Gluck - Alceste / Robert Wilson · John Eliot Gardiner · Anne Sofie von Otter · English Baroque Soloists · Théâtre du Chatelet

Rating:
Summary: ALCESTE!
Review: CHRISTOPH WILLIBALD GLUCK's sublime work is presented in a most interesting way by stage director Robert Wilson! On the one hand, "Alceste" is performed by a period instrument ensemble, the ENGLISH BAROQUE SOLOISTS, joined by the singers and dancers of the MONTVERDI CHOIR, directed by Sir John Elliot Gardiner. On the other hand, Wilson uses striking theatrical symbolism with decidedly modern overtones! Certainly worth checking out, as the singing alone is great!

Rating:
Summary: ALCESTE!
Review: CHRISTOPH WILLIBALD GLUCK's sublime work is presented in a most interesting way by stage director Robert Wilson! On the one hand, "Alceste" is performed by a period instrument ensemble, the ENGLISH BAROQUE SOLOISTS, joined by the singers and dancers of the MONTVERDI CHOIR, directed by Sir John Elliot Gardiner. On the other hand, Wilson uses striking theatrical symbolism with decidedly modern overtones! Certainly worth checking out, as the singing alone is great!

Rating:
Summary: ALCESTE!
Review: CHRISTOPH WILLIBALD GLUCK's sublime work is presented in a most interesting way by stage director Robert Wilson! On the one hand, "Alceste" is performed by a period instrument ensemble, the ENGLISH BAROQUE SOLOISTS, joined by the singers and dancers of the MONTVERDI CHOIR, directed by Sir John Elliot Gardiner. On the other hand, Wilson uses striking theatrical symbolism with decidedly modern overtones! Certainly worth checking out, as the singing alone is great!

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully performed reform opera
Review: Gluck's Alceste was given a wonderful and moving performance by Gardner and company on this new DVD! The music is beautifully expressive, the singing by all the cast was suberb, esp. Annie Sofie Von Otter in the title role. the English Baroque period ensemble under J.E. Gardner was fabulous, as usual. The sets are quite beautiful and very well designed...but there isn't a lot of physical action, which could be troubling to modern audiences used constant action in movies, etc. I was impressed by the choreographers effective use of Kabuki (traditional Japanese opera)for the inspiration behind the stylized hand gestures. I am an 18th century opera fanatic and would like to see more staged productions of composers operatic works such as Gluck, Jomelli, Sacchini,Rameau and other composers that have unjustly slipped between the cracks of music history. From a technical perspective,both the audio and video quality are excellent. Bravo to everyone involved in the performance and production!

Rating:
Summary: Thank goodness I didn't buy it
Review: I rented this dvd which has beautiful music and singing and pleasant enough sets and costumes, and this accounts for the 3 stars I gave it, but the stylized movements of the singers are so awkward and boring, I did not finish watching it. I did listen to it and I have a sound recording of this performance which I enjoy very much. However, in the video, the singers seem completely restrained from actual acting and expressing real emotion because they are required to perform these ridiculous dance-type movements. The characters actually seem LESS real to me as a result of watching the video and that was not my purpose in viewing it. The video is cheaper than the sound recording so you might as well purchase it instead of the cd, if you like this kind of music as the singing is quite good, but don't expect a dramatic experience.

Rating:
Summary: Yee Gads What Is This?
Review: Okay, I'll admit to the fact that this period of music is not of great interest to me. But, I decided to get it a chance. While beautifully sung and played, this is the most boring thing I have ever seen in my life. For over 2 hours the principle singers moved in slow motion most of the time with the arms and hands in statuesque like positions -- it literally put me to sleep! Maybe it was effective in theatre but it sure wasn't on video. If you want it for the music and singing I would highly recommend it -- but don't bother watching it.

Rating:
Summary: Yee Gads What Is This?
Review: Okay, I'll admit to the fact that this period of music is not of great interest to me. But, I decided to get it a chance. While beautifully sung and played, this is the most boring thing I have ever seen in my life. For over 2 hours the principle singers moved in slow motion most of the time with the arms and hands in statuesque like positions -- it literally put me to sleep! Maybe it was effective in theatre but it sure wasn't on video. If you want it for the music and singing I would highly recommend it -- but don't bother watching it.

Rating:
Summary: The Cover Tells It All
Review: This opera is played by an excellent orchestra led by the excellent John Eliot Gardiner. The singing seems well-done though several of the main singers seem to sing in a style more appropriate for a later musical period with relatively pronounced vibrato. The real problem for me is Gluck's music. It is intended to be simple and unadorned as indeed the case. I find little merit or interest init. What is worse is that the stage action is very stylized and static. During an aria, it is possible that the singer will remain almost expressionless and perhaps raise his/her hand in two or three stages from waist to shoulder level. A background of stationary figues on the stage may remain almost unmoving for long periods. My wife calls this human hieroglyphics and she, justly, refuses to watch it even though the singing is quite good.

Rating:
Summary: The Cover Tells It All
Review: This opera is played by an excellent orchestra led by the excellent John Eliot Gardiner. The singing seems well-done though several of the main singers seem to sing in a style more appropriate for a later musical period with relatively pronounced vibrato. The real problem for me is Gluck's music. It is intended to be simple and unadorned as indeed the case. I find little merit or interest init. What is worse is that the stage action is very stylized and static. During an aria, it is possible that the singer will remain almost expressionless and perhaps raise his/her hand in two or three stages from waist to shoulder level. A background of stationary figues on the stage may remain almost unmoving for long periods. My wife calls this human hieroglyphics and she, justly, refuses to watch it even though the singing is quite good.