Alcina DVD
Have you got yours yet?
Vesselina Kasarova as Ruggiero with Anja Harteros as Alcina
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The long awaited date arrived two days ago. On 31st August the DVD of the Vienna State Opera’s production of Handel’s “Alcina” was released and opera lovers, mezzo lovers, Handel lovers, Baroque lovers and especially Kasarova/Harteros lovers, will be feeling mounting excitement as they wait for their copy to be delivered to their door.
The production, by Adrian Noble, was a first for this opera house as it was thought that the more intimate sounds of a baroque orchestra were not suited to the venue. However it went ahead in November last year after a huge amount of White Shirt anticipation and some really lucky people, including White Shirts, attended – some more than once! Our very own Thadieu was good enough to post her impressions at the very first opportunity. This was followed by posts containing reviews, lots of wonderful photographs and then, the minute some clips appeared on YouTube the White Shirt Alert went out.We knew that a DVD would be released because Thadieu saw the cameras at one of the performances.
Whilst we were waiting for the release of said DVD we could watch, listen and anticipate because Thadieu made a playlist and posted lots of our favourite Kasarova arias.
I could not get to the Vienna production but was fortunate to go to The Barbican last November to see the concert version which had just been successful in Paris. Seeing and hearing Frau Kasarova live was top of my Opera Bucket List and suffice to say I was bowled over* by the experience. I took my camera and made a shaky attempt at capturing the event so I could remember in detail but I was fortunate that Intermezzo allowed me to use her much more professional photos. The concert version gave me a fabulous view of the remarkable Marc Minkowski and Les Musiciens du Louvre, Grenoble. The orchestral ensemble playing and accompanying was second to none and I immediately became an avid fan. The one disappointment I had with the production was that the wonderful Anja Harteros was indisposed and was replaced by Inga Kalna – lovely singer with poise but I could detect no chemistry at all between Ruggiero and Alcina. It will therefore be very interesting indeed when she reprises the role at the Weiner Staatsoper in late September with Frau Kasarova. If you visit their site you will find a good photo gallery and an even better video. By doing so you may well begin to understand why some of us are preparing to be VERY HAPPY INDEED!
*Bowled over is a very English expression and really means … transformed into a raving fan-girl.
If you love incomparable singing to a fabulous baroque orchestra combined with remarkable and compelling acting and have become interested in joining the queue for this fabulous DVD, then see Thadieu’s link
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Since it is White Shirt Weekend I cannot go with posting an Alcina photo.
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Whether you are waiting for your DVD, waiting for Godot or just waiting ……
HAVE A WONDERFUL WHITE SHIRT WEEKEND!
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Move over Alice there’s a new Ruggerio in town ! ( but dont go too far!) The Lady Harteros is new to me she looks great in those costumes not entirely sure about the wig ?
So, a Harteros newbie huh. Many delights in store for you then! We should just get Dr. T going about her favourite “strangling” aria or the Hippy Hippy Shake
PS. Did you know she was a Cardiff winner?
ah, the wig, it’ll grow on you i think, along w/ Lady H… aahhh
just put in my order, so excited. won’t get it for another month though. as Smorgy said, they always release later here in US.
and thanks Eyes for all the mentions, that was soo hard for me to leave Vienna
No Alcina post would be complete without a mention and link to The Alcina Expert!
So kind of you putting all the relevant links on one post!
I can’t wait for my DVD to arrive. Hopefully the computer will play it if the DVD player doesn’t. I’m pretty sure some critics will pan it, but from all the clips I’ve seen I’m highly optimistic indeed. Thanks for a really cool start to another White Shirt Weekend, Eyes! 
Some of us managed to “acquire” the whole playlist onto our hard drives but I have to say the German subtitles are really annoying ( especially if you are trying for a good screen grab) !!
that pix above, just breaks me heart, next to
Frau HAlcina and singing about another…Hey, Dr. T, nice to see someone around – it’s been strangely quiet today. That little alteration you mentioned will be made asap.
I haven’t placed my order yet – I’m trying to justify £30+ for a video I already have, allbeit in chunks with German subtitles all over it.
I see it is coming to Amazon but is not yet available there. Where do you order from?
PS. Have you seen this? http://arcadia.at/sites/dynamic.pl?action=shop&item=328&group=4
ah, greetings Eyes, it could be the last days of summer and everyone is running outside enjoying last bit of it (i sure was, lovingly humid here
). Yes i’ve seen the book mentioned somewhere (on some blog, the english version…). Re alcina, i got mine on amazon, which is why i’ll have to wait another month. that price is quite steep, given that it’s even cheaper in US (less than $30 + free shipping). You can always wait a couple of years and pick up the used version 
. some of the amazon site in USA ship abroad no? (though not sure if the shipping price is justified…)
ps- are you out tomorrow? i’ll be tuning in to Frau K’s marguerite.
Remind me of the time of Marguerite please? ( and the station )
oops, sorry, was too busy checking out ms. maggie smith in fine fine clothing (link courtesy of DtO).
broadcast info (link courtesy of Smorgy).
Konzert 04.09.2011 · 20:03 Uhr (that must be central eastern time??)
I would like to try to listen. I’ll drop in at your place and see if you are in.
I’m off to bed now – night, night!