La Calisto - Francesco Cavalli (2006)

La Calisto - Francesco Cavalli (2006)
1 DVD ISO| 720x540 | MPEG-2 DVD | DTS 5.0 | Language: Italian | Subtitles: EN, FR, GER, NL | 2H58 | 7.94 GB

Artists: Maria Bayo, Marcello Lippi, Barry Banks, Louise Winter....
Stage : Herbert Wernicke| Conductor: Rene Jacobs | Director: Jacques Burton | Recording Date: 1996 | Place of recording: La Monnaie, Bruxelles

LA CALISTO has become one of my favorite operas. I like the kaleidoscopic range of voices. Marcello Lippi, in a taxing role, plays both Jove AND Jove impersonating Diana. The role requires him to sing in two totally different ranges. But the whole cast is excellent. Maria Bayo is very good here as la Calisto. A previous reviewer called this opera "camp," but it's too fine to be camp (despite the cross dressing). The classical subject (how the nymph Calisto is seduced by Jove, transformed into a bear by his jealous wife Hera, and eventually becomes the constellation Ursa Major) is very elegantly handled. The production has an intimate-yet-lavish feel, like a royal masque. It's conducted to perfection on period instruments by Rene Jacobs (in very fine form here), and sung to the hilt by the entire cast. And the music itself? As if Orpheus had written it, a cross between Monteverdi and Handel. I'll definitely be looking for more Cavalli in the future. Also included is a one hour "making of" feature, and a few other extras. The 2 disc set is exquisitely packaged by Harmonia Mundi. I give it my highest and most enthusiastic recommendation, particularly if you're a fan of baroque opera. The opera is geared to adults. It has phallic imagery and the sexual theme is sometimes treated explicity (although there's no nudity). Amazon's user comment

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