Berlioz: Les Troyens (Paris, 2003)

Cast: Gregory Kunde (Ènée), Susan Graham (Didon), Anna Caterina Antonacci (Cassandra/Clio), Renata Pokupic (Anna), Ludovic Tézier (Chorèbe), Nicolas Testé (Panthée), Laurent Naouri (Narba, Le Grande Prêtre), Mark Padmore (Iopas), René Schirrer (Priam/Mercure); Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique, John Eliot Gardiner (conductor), Yannis Kokkos (designer), Peter Maniura (video director)

Recorded at Théâtre du Chatelet in Paris, October 2003

Issued on DVD by Opus Arte in 2004 [OA 0900 D, PAL/all regions, menus in English, subtitles in English, French, German, Spanish]

Technical details
Aspect ratio 16/9
Sound DTS 5.1, PCM Stereo

Running time: 246 minutes

Sung in French
One is tempted to review this release with a simple collection of adjectives: faithful, inspiring, exciting, enjoyable - but that would be oversimplifying. Within the constraints of the lyricism Gardiner finds in the score, it is hard to imagine a more satisfying recording. The production is simplified and modern, though all the images needed are brought forth at the appropriate moments. One can hope that the use of mirrors to expand the stage will be adopted elsewhere as effectively and as discretely.

The singing is uniformly excellent and balanced - none of the artists stands out above the ensemble. Given the opera as lyric drama, neither lyricism nor drama is sacrificed. The orchestra realizes Berlioz's score as no other has on recording; some credit may be given to the unique instruments called for, but more to its excellence overall and its ability to play as a chamber group while shaking the hall. Even the video direction is notable with ample lighting, brilliant images and consistent focus on the heart of the action.

One can find fault. The ballet is weak bordering on the ludicrous. The vaunted surround sound is detectable but hardly a cause for excitement. But the dance is brief, the sonics are rich and full and the pleasures are vastly greater than the limitations.
 
Related website:
BBC Opus Arte: www.opusarte.com/
Michael Richter, 29 January 2005
mrichter@cpl.net
 
See also Michael Richter's Introduction to the DVD, for a list of other reviews see the DVD Project page.