophy behind the choreography, it became more evident how much it was an important part of the production, adding significantly to viewing of the work compared to merely listening to the audio. The dancing was sensuous and excellent.

So, this production is a little gem. If you like Handel's music and are prepared to see something quite different, then you should enjoy this disc as much as I did.

John
30 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Lev Migachoff
3.0 out of 5 stars Es versión BALLET-ÓPERA
Reviewed in Mexico on August 5, 2019
Verified Purchase
No ase nada creativo combinación de los cantantes con ballet (mucho movimiento con sus brazos, a mi desconcentro), y yo entiendo que este tipo de coreografía es de moda, me parece no sirve nada. A mi calle bien presencia de soprano Danielle de Niese y barítono (no recuerdo su nombre) En la portada se a noto “The Royal Ópera. The Royal Ballet” y no escrito que Acis and Galatea (ópera-ballet), me parece es trampa de producción. Me gusto logros de director musical Christofer Hogwood
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ENRIQUE
5.0 out of 5 stars BUEN ESPECTACULO VOCAL Y VISUAL
Reviewed in Spain on January 4, 2020
Verified Purchase
En esta representación de la Royal Opera House se complementa muy bien la parte vocal, con un ballet que mejora mucho el aspecto visual ya que la opera en si, aunque preciosa, tiene muy pocos personajes. Todos, cantantes y bailarines, brillan a muy buena altura.
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Mr. John A. Coulson
5.0 out of 5 stars A little gem
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 26, 2010
Verified Purchase
I have viewed this piece twice and was somewhat perplexed first time. I should have done some reading of the essay in the accompanying booklet first to understand better what was involved in this rather unique composition. It is unique in that it was not originally perceived as an opera and Handel left no staging instructions. So this has left the opportunity for imaginative interpretation, something of which the director and choreographer Wayne McGregor took full advantage. He interwove the singing and (minimal) acting with a variety of ballet sequences which might appear odd at first viewing. He explains his philosophy in a very interesting 9 minute extra and this should be viewed first to get full appreciation of the production.

There is a brief illustrated synopsis on the disc but, to me, it does not help very much and a small paragraph in the booklet would have been much better to explain the very simple story of a couple of lovers Acis and Galate and shadowed by a jealous Polphemus who finally kills Acis.

The music is vintage, appealing, Handel extremely well played by Hogwood and his orchestra and beautifully sung by a cast of 50 led by the lovely Danielle de Nice and Charles Workman. I remain puzzled as to why Galatea had to have a rope like blonde wig over her lovely auburn hair but that distraction was soon overlooked as the music wove its magic. Initially the ballet dancing made little sense but after viewing the work a second time and hearing from McGregor his philosophy behind the choreography, it became more evident how much it was an important part of the production, adding significantly to viewing of the work compared to merely listening to the audio. The dancing was sensuous and excellent.

So, this production is a little gem. If you like Handel's music and are prepared to see something quite different, then you should enjoy this disc as much as I did.

John
35 people found this helpful
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babaluma
5.0 out of 5 stars A stunning surprise
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 20, 2013
Verified Purchase
I watched this on TV today here in Australia and got drawn in big time, the longer the more. The music is simply heavenly beautiful, the story line is so archetypal and the dancing really enhances the emotion. I ordered the disc straight away and got a feeling I will watch this a lot. For me, the impact and greatness of this work is on a par with Mozart's Magical Flute.
4 people found this helpful
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ぽぽき
4.0 out of 5 stars バレエも踊るソプラノ歌手
Reviewed in Japan on January 9, 2014
Verified Purchase
ガラテア
　歌手：ダニエル・ドゥ・ニース（ソプラノ）
　ダンサー：ローレン・カスバートソン
エイシス
　歌手：チャールズ・ワークマン（テノール）
　ダンサー：エドワード・ワトソン
デーモン
　歌手：ポール・アグニュー（テノール）
　ダンサー：スティーヴン・マックレイ、メリッサ・ハミルトン
ポリフィーマス
　歌手：マシュー・ローズ（バス）
　ダンサー：エリック・アンダーウッド

ヘンデルの傑作にマクレガー振付のバレエを添えた作品です。愛し合う二人と横恋慕する怪物というわかりやすいメルヘンな音楽劇で、ヘンデルの魅力が詰まっていて可憐なアリアも多く、私は好きです。日本語字幕はありませんが、あらすじを知っていれば英語字幕で充分楽しめます。演奏も歌も良い出来でダンサーもすばらしいです。ただバレエのためのリフレインは音楽的に少し冗長ですし、バロック音楽と振付の調和という点でも好みが分かれるかもしれません。

歌手の主役は期待のソプラノ歌手ダニエル・ドゥ・ニースとチャールズ・ワークマンです。ニースの声はやや太いですがメリスマ歌唱も冴えてヘンデルの美しいアリアを歌い上げています。アグニューはバロックを得意としているだけあってうまいです。　ダンサーたちは体のラインがくっきりの薄くてタイトなベージュのユニタード。ワトソンは羊飼いにしては雰囲気が高貴ですが踊りは上手。カスバートソンは女性的で上品に妖精を演じていてかわいらしい。２０才のメリッサ・ハミルトンは、適度に引きしまったボーイッシュな肢体とクールな表情が魅力的です。

冒頭の大勢で踊るユニゾンは揃っていません。フーガにあわせてずらす振付なのか・・・ロイヤルのことだからほんとうにバラバラなのかもしれません。　主役のアリアで踊るワトソンとカスバートソンのパ・ド・ドゥがほほえましいです。オペラでは歌で表現される愛の形をダンサーが体で具現化するのは新鮮です。　ポリフェーマスは歌手のローズが大きな腹を利用して邪悪さを見事に表現。　バレエで最高だったのはマックレイとハミルトンのペアです。弦と木管とオブリガート・チェンバロをバックにアグニューが歌うアリアやエイシスの死を悼む合唱にあわせたパ・ド・ドゥには見入ってしまいました。

最後に、ガラテアによって永遠の泉にされたエイシス役のワトソンとニースの愛のパ･ド･ドゥがあります。ジャケットにも載っていますが、本職の歌を終えたニースは楽しそうです。振付が急にクラシカルな基本ポジションになるのはご愛敬ですが、ヘンデルの音楽には意外にこれが合っています。ただオペラ歌手としてはスマートなニースでも太ももがバレエダンサーの倍はあるし、支えるワトソンは大変だったでしょう。踊り終えたときの彼の荒い息とほっとしたような笑顔が印象的でした。
　　
3 people found this helpful
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