Search - Handel - Agrippina / Daniels, Kuebler, Hall, von Kannen, Ostman, Schwetzingen Opera Festival on DVD

Probably the best of an ordinary bunch

Peter Murray | 08/09/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"While this 1985 performance by the Koln Opera at the Schwetzingen Opera Festival shares a few of the faults of its only other DVD competition, most notably in the transposition of roles, the direction by Michael Hampe is unobtrusively enjoyable and, as usual with his productions, boasts breathtakingly beautiful sets and costumes by Maruo Pagano. The orchestra and conductor are exemplary period performers and are a delight to listen to and while none of the rest of the cast can match Barbara Daniels' high level of dramatic and vocal delivery it is, by and large, a most enjoyable experience. I'd have been quite happy to sit through this performance in the theatre and, until a better recording comes along, will be content revisiting this DVD."

Most Pleasing Handel

drkhimxz | Freehold, NJ, USA | 02/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've not seen the two competitive DVD's of this opera currently listed by Amazon so make no comparative judgments.

This is a fine production in every respect: song, scenery, acting, costumes. Not being purist in that regard, even were I to have found the director straying from the original, it would not bother me so long as the result is entertaining. This was quite entertaining with the humor delivered without blatant clowning and the arias sung engagingly and to good effect. Certainly one is able to grasp each of the central characters and take pleasure in their devious maneuvering to obtain their objectives. If you are the average viewer, I am confident that you will be gratified by this offering.

And, oh that Handel music!"