Rating: 
Summary: Is this a good release?
Review: Potential buyers reading the reviews below may feel understandably confused - after all, how good is this release?The problem may be at least partially addressed by carefully reading the reviews below, all of which contain some element of truth. Reviewers such as the one from Switzerland seem to have concentrated on the opera itself as well as the singing. And they were correct in their ratings: the singing is generally good and the opera ranks high among other Baroque operas. In fact I think Handel was a very gifted opera composer and his operas are far superior to any operas of later composers, except Mozart, of course, who stands head and shoulders above everybody else. The reviewer from California, on the other hand, seems to have paid more attention to the production and in that respect he is right on target! This is indeed a terrible production which in many ways reminds me of another dreadful post-modern ENO production: Henry Purcell's 'The Fairy Queen', also recently released on DVD. The problem is a complex one: England (and to a large extent Western culture in general) has been thoroughly penetrated by liberal-socialist values and world-view and the ENO is no exception. Producers are often more interested in pushing their agenda, which often includes the promotion of feminism, homosexuality, free sex and the like, therefore eroding traditional values than in producing something beautiful, inspiring and faithful to the spirit of the piece. This production of Ariodante is often ridiculous and generally unpleasant to watch . There is also a brief scene of nudity, which is something parents should be aware of. These are sad times indeed when even operas of Handel have to be X-rated. If you want to understand what lies behind productions such as these, read Marxist guru Antonio Gramsci and understand his concept of 'hegemony'. Sadly, Gramsci's ideas came true beyond his wildest expectations.
Rating: 
Summary: Fine singing, horrible direction
Review: The opera video club I run was really looking forward to this DVD, especially as many of us are Handel fans. Unfortunately, we only made it about 40 minutes in before we had to turn it off! The singing is not the problem, it's the rolling on the floor that drove us crazy. Maybe it seemed like a fresh idea in 1996, but it doesn't now! Don't be fooled by the glorious colors and the intriguing postmodern-retro-baroque production. The end result is that each of the characters ends up an unappealing caricature, someone you really don't care about. This one rolls on the floor all the time, that one tongues his walking stick in a lewd manner all the time... Enough said. Now you have various opinions, and you'll have to make up your own mind... We did enjoy the ENO's production of Xerxes, though, in case you're looking for an alternative.
Rating:
Summary: Turn off the television set and enjoy
Review: This film features marvelous music and gorgeous voices. Everything else about it is awful. The costumes, representing all sorts of periods, are a joke. The lighting is dark and terrible. The staging is designed to make you forget the music and the voices and wonder only if Leslie Garrett will have a climax and if she will avoid Christopher Robson's eager tongue and anxious hands. The dancing, if that's what you want to call it, is simply pointless and pretentious. So, to enjoy this opera, simply listen to it. Turn off the television. By the way, Ann Murray alone is worth the price. What a glory.
Rating:
Summary: Turn off the television set and enjoy
Review: This film features marvelous music and gorgeous voices. Everything else about it is awful. The costumes, representing all sorts of periods, are a joke. The lighting is dark and terrible. The staging is designed to make you forget the music and the voices and wonder only if Leslie Garrett will have a climax and if she will avoid Christopher Robson's eager tongue and anxious hands. The dancing, if that's what you want to call it, is simply pointless and pretentious. So, to enjoy this opera, simply listen to it. Turn off the television. By the way, Ann Murray alone is worth the price. What a glory.
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