C line Scheen - Venus & Adonis - DVD

Two classic court operas are brought together to tell the stories of love, be it between gods or royalty in the historic Confidencen Theatre, Sweden. Venus & Adonis, composed in 1683 by John Blow, is considered the earliest example of English opera. It tells the enchanting story of two mythical lovers and their cruel fate in scenes reaching from light-hearted comedy to heartfelt despair. Henry Purcell's Dido & Aeneas from 1689 has become one of the most famous and beloved operas from the Baroque era, with it's sumptuous music, dramatic plot and it's themes of love, friendship, jealousy, and cruelty. The opera is perhaps best known for Dido's painfully beautiful lament When I am Laid in Earth.

Two classic court operas are brought together to tell the stories of love, be it between gods or royalty in the historic Confidencen Theatre, Sweden. Venus & Adonis, composed in 1683 by John Blow, is considered the earliest example of English opera. It tells the enchanting story of two mythical lovers and their cruel fate in scenes reaching from light-hearted comedy to heartfelt despair. Henry Purcell's Dido & Aeneas from 1689 has become one of the most famous and beloved operas from the Baroque era, with it's sumptuous music, dramatic plot and it's themes of love, friendship, jealousy, and cruelty. The opera is perhaps best known for Dido's painfully beautiful lament When I am Laid in Earth.

Mozart's final opera returns to Glyndebourne after an absence of nearly 20 years in a 'stark, compelling and very well acted' production directed by Claus Guth. Richard Croft sings the title role 'with exemplary stylistic poise and tonal sweetness', and Anna Stéphany is a Sesto 'touchingly full of angst and remorse... with terrific élan and immaculate technical control' in the arias (The Telegraph) - her InchParto, PartoInch 'simply breathtaking' (The Guardian). Guth's vision sets the first-century Roman story in a two-storey office suite bureaucracy 'exquisitely lit by Olaf Winter', aptly framing the scheming of Vitelia, sung by Alice Coote 'in terrific form'. The OAE under Robin Ticciati 'brings out the sheer beauty' of Mozart's score (Express). Extra features on this include 'When Worlds Divide' and a cast gallery. The press gave rave reviews '... The director gives an exceptionally convincing cast the time to develop their characters, conflicting relationships and moral dilemmas' (The Times) 'Conductor Robin Ticciati combined elegance with urgency' (The Guardian) 'Stark, compelling and very well acted' (The Daily Telegraph)