Product Details

• Actors: Maria Ewing, Dennis Bailey, Cynthia Clarey, Dale Duesing, Robert Lloyd
• Directors: Peter Hall, Robin Lough
• Writers: Giovanni Francesco Busenello
• Format: Classical, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Kultur Video
• DVD Release Date: February 10, 2004
• Run Time: 150 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00019G8AG
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #36,617 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Musicals & Performing Arts > Classical > By Performer > Ewing, Maria

• For more information about "Monteverdi - L'Incoronazione Di Poppea / Leppard, Ewing, Bailey, Duesing, Lloyd, Gale, Clarey, Glyndebourne" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In Sir Peter Hall's Glyndebourne Festival Opera staging (from 1984) of Monteverdi's magnificent final opera about the love affair between Emperor Nero and the sultry Poppea--as Sir Peter recounts in a short introduction--the world of ancient Rome is shown through the prism of the Renaissance, when Monteverdi composed it. Sir Peter's clever conceit works because the Renaissance-era costumes seamlessly blend with the set design, which is vague enough to suggest both the ancient time of the story and what was then Monteverdi's modern era.

The performance itself has splendid touches. Maria Ewing, then at her considerable vocal and dramatic peak, makes a wonderfully silky Poppea: it's easy to see why Nero (well sung, if too obviously enacted, by Dennis Bailey) has the hots for her against all morality and common sense. Raymond Leppard conducts a freshly enervating account of Monteverdi's score, which remains one of the true glories of the Baroque era. Note: the video box states 120 minutes, but the performance actually lasts 150 minutes. --Kevin Filipski

Product Description

Glyndebourne Festival Opera production of Claudio Monteverdi’s last and greatest opera. Stars Maria Ewing and Dennis Bailey. The London Philharmonic conducted by Raymond Leppard.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps the best opera on DVD, May 2, 2004

By	Barry D. Steben (Singapore) - See all my reviews

In addition to a large collection of (mostly) Baroque operas on CD, I have over 75 operas on DVD, some in more than one version, as well Monteverdi's other two operas on DVD, which are also incredible. But this recording of L'Incoronazione di Poppea takes the cake, whether in terms of the beauty of the music, the effectiveness of the staging and costumes, the quality of the acting and singing of the principals, or even the dramatic and literary intensity of the story. The video recording is a little old, so the picture is slightly grainy, but the sound quality (though only in Dolby stereo) is incomparable, the production and conducting without peer. I am quite sure I will still feel the same after viewing it ten or fifteen times, though so far I have only watched it twice. This is a must-buy for any lover of Baroque music, and it is one of the operatic masterpieces of all time. It should be included in every course in the history of opera.

30 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A stunning production on all levels!, May 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Monteverdi's L'Incoronazione Di Poppea [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Maria Ewing is at her best! This production is profound, well sung and well acted. Naturally, the music and sound quality are also wonderful. Opera fans and novices alike will marvel at this Glyndebourne Festival Opera performance. See the Roman Emperor Nero and his equally amoral lover, the seductive Poppea, as they tread upon all that is Good. Even the just philosopher Seneca cannot escape their evil machinations. A must-see for classicists, historians, opera fans and anyone else who enjoys high quality theatrical performance. The brief introduction and excellent subtitles help in making this production an unforgettable opera experience.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular, April 1, 2006

By	Peter M. LaChapelle - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

The Glyndebourne Festival Opera made this a magnificent production of L'Incoronazione di Poppea. Even if you're not an avid opera fan, you will find that both the music of Monteverdi and the staging of the opera by Glyndebourne will enthrall you. If you also happen to be interested in foreign languages, you have the added bonus of subtitles in French, German and Spanish, not to mention English. This recording is really spectacular. I've only had it a month and I'm afraid I'm going to wear it out because I keep playing certain segments over and over again. You'll be glad you purchased this one for your collection, I assure you.