Alfredo Casella – La Donna Serpente (DVD)

Product Information

• Title: La Donna Serpente ("The Snake Woman")
• Composer: Alfredo Casella (1883–1947)
• Format: DVD
• Total Running Time: 143 minutes
• Video: NTSC 16:9
• Audio: PCM Stereo and DTS 5.1
• Region: 0 (worldwide)
• Language: Italian
• Subtitles: Italian, English, German, Japanese, Korean
• UPC: 747313563159
• Production Year: Filmed on 12 and 14 April 2016
• Recording Venue: Teatro Reale Torino, Italy (new staging by Teatro Regio Torino in co-production with the Festival della Valle d'Itria)
• Distributor: RAI Com; 2019 Naxos Rights (Europe) Ltd – Made in Austria

Overview

English Overview

Alfredo Casella, one of the notable "Generation of the Eighties," challenged the longstanding Italian operatic tradition and the dominance of Puccini with his singular full-scale opera, La Donna Serpente. Based on Carlo Gozzi’s renowned fairy tale, this imaginative work oscillates effortlessly between tragedy and comedy, infusing neo-Classical musical language with evocative portrayals of the eerie, seductive realm of fairies and the passionate, turbulent emotions of humankind.

This DVD captures a highly acclaimed production distinguished by Arturo Cirillo’s dreamlike staging and Gianandrea Noseda’s precise, energetic conducting. Critics have praised the performance for its vibrant energy, inventive visual design, and the remarkable vocal power displayed by the large cast—most notably by Carmela Remigio, whose strong soprano shines in the role of the fairy Miranda. La Donna Serpente is celebrated as both a joyful and refreshing theatrical fairy tale and an audibly compelling piece that continues to enchant audiences.

Hungarian Overview (Áttekintés)

Alfredo Casella, az „nyolcazdasok” jelentős képviselője, aki megkísérelte megingatni az olasz operai hagyományokat és a Puccini dominanciáját, egyetlen teljes léptékű operájában, a La Donna Serpente című művében váltotta ki a figyelmet. Carlo Gozzi világhírű mese alapján készült darab fantasztikus cselekményében a tragédia és a komédia folyamatosan váltakoznak, miközben a neoklasszicista zenei nyelv kibontakoztatja a tündérek kísérteties, szinte sejtelmes világát, valamint az emberi érzelmek intenzitását.

Ez a DVD egy dicsért produkciót örökít meg, amely Arturo Cirillo álomszerű díszletvilágával és Gianandrea Noseda precíz, energikus karmesteri munkájával tűnik ki. A kritikusok elismerik az előadás élénk energiáját, az ötletes vizuális megoldásokat és a nagyszabású szereplőgárda kivételes vokális erejét – különösen Carmela Remigio erőteljes szopránja ragyog Miranda tündér szerepében. A La Donna Serpente egyszerre nyújt szórakoztató és frissítő előadást, valamint egy zeneileg lebilincselő művet, amely továbbra is elvarázsolja a közönséget.

Product Features

Musical and Dramatic Highlights

• Unique Operatic Vision:
  • La Donna Serpente is Casella’s only full-scale opera, a work that boldly blends fantastical elements, tragedy, and comedy in a neo-Classical idiom.
• Stunning Production:
  • Stage Direction: Arturo Cirillo creates a dreamlike, visually arresting setting that perfectly complements the fairy-tale narrative.
  • Conducting: Gianandrea Noseda delivers a performance of remarkable precision and energy, unraveling the complex musical layers with ease.
• Stellar Cast & Performances:
  • The production boasts an extensive ensemble from Teatro Regio Torino, with standout performances by Piero Pretti, Carmela Remigio, Erika Grimaldi, Francesca Sassu, Anna Maria Chiuri, Francesco Marsiglia, Marco Filippo Romano, and Roberto de Candia.
  • The Orchestra and Chorus of Teatro Regio Torino, under the guidance of Chorus Master Claudio Fenoglio, provide an impressive musical foundation.
• Visual and Technical Excellence:
  • Filmed in NTSC 16:9 format with high-quality PCM stereo and DTS 5.1 sound, ensuring a truly immersive audiovisual experience.
  • Accompanied by creative elements such as detailed set design by Dario Gessati, costume design by Gianluca Falaschi, and refined lighting by Giuseppe Calabro.
• Supporting Extras:
  • The DVD includes additional materials such as photos (by Ramella & Giannese, Edoardo Piva) and insights into the production, all designed to enhance the viewer's experience.

Critical Reception

• Gramophone Magazine (Awards Issue, 2019):
  • Hailed as “a great and relatively unsophisticated joy to watch and listen to,” likened to a “commedia dell’arte pop music” feast in sound and vision.
• Opera Magazine (November 2019):
  • Praised Casella’s aptitude for the genre, Arturo Cirillo’s artful staging, and the production’s overall efficiency despite minor critiques regarding lighting subtleties.

Publishers & Rights

This DVD is presented by Teatro Regio Torino and Rai Com in collaboration with Naxos. All rights are reserved. The contents of this disc are licensed for non-commercial private use only. Any public performance, broadcast, or reproduction is strictly prohibited.

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Hashtags

English:

#AlfredoCasella #LaDonnaSerpente #OperaticFairytale #TheaterRegioTorino #NaxosDVD #GianandreaNoseda #ArturoCirillo #ItalianOpera #NeoClassicalOpera #OperaDVD

Hungarian (Címkék):

#AlfredoCasella #LaDonnaSerpente #OperaiMesekönyv #TeatroRegioTorino #NaxosDVD #GianandreaNoseda #ArturoCirillo #OlaszOpera #NeoklasszicistaOpera #OperaDVD