Monteverdi: Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria / Harnoncourt [Box set]

Claudio Monteverdi (Artist), Concentus musicus Wien (Artist), Paul Esswood (Artist), Max van Egmond (Artist), Nikolaus Harnoncourt (Artist), Ladislaus Anderko (Artist), Sven Olof Eliasson (Artist), Kurt Equiluz (Artist), Wolfgang Erichson (Artist), Margaret Baker-Genovesi (Artist), Kai Hansen (Artist), Murray Dickie (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 11, 1993)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000000SBD
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #253,744 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Prologo: 'Mortal cosa son io' - C. Monteverdi

2. Atto primo: I. 'Di misera regina' - C. Monteverdi

3. II. 'Duri e penosi' - C. Monteverdi

4. V. 'Superbo è l'huom' - C. Monteverdi

5. VI. 'In questo basso mondo' - C. Monteverdi

6. VII. 'Dormo ancora o son desto?' - C. Monteverdi

See all 9 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. XI. 'Come, oh come mal si salva un' - C. Monteverdi

2. XII. 'Pastor d'armenti' - C. Monteverdi

3. XIII. 'Ulisse generoso' - C. Monteverdi

4. Atto secondo: I. 'Lieto cammino' - C. Monteverdi

5. II. 'O gran figlio d'Ulisse' - C. Monteverdi

6. III. 'Che veggio, ohimè, che miro?' - C. Monteverdi

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. XII. 'Sempre villano Eumete' - Monteverdi

2. Atto terzo: I. 'O dolor' - Monteverdi

3. III. E quai nuovi rumori' - Monteverdi

4. IV. 'Forza d'occulto affetto' - Monteverdi

5. V. 'È saggio Eumete' - Monteverdi

6. VI. 'Fiamma è l'ira' - Monteverdi

See all 10 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Scholarly '70s Baroque revival - but vocally disappointing, January 19, 2001

By 

Marion Capriotti "missmvc" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Monteverdi: Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria / Harnoncourt (Audio CD)

Now that Baroque opera is no longer a novelty, this recording is more of a good study source and historical document than a performance. In 1971 Harnoncourt was one of the few international artists to champion Monteverdi et al; today, although the musical values (original instruments, tempi, continuo realization, etc.) are impeccable, this recording disappoints because the singing is so uneven (the Ulisse, Sven-Olof Eliasson, is a real operatic baritone with a lush, ringing sound; the Penelope, Norma Lerer, sings well but with the limited sound of a church alto; meanwhile, some other major roles are sung very badly indeed). Today, any music school putting on a production of "Ulisse" would use Harnoncourt's recording as a scholarly starting point, but would cast the opera with much better voices.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars May be Monteverdi's best opera, March 2, 2003

By 

R. Rockwell (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Monteverdi: Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria / Harnoncourt (Audio CD)

Accept two caveats before reading this review. First I have not listened to any other version and secondly, I have no musial education. I can only supply a wholly subjective view.
This is a very human story despite it's origins in the mythic witings of Homer. A poetic libretto, one of the best in opera, is by Giocomo Baduara.
The scores of Poppea and Ritorno exist as only a vocal lines and continuo Harnncourt has opted a variety of intruments that were in common use and his choice to use particular instruments adds to the dramatic intrigue.
I found that I enjoyed the opera from beginning to it's glorious end when Penelope finally recognizes Odysseus. The conducting by Harnoncourt makes up for any problems(?) with the singers.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb very early classical music, April 21, 2008

By 

Patrick W. Crabtree "The Old Grottomaster" (Lucasville, OH USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Monteverdi: Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria / Harnoncourt (Audio CD)

If you're breaking into Classical Music and have been turned off by the very early works, I would encourage you to have a listen to these songs which come from one of the very earliest operas ever written.

Claudio Montiverdi lived from 1567 to 1643. This opera was written in Venice not long before his death and is all about "The Homecoming of Odysseus".

The instruments used in conveying this rare composition are those which were in popular use at the time, so the sound is refreshingly unique, not something that you're likely to hear elsewhere.

The work is quite lengthy, adhering strictly to the original poem which serves as the libretto. The three-CD set comes with a very nice 162-page liner booklet which outlines the general story, the instrumentation, and lists the entire libretto.

This CD represents a masterpiece of very early operetic work.