Rating: 
Summary: Come away! Drive these bad actors away!
Review: That have been Purcell's reaction if he saw this performance. The scenery was just lousy. Unorganized props and and bad acting make this one of the poorest performances of an opera ever. The acting and the dancing was a bit awkward. I liked the singers though. They made the show worthwile. But having the drunken poet stumple across the front seats and through the orchestra pit; what's that about? Richard van Allen could have played a more worthy Hymen and Theseus. I was taken back that there was a gay couple in the end. For an English Opera performance, this is a poor example of its high quality standards.
Rating: 
Summary: A nightmare at the opera
Review: This is a nightmarish production that bears little resemblance to Purcell's story and is not remotely connected to his stunningly beautiful music. There are drag queens, gay couples, a "drunk" singer, bad taste throughout - you name it. It is not uplifting and inspiring, but depressing and degrading. It is so bad and absurd that I was surprised Peter Sellar's name is not in the credits. Avoid like the plague. Get a CD instead, close your eyes and enjoy Purcell's extraordinarily inspired music. You've been warned.
Rating:
Summary: A nightmare at the opera
Review: This is a nightmarish production that bears little resemblance to Purcell's story and is not remotely connected to his stunningly beautiful music. There are drag queens, gay couples, a "drunk" singer, bad taste throughout - you name it. It is not uplifting and inspiring, but depressing and degrading. It is so bad and absurd that I was surprised Peter Sellar's name is not in the credits. Avoid like the plague. Get a CD instead, close your eyes and enjoy Purcell's extraordinarily inspired music. You've been warned.
Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding
Review: This production is brilliant and imaginative from every point of view. Playing and singing are a delight from beginning to end. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: NOT one of Purcell's bests
Review: When I bought this film I hoped thet it would be a tipical Purcell's film. To my dissapointment it wasn't. For worst its quite bad. But at least it has some very nice scenes, where you can admire all the glory of such a wonderful country.
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