Description

Tan Dun - Marco Polo | Opus Arte 2 DVD Set

UPC: 809478010104

Product Features

Composer and Musical Director: Tan Dun (b. 1957)
Stage Director: Pierre Audi
Featuring:Orchestra and Chorus: Netherlands Chamber Orchestra and Cappella Amsterdam
- Marco Polo: Charles Workman
- Marco: Sarah Castle
- Kublai Khan: Stephen Richardson
- Water: Nancy Allen Lundy
- Shadow 1/Rustichello/Li Po: Zhang Jun
- Shadow 2/Sheherazada/Mahler/Queen: Tania Kross
- Shadow 3/Dante/Shakespeare: Stephen Bryant
Running Time: Approx. 155 minutes
Audio Format: Stereo
Picture Format: 16:9 Anamorphic, NTSC
Subtitles: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch
Region Code: 0 (All Regions)
Label: Opus Arte

Overview

Tan Dun's Marco Polo is a groundbreaking opera that merges Eastern and Western traditions, creating a fusion of cultures and avant-garde expression. The opera explores the Venetian explorer's journey to the Far East, not only as a geographical expedition but also as a voyage of spiritual and philosophical discovery. Pierre Audi’s mythical staging and Jean Kalman’s evocative set design transport audiences to a world where time, space, and cultures intertwine.

With a libretto by Paul Griffiths, this work is a blend of Western avant-garde and Eastern musical traditions, directed by Tan Dun himself. The stunning performances by Charles Workman as Polo, Sarah Castle as Marco, and Stephen Richardson as Kublai Khan are enhanced by the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra and Cappella Amsterdam, creating an opera that is a unique cross-cultural masterpiece.

Interesting Facts

Marco Polo is referred to as an "opera within an opera," as it depicts both Marco Polo's literal travels and his inner spiritual journey, combining multiple artistic traditions.
Tan Dun, an Academy Award-winning composer, is renowned for blending traditional Chinese elements with Western classical music, making Marco Polo a key example of his fusion of styles.
This production was a co-production between De Nederlandse Opera and NPS (Dutch Public Broadcasting), and was recorded live in 2008.
Pierre Audi, the acclaimed director, brings his signature style to the opera, creating a world of mythical and symbolic resonance that enhances the musical narrative.

Track Listing

Disc 1:

Act I – The Journey Begins: Marco Polo’s Encounters
Act I – Inner and Outer Journeys

Disc 2:

Act II – The Challenges of Exploration
Act II – The Encounter with Kublai Khan

Extra Features

Illustrated Synopsis: A detailed visual guide to the opera’s plot and themes.
Cast Gallery: Photos and profiles of the principal performers.
The Music of Tomorrow: A documentary by Reiner E. Moritz featuring interviews with the creative team, including Tan Dun, Pierre Audi, and the cast, offering insights into the creation of this innovative opera.