Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Chor und Orchester der Oper Zürich - Offenbach: La belle Hélène (1997)
Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Chor und Orchester der Oper Zürich - Offenbach: La belle Hélène (1997)
PAL 16:9 (720x576) | Français (LinearPCM, 2 ch) | 5.73 Gb (DVD9) | 124 min
Classical | Arthaus Musik | Sub: Deutsch, English
PAL 16:9 (720x576) | Français (LinearPCM, 2 ch) | 5.73 Gb (DVD9) | 124 min
Classical | Arthaus Musik | Sub: Deutsch, English
A superficial view may regard Offenbach’s lightweight masterpiece, La belle Hélène, as „merely“ an opera buffa. But closer scrutiny of this charming, imaginative firework of intrigue makes one thing clear: the story of the Greek queen who started off the Trojan war is, in this version, a humorous and satirical caricature of the vulgar, decadent Parisian upper classes of Offenbach’s own day. Who better suited to produce a modern rendering of this work than the now highly acclaimed Nikolaus Harnoncourt, who also ensured the work’s historical accuracy? Employing a small string section, shining, colourful brass and richly varied percussion, the opera still strikes one as exceptionally modern. This impression is also enhanced by the designers of the production, recorded in 1997 at the Zurich Opera House: no less a figure than the fashion designer Jean–Charles de Castelbajac was responsible for the humorously expansive costumes; and the highly subtle stage–set was the work of Paolo Pivas.
Cast:
Hélène - Vesselina Kasarova
Pâris - Deon van der Walt
Calchas - Carlos Chausson
Ménélas - Volker Vogel
Agamemnon - Oliver Widmer
Oreste - Liliana Nichiteanu
Ajax I - Ruben Amoretti
Ajax II - Cheyne Davidson
Achilles - Steve Davislim
Bacchis - Ruth Rohner
Leona - Ulrika Precht
Parthoenis - Lisa Larsson
Filocomes - Karl Adam
Euthycles - Jean-Paul Beglin
Chor und Orchester der Oper Zürich
Conductor - Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Chor und Orchester der Oper Zürich - Offenbach: La belle Hélène (1997)
Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Chor und Orchester der Oper Zürich - Offenbach: La belle Hélène (1997)
Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Chor und Orchester der Oper Zürich - Offenbach: La belle Hélène (1997)
Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Chor und Orchester der Oper Zürich - Offenbach: La belle Hélène (1997)
Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Chor und Orchester der Oper Zürich - Offenbach: La belle Hélène (1997)
