Handel: Giulio Cesare (3-DVD) – Sarah Connolly, Danielle De Niese

Composer: George Frideric Handel
Artists: Sarah Connolly, Angelika Kirchschlager, Danielle De Niese, Christophe Dumaux, Patricia Bardon, Christopher Maltman, Rachid Ben Abdeslam, Alexander Ashworth, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Glyndebourne Chorus
Conductor: William Christie
Directors: David McVicar
Format: NTSC
Language: Italian
Subtitles: English, Spanish, German, French, Italian
Region: All Regions
Number of Discs: 3
Studio: Opus Arte
DVD Release Date: May 16, 2006
Run Time: 233 minutes; plus 72 minutes bonus material

David McVicar’s production of Giulio Cesare manages to combine serious insight with entertainment, bringing Handel’s masterpiece to life in a powerful, convincing and highly intelligent way. In every line of the complex narrative, the subtle nuances are apparent, reflecting perfectly the transparent and exquisite nature of Handel’s musical expression. The outstanding singing of the all-star cast, led by a superb Sarah Connolly, and the vivid playing of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under the energizing baton of William Christie reveal the color and dramatic character of Handel’s music in a most delightful manner.

“...a lively and imaginative production, directed by the ever resourceful David McVicar, enchanted and amused..there was so much good acting, often whilst singing difficult and controlled coloratura.” (Musical Opinion)

“Christie conducts Handel beguilingly – in fact, I’d go so far as to suggest that nobody does Handel better. Christie drew brisk playing from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, crisp and punchy, yet he also carried the slow tempos with magical stillness. But the performance was about much more than sound alone: underneath the OAE’s sheen there was an internalized musical depth to each of the numbers.” (Opera)

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