Description

Harrison Birtwistle: The Minotaur - Royal Opera House (2-DVD Set)

UPC: 809478010005

Product Features

Composer: Harrison Birtwistle (1934-)
Libretto: David Harsent
Conductor: Antonio Pappano
Cast:Orchestra: The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- The Minotaur: John Tomlinson
- Theseus: Johan Reuter
- Ariadne: Christine Rice
- Snake Priestess: Andrew Watts
- Hiereus: Philip Langridge
Chorus: The Royal Opera Chorus
Stage Director: Stephen Langridge
Set & Costume Design: Alison Chitty
Lighting Design: Paul Pyant
Choreographer: Philippe Giraudeau
Video Designers: Leo Warner and Mark Grimmer (Fifty Nine Productions)
Picture Format: NTSC
Audio Formats: LPCM Stereo, DTS Surround Sound
Subtitles: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian
Running Time: Approx. 170 minutes
Region Code: All Regions

Overview

This world premiere of Harrison Birtwistle’s The Minotaur, brought to life by The Royal Opera House in collaboration with Opus Arte, is a monumental exploration of Greek mythology and the human condition. The opera, with a libretto by David Harsent, delves into the life of the half-man, half-beast Minotaur, who is imprisoned in a labyrinth and longs to understand his true nature. His encounter with Theseus, sent as part of a human sacrifice, forms the crux of the story, while Ariadne, keeper of the Minotaur, plays a pivotal role in Theseus's success.

Directed by Stephen Langridge and conducted by Antonio Pappano, the production offers an intense and visually arresting portrayal of mythological themes. The performance features a powerful cast, led by John Tomlinson as the Minotaur and Christine Rice as Ariadne, and is captured in stunning high-definition video and surround sound.

Interesting Facts

This opera was commissioned by the Royal Opera and premiered in 2008, with John Tomlinson's performance as the Minotaur receiving widespread acclaim for its emotional depth.
The set design, by Alison Chitty, evokes the stark, imposing nature of the labyrinth, heightening the sense of entrapment and existential struggle.
Birtwistle's music, known for its modernist, sometimes dissonant textures, adds to the intensity and psychological complexity of the opera.
The production was noted for its use of innovative video design by Fifty Nine Productions, which helped to visually enhance the mythological narrative.