Product Details

• Actors: Philippe Rouillon, Michele Command, Lucile Vignon, Alain Gabriel, Philippe Bohee
• Directors: Pierre Jourdan
• Format: Classical, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: French
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Kultur Video
• DVD Release Date: November 22, 2005
• Run Time: 200 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000BP86V4
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #116,343 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Saint-Saens Henry VIII" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Saint-Saën’s most successful opera, after Samson et Dalila, centers on the period of Henry’s life where his political ambitions and his defiance of Rome intertwine with his rejection of Catherine of Aragon and his marriage to Anne Boleyn. Saint-Saëns’ score makes a strong impression, especially in the jealous confrontations between the two queens. Noted director and producer Pierre Jourdan has been staging opera since 1968. In 1988, he founded the Théâtre Français de la Musique and the association Pour le Théâtre Impérial in the Théâtre Impérial de Compiègne. Every year, he directs and produces different lyric works with the mission to rediscover the French musical and lyrical repertoire from the post-baroque to today and to restore an authentic French style to the singers and the orchestras which accompany them. These productions have been triumphantly welcomed by the public and critics alike.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars French Opera at its best, January 31, 2006

By 

Giles Bernard J. Hall "Brgilesbernard" (Tasmania; Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Saint-Saens Henry VIII (DVD)

Henry Vll - Saint-Saëns: I have had the CD's of this opera for some time now; from the same production, and I was elated when I saw it had been released on DVD. Having viewed it, my opinion of this under-produced opera has strengthened. It is well cast and the settings and costumes are sumptuous to say the least. Philippe ROUILLON is a formidable Henry, in fact one could be forgiven for confusing him with the real Henry. Michèle COMMAND gives a commanding performance as Catherine of Aragon (if you'll pardon the pun). Her rendition of "À ta bonté souveraine," from Act lll, just about brought the house down.

Lucile VIGNON's light Mezzo voice gives Anne Bolyn just the right weight. Alain GABRIEL as Don Gomez has a nice light tenor voice, however a little under-powered for what the role demands. I don't know whether it was the positioning of the microphones or what, but in the ensembles the soloists tended to get lost. One really had to strain to pick them out. The production was first rate and the sound over-all was excellent even if it was only in 2 channel stereo. Permanent English subtitles to follow the plot.

The End credits and encores went nearly as long as the opera. This is a generous DVD with a total playing time of just over 200 minutes. My only gripe with Kultur DVD's is the limited information you get with them. Only a slick with the tracks on it, but, I suppose we should be grateful for that. Let's hope that this will start a revival of Henry Vlll's in our opera houses. If you are seriously into French Opera, bye it, you won't be disappointed.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars for Henry VIII, April 16, 2006

By 

Corvus Corax "CC Crow" (New York) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Saint-Saens Henry VIII (DVD)

As a dedicated Puccini opera buff, I found myself overwhelmed by this powerful, colorful and soulful Saint-Saens Henry VIII. The broadcast won't let go. Having watched it on television several times, I have yet to tire of it, and recommend it highly to anyone who wants to broaden his or her scope of how well less well known opera can stand up to the competition. Bravo!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding production, April 14, 2006

By 

Magnus the Berlioz fan "Beauty is best" (Stockholm, Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Saint-Saens Henry VIII (DVD)

This is an outstanding production that I seriously recommend. Saint Sains wrote many operas that are totally neglected today. Many of them had historical themes and were completelly out of fashion when Wagners "fantasy operas" ruled the opera world. Lets hope we will heare more of this brilliant composers neglected operas!