Purcell: The Fairy Queen

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION


Jonathan Kent's spectacular production of Purcell's huge semi-opera is joyous, imaginative and witty Glyndebourne, with its intimate auditorium, provides the perfect setting for a drama which is partly spoken and partly sung. Based on an adaptation of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, the story is lavished with a brilliance that justifies this production's acclaim. Paul Brown's inventive designs, Kim Brandstrup's exquisite choreography, an excellent cast of actors and singers and outstanding playing by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under William Christie combine to make a seamless theatrical experience, here recorded in High Definition and true surround sound.


PRESS REVIEWS


"There are too many highlights to mention in this varied and infinitely delightful entertainment. Glyndebourne has a triumph on its hands." (The Stage)
"The whole presentation combines charm and period musicality.In most respects visually and dramatically this is a triumph." (The Penguin Guide)
"A riotously funny, ravishingly intelligent staging of Fairy Queen." (BBC Music Magazine)
".this DVD conveys an exceptionally spectacular event in the theatre." (Gramophone)
Awards Gramophone Award: DVD Performance (2010)
Cast
Lucy Crowe (Soprano)
Carolyn Sampson (Soprano)
Ed Lyon (Tenor)
Andrew Foster-Williams (Bass)
Sally Dexter (Titania)
Joseph Millson (Oberon)
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment; William Christie

Stage Director: Jonathan Kent
Catalogue Number: OA1031D
Date of Performance: 2009
Running Time: 221 minutes
Sound: 2.0 PCM & 5.1 DTS
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic
Subtitles: EN, FR, DE, ES
Label: Opus Arte



REVIEW
There are a few CD versions that i'd rather listen to the music alone,but this DVD conveys an exceptionally spectacular event in the theatre.For a visual and dramatic feast,this reunification of play and music for The Fairy Queen is an absolute triumph. DVD and Blue Ray of the month --Gramophone,sept 2010

''There are too many highlights to mention in this varied and infinitely delightful entertainment. Glyndebourne has a triumph on its hands.'' --The Stage

There s magic in the air, and it doesn't just emanate form Joseph Millson's saturnine Oberon or his athletic sidekick Puck. Musicologists might designate Purcell's brush with Shakespeare's Midsummer Night s Dream a semi-opera, but there's nothing semi about Jonathan Kent's joyous Glyndebourne production, bursting with opulent stagecraft, and achieving the near miracle of fashioning something coherent out of a piece the balancing of whose elements Kent appositely likens to corralling cats ! Altogether a riotously funny,ravishingly intelligent production. Performance ***** Recording ***** Extras **** --BBC Music Magazine,Nov 2010