Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria by Claudio Monteverdi – Opus Arte 2-DVD Set

UPC: 809478009269

Product Features:

• Title: Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria
• Composer: Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643)
• Format: 2-DVD Set
• Cast: Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Graciela Araya, Toby Spence, Jaco Huijpen, Brian Asawa, Monica Bacelli
• Orchestra: Baroque ensemble
• Conductor: Glen Wilson
• Stage Director: Pierre Audi
• Language: Italian (with subtitles in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Dutch)
• Region: All Regions (PAL)
• Audio: LPCM Stereo
• Video: Anamorphic 16:9
• Running Time: 176 minutes
• Release Year: 2005

Overview

Claudio Monteverdi’s Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria (The Return of Ulysses to His Homeland) is a baroque masterpiece that delves into the human emotions of love, loyalty, and fate, adapted from Homer's Odyssey. This highly stylized and timeless production, directed by Pierre Audi, was recorded live at Het Muziektheater Amsterdam in 1998. The opera intertwines gods and humans, blending humor with deep seriousness, and is brought to life through Monteverdi’s expressive music and intricate character portrayals. The standout performance by Anthony Rolfe Johnson as Ulisse, alongside Graciela Araya as Penelope, is complemented by the refined interpretation of the Baroque ensemble under the direction of Glen Wilson.

Interesting Facts

• Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria is considered one of the earliest operas and was first performed in Venice around 1640.
• The production is praised for its integration of human emotion with divine intervention, showcasing Monteverdi's talent for illustrating both the comic and tragic aspects of life.
• Pierre Audi, a highly respected opera director, is known for his minimalistic and symbolic approach, which is evident in this production.
• Anthony Rolfe Johnson was renowned for his interpretations of baroque and early classical music, and his portrayal of Ulisse is widely regarded as one of his finest performances.
• The inclusion of baroque instruments by the ensemble, under Glen Wilson's musical direction, adds authenticity to the period performance.

Cast:

• Anthony Rolfe Johnson – Ulisse
• Graciela Araya – Penelope
• Toby Spence – Telemaco
• Jaco Huijpen – Antinoo
• Christopher Gillett – Pisandro
• Brian Asawa – Anfinomo
• Monica Bacelli – Melanto
• Adrian Thompson – Eumete
• Diana Montague – Minerva

Publishers

• Opus Arte
• In collaboration with: NPS Television, De Nederlandse Opera, and supported by the Dutch Cultural Broadcasting Promotion Fund

Hashtags

#Monteverdi #IlRitornoDUlisse #BaroqueOpera #OpusArte #AnthonyRolfeJohnson #ClaudioMonteverdi #PierreAudi #BaroqueMusic #HetMuziektheaterAmsterdam #ClassicalMusicDVD #OperaDVD