Monteverdi: Monteverdi Cycle (De Nederlandse Opera)

Cynthia Haymon (Poppea); Anthony Rolfe Johnson (Ulisse); John Mark Ainsley (Orfeo);

Opus Arte is proud to present Pierre Audis profound andrefined productions of Monteverdis opera masterpieces from the Amsterdam Muziektheater as a complete 9.5 hour box set, which explores the depths of human emotions in compelling music drama.The brilliant cast of the beautifully styled, evocative LOrfeo, under the sophisticated musical direction of Stephen Stubbs, includes John Mark Ainsley, Michael Chance and David Cordier. Il ritorno dUlisse in patria features Anthony Rolfe Johnson and Graciela Araya, both commanding and very moving under Glen Wilsons transparent and inspired musical direction. In Lincoronazione di Poppea Christophe Rousset and the musicians of his Les TalensLyriques lead an all-star cast, including Brigitte Balleys, Cynthia Haymon, Claron McFadden and Dominique Visse, together reaching great heights in a highly evocative production. As a bonus disc, this box set includes the previously unreleased Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda, starring Lorna Anderson and Maarten Koningberger, with the ASKO Ensemble led boldly by David Porcelijn.

Reviews

"With his new production for Netherlands Opera of Orfeo, Pierre Audi has completed a well-received cycle of Monteverdis major stage works. On stage we saw the usual Audi juxtaposition of elements: some vast tree trunks, a stone wall, an immense round pond, and later, fire. The prologue was magnificently sung by the counter-tenor David Cordier as La Musica...The chorus sang with such spirit and refinement that one regretted that they did not have more to do...Stephen Stubbs, seconded by Emmanuelle Haïm playing various keyboard instruments, led his ensemble Tragicomedia with obvious affection and understanding. All the instrumentalists played with fluent ease, a long way from the scratchy authentic bands of 20 years ago!" (Opera)

"A strikingly staged, beautifully sung production." (The New York Times - Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria)

"Dutch treat - Amsterdam has a model opera company: fresh, controversial and accessible...this Poppea is a quality product of self-evidently world class distinction." (The Sunday Times)

"This latest version is virtually complete and, in musical terms, it has the most consistent cast yet - mezzo-soprano Brigitte Balleys as Nero is credibly masculine...Ning Liang is darkly dignified as Ottavia, countertenor Michael Chance (Ottone) and bass Harry van der Kamp (Seneca) are rock steady in their roles." (BBC Music Magazine - L'incoronazione di Poppea)

"Frankly, if you want a DVD of Orfeo, this should be your first option." (Musicweb International)

Extra features

Each opera has an insightful introduction, directed by Roeland Hazendonk, featuring interviews with Pierre Audi, the musical director and members of the cast.