Handel - Rinaldo / Bicket, Daniels, York, Prinzregententheater Munich
by Brian Large
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Axel K?hler, David Daniels, David Walker, Deborah York, Egils SininsDirector: Brian Large
Cinematographer: Peter Czegley
Writer: Aaron Hill
Writer: Giacomo Rossi
Writer: Torquato Tasso
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Classical, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 221 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-11-18
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Kultur Video
Movie Reviews of Handel - Rinaldo / Bicket, Daniels, York, Prinzregententheater Munich
Movie Review: High Camp amid the Crusaders War Camp
Summary: 5 Stars
If you prefer your opera in stuffy period costume with static, awkward staging, then avoid this lively production of one of Handel's greatest hits. Set in the Holy Land during the First Crusade (about 1096), Goffredo of Bouillon (David Walker) is laying siege to Jerusalem, with his brother Eustazio (Axel Kohler)and his daughter Almirena (Deborah York) who loves the great Christian knight Rinaldo (David Daniels). The pagan defender of Jerusalem Argante (Eglis Silins)plots to take Almirena hostage. He is aided by an evil witch Armida (Noemi Nadelmann) who rides in on a dragon.
The singing and music of this production is flawless and this is a world-class cast. The traditional "castrato" roles are performed by countertenors which gives an authentic feel to the sound. David Daniels, in the title role, gives a splendid performance and the rest of cast are also great. Sadly, there are a lot of opera purists who hate this production because of the costumes and the staging. Why? Because this Christian encampment before the gate of the Holy City has a distinctly "camp" atmosphere.
The director is working off the theory that Handel was not so serious about this story. He has a point. Handel was not a blood and guts opera composer and many of his operas are infused with humor (Flavio, Parthenope). The "happy" ending of this opera suggests that it is meant to be a comedy. The first production in 1711 was heavy on the special effects of the era: fire-breathing dragon in a wooden theater? Handel's serious religious "oratorios" lie in his future. Handel was first and foremost a showman--he might have loved this production.
The sheer mischief of having the Christian commander-in-chief stride in like a TV evangelist and conduct a revival meeting had me laughing out loud. David Walker is tall, blonde and slightly crazy in the role of Goffredo; David Daniels is cool, dark and a bit the gangsta in his suit. Almirena comes on like the prissy chick in glasses who spends all her time at the library. The comic interplay to Handel's glorious music is broken by the kidnapping. When David Daniels sings the famous aria "Cara sposa" lamenting the disappearance of his betrothed it seems to strike with double force. This might not be "traditional" but it is great, satiric fun.
Summary of Handel - Rinaldo / Bicket, Daniels, York, Prinzregententheater Munich
From the Prinzregententheater, Munich. Special Bonus Feature: HANDEL, THE ENTERTAINER, A film by Reiner E. Moritz This exploration of Handel's operas focuses on this production of Rinaldo, setting the work in the context of the composer's overall operatic output and achievement.Art House & International DVD Video
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