Handel - Julius Caesar / Mackerras, Baker, Masterson, English National Opera
Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Baroque opera is an acquired taste, but this 1984 English National Opera production of Julius Caesar, sacrificing some elements of authenticity, makes it fairly easy to acquire. Handel's Italian text is sung in an English translation, with subtitles to enhance clarity. The long, complex score is somewhat shortened and simplified, and the soloists (particularly the expertly cast women) are attentive to dramatic as well as musical values. Set and costume designs are generally excellent, with the notable exception of the absurd costume James Bowman wears in the role of Ptolemy.
Musically, Charles Mackerras conducts with a fine sense of Handelian style, and the singers scrupulously observe baroque conventions on phrasing and ornamentation. Caesar was one of Janet Baker's classic roles, and it is good to have it on video, though it would have been even better if it had been taped a few years earlier. Della Jones, Sarah Walker, and Valerie Masterson are excellent. --Joe McLellan
Description
Dame Janet Baker, in one of her greatest roles, leads a cast of Britain's finest interpreters of baroque opera, and their performance under the baton of Sir Charles Mackerras is one of the highest in musical excellence. Re-staged in a studio, John Copley's acclaimed English National Opera production skillfully uses all the technical advantages to create this excellent program. 180 minutes.
Janet Baker: Julius Caesar
Valerie Masterson: Cleopatra
Sarah Walker: Cornelia
Della Jones: Sextus
James Bowman: Tolomeo
John Tomlinson: Achillas
John Kitchiner: Curio
Tomemlyn Williams: Nirenus
Brian Casey: Pothinus
Average customer rating: 
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Handel - Julius Caesar / Mackerras, Baker, Masterson, English National Opera
Starring: Janet Baker , Valerie Masterson , Sarah Walker , Della Jones , and James Bowman (II) Director: John Michael Phillips Manufacturer: Image Entertainment ProductGroup: DVD Binding: DVD  General
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ASIN: B00005M20F Release Date: 2001-08-28 |
Amazon.com
Baroque opera is an acquired taste, but this 1984 English National Opera production of Julius Caesar, sacrificing some elements of authenticity, makes it fairly easy to acquire. Handel's Italian text is sung in an English translation, with subtitles to enhance clarity. The long, complex score is somewhat shortened and simplified, and the soloists (particularly the expertly cast women) are attentive to dramatic as well as musical values. Set and costume designs are generally excellent, with the notable exception of the absurd costume James Bowman wears in the role of Ptolemy.Musically, Charles Mackerras conducts with a fine sense of Handelian style, and the singers scrupulously observe baroque conventions on phrasing and ornamentation. Caesar was one of Janet Baker's classic roles, and it is good to have it on video, though it would have been even better if it had been taped a few years earlier. Della Jones, Sarah Walker, and Valerie Masterson are excellent. --Joe McLellan
Description
Dame Janet Baker, in one of her greatest roles, leads a cast of Britain's finest interpreters of baroque opera, and their performance under the baton of Sir Charles Mackerras is one of the highest in musical excellence. Re-staged in a studio, John Copley's acclaimed English National Opera production skillfully uses all the technical advantages to create this excellent program. 180 minutes. Janet Baker: Julius Caesar
Valerie Masterson: Cleopatra
Sarah Walker: Cornelia
Della Jones: Sextus
James Bowman: Tolomeo
John Tomlinson: Achillas
John Kitchiner: Curio
Tomemlyn Williams: Nirenus
Brian Casey: Pothinus
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