The staging is wonderful. It shows that the politics and politicians never change (the country and the period are not really important). I am not sure Handel thought about this interpretation but who cares. The staging makes his opera more meaningful. And the singing is so good!
I am shocked at some of the comments I have read here. "Va tacito" is not about a hunter stalking his prey any more than Van Gogh's "Starry Night" is about stars. Senesino, Handel's first Cesare, was a celebrated male alto. Gall is the only countertenor to date who is able to give the proper weight to the lower octave in this aria (although I have hopes for Franco Fagioli). Gall sings this aria with a good deal more expression, especially in the lower register, than most countertenors, because he has so much more reserve in his voice. .For the same reason, he is able to phrase more convincingly. Yes, I have heard him live, as well as Drew Minter (beautiful!) and David Daniels, many times (huge fan). But I think Gall has the edge over those worthy singers in the Senesino operas of Handel.
I loved the singing. The staging , I agrre withdennisneo, is brillant. I know it turns this opera in kind of a opera buffa but I think it´s great how they use the play to make a satir of imperialism.
@pianofolle you wrote: "amusing and pleasant" You're certainly right. It's a good production. The orchestra is excellent (especially the horn), and the acting is also great. I love how they show Cesare as an attention-seeking politician (which I'm sure the real Caesar was, too), and Tolomeo as a silly teenager (which is also historically accurate).
I always think when people slam things on stage it distracts from the music. I get the dramatic value. I've always wondered if that's a point of debate when staging opera.
ITS HANDEL GIULIO CESAR NOT NOT NOT SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE HAVE SOME RESPECT THERE IS THE VERSION WITH ANDREAS SCHOLL WELL TWO........ THE VERSION WITH LAWRENCE ZAZZO THANK YOU CZcams FOR THE GREAT VARIETY
Yes, listen to the music...but close your eyes during this performance, IMO! I like your tag alcina69. I am a fellow Handel fan...I love "Alcina", and it is still awaiting a first-rate recording. I had high hopes for the William Christie rendition several years ago, but it was spoiled by being a live recording, and by questionable performance practices by a certain vocalist.
@Timrath You r right. but anyway..im italian and it doesnt bother me, sounds a bit exotic! besides, though i share ur very same impression of 'making fun', i think that -red with an ironic key- the all thing is amusing and pleasant. as to gall's singing, this is not is best for sure.
Point well taken, skinny is OK, especially for Tolomeo, who was a child at the time, as you say. Having heard Jeffrey Gall sing so much better (live performances, in "Messiah" and "Israel in Egypt") I remain mystified by his tone-deaf rendition of Caesar here. Perhaps he was overwhelmed by the tasteless Sellars direction and production design. BTW, I am a countertenor myself, and have no prejudice against using this vocal style in Handel opera.
@amonasro100 You're right, there is no comparency to Scholl's singing, because he IS NOT an operatic singer, though he tries continously to be one. The staging is vivid, arrogant and very amusant. One doesn't like it; is his choice. The world goes on.
The aria is about a crafty huntsman tracking his prey, not a president throwing missiles at his enemy, not to mention that pretending that Caesar is President of the United States is absurd. As for Jeffrey Gall's singing, my opinion of that hasn't changed a bit. Sorry.
Well, not every man is a hunk, some are naturally skinny. Besides, Ptolemy was still a child when this was supposed to have happened, so skinny isn't inappropriate. But I agree with your other points. Gall lacks every concept of articulation, both musical and linguistic. "Va tashito"? "Tashiator"? Aren't opera singers supposed to take Italian lessons? Why is every note he sings tenuto? This sounds like someone deliberately making fun of opera.
Awful costumes, hideous sets, Jeffrey Gall's vibrato makes me wince, and what was that business with the pens about? It made Caesar, the supposed adult, look like a spoiled, petulant brat. The only reason to pay attention to this version is Lorraine Hunt Lieberson as Sesto. Otherwise I'll take the Glyndebourne production, or even the one from Copenhagen.
Great, great lyrically. But wished I hadn't looked. Opera is also visual and Sellars production is absolutely terrible here. He's obviously trying to shock, and see how over the top he can go...but hey beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and this production is pretty damn ugly.
Peter Sellars trashes Handel. Awful singing from Gall...his intonation wavers about every other measure. Both he and Minter look like escapees from prison camp, skinny and cachectic. Goofy, ugly production, only saving grace is the late, great Lorraine Hunt.
One of the few truly great staging of a baroque opera in modern time. Peter Sellars staging of Giulio Cesare is a milestone and a masterpiece.
The staging is wonderful. It shows that the politics and politicians never change (the country and the period are not really important). I am not sure Handel thought about this interpretation but who cares. The staging makes his opera more meaningful. And the singing is so good!
I am shocked at some of the comments I have read here. "Va tacito" is not about a hunter stalking his prey any more than Van Gogh's "Starry Night" is about stars. Senesino, Handel's first Cesare, was a celebrated male alto. Gall is the only countertenor to date who is able to give the proper weight to the lower octave in this aria (although I have hopes for Franco Fagioli). Gall sings this aria with a good deal more expression, especially in the lower register, than most countertenors, because he has so much more reserve in his voice. .For the same reason, he is able to phrase more convincingly. Yes, I have heard him live, as well as Drew Minter (beautiful!) and David Daniels, many times (huge fan). But I think Gall has the edge over those worthy singers in the Senesino operas of Handel.
Greetings from Brazil Mr Gall ! You are superb!!
I love this production
I loved the singing. The staging , I agrre withdennisneo, is brillant. I know it turns this opera in kind of a opera buffa but I think it´s great how they use the play to make a satir of imperialism.
@pianofolle you wrote: "amusing and pleasant"
You're certainly right. It's a good production. The orchestra is excellent (especially the horn), and the acting is also great. I love how they show Cesare as an attention-seeking politician (which I'm sure the real Caesar was, too), and Tolomeo as a silly teenager (which is also historically accurate).
Wonderful!!!
Thanks for your replay,
Greetings from Italy !
I love the Glyndebourne performance with Sarah Connolly - including the "business" that is always so prevalent these days.
Piss off then
Good comment. For opera to survive I believe it should be constantly updated.
This is hilarious - Tolo-"mayo" (indicated by hand gesture by Cesare on bread, hehe). I liked the staging in this one, and the singing!
listen to Drew Minters performance of this aria, it is heavenly
I always take it that it is Caesar who is hunting the 'sport' carefully and silently.
Just how many pens does a man realistically need?
I always think when people slam things on stage it distracts from the music. I get the dramatic value. I've always wondered if that's a point of debate when staging opera.
Very Nice Singing
@mspg2 yes Andreas Scholl is exceptional
*is not SO sure about the brilliance of this staging*
ITS HANDEL GIULIO CESAR NOT NOT NOT
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE HAVE SOME RESPECT
THERE IS THE VERSION WITH ANDREAS SCHOLL WELL TWO........
THE VERSION WITH LAWRENCE ZAZZO
THANK YOU CZcams FOR THE GREAT VARIETY
@BayAreaBiker2001 Tell me, I dont speak italian. What are they really "talking" (singing) about?
Ma per favore povero Handel, ma come si muovono!!
Who are the singers?
A complete buffoon in a dreadful suit. But he's just SO GOOD!!!!
Drew Minter and Jeffrey Gall
Yes, listen to the music...but close your eyes during this performance, IMO! I like your tag
alcina69. I am a fellow Handel fan...I love "Alcina", and it is still awaiting a first-rate recording. I had high hopes for the William Christie rendition several years ago, but it was spoiled by being a live recording, and by questionable performance practices by a certain vocalist.
You know your history. He was indeed a child.
@Timrath You r right. but anyway..im italian and it doesnt bother me, sounds a bit exotic! besides, though i share ur very same impression of 'making fun', i think that -red with an ironic key- the all thing is amusing and pleasant. as to gall's singing, this is not is best for sure.
Does that Arabian guy has anything to do with the Cuban Missile Crisis?
Listen to Kristina Hammarström.
che vaccata
Point well taken, skinny is OK, especially for Tolomeo, who was a child at the time, as you say. Having heard Jeffrey Gall sing so much better (live performances, in "Messiah" and "Israel in Egypt") I remain mystified by his tone-deaf rendition of Caesar here. Perhaps he was overwhelmed by the tasteless Sellars direction and production design. BTW, I am a countertenor myself, and have no prejudice against using this vocal style in Handel opera.
Does it really matter how skinny that performers are? i don't think so. Listen to the music; what beauty.
Yeah. Some parts are very good, but others I couldn't even watch. Da Tempeste was painful, and Sesto's "Cara Speme" was just silly.
@amonasro100
You're right, there is no comparency to Scholl's singing, because he IS NOT an operatic singer, though he tries continously to be one.
The staging is vivid, arrogant and very amusant. One doesn't like it; is his choice. The world goes on.
Inguardabile!!!
I DONT CARE WHOEVER SAYS THE DONT FEEL
LIKE THEY ARE WATCHING SNL COULD NOT B
TOTALLY HONEST
Eeeeeehhhhh!!!!???
The aria is about a crafty huntsman tracking his prey, not a president throwing missiles at his enemy, not to mention that pretending that Caesar is President of the United States is absurd.
As for Jeffrey Gall's singing, my opinion of that hasn't changed a bit. Sorry.
what in THEE hell?
THE GREAT S CECILIA BARTOLI AND INGER DAM-JENSEN NATALIE DESSAY THEN THE SUBLIME ANDREAS SCHOLL, JAMES BOWMAN
LAWRENCE ZAZZO SHOP AROUND DONT SETTLE
David Daniels has recorded some of the arias - they are unsurpassed.
Well, not every man is a hunk, some are naturally skinny. Besides, Ptolemy was still a child when this was supposed to have happened, so skinny isn't inappropriate.
But I agree with your other points. Gall lacks every concept of articulation, both musical and linguistic. "Va tashito"? "Tashiator"? Aren't opera singers supposed to take Italian lessons? Why is every note he sings tenuto? This sounds like someone deliberately making fun of opera.
Singing 10
Production(Scenery etc) 4
Directing(Strange hand movements etc) 0
Am I right in thinking this a production bu the god awful Peter Sellars?
This is a little unfair.
Awful costumes, hideous sets, Jeffrey Gall's vibrato makes me wince, and what was that business with the pens about? It made Caesar, the supposed adult, look like a spoiled, petulant brat. The only reason to pay attention to this version is Lorraine Hunt Lieberson as Sesto. Otherwise I'll take the Glyndebourne production, or even the one from Copenhagen.
Great, great lyrically. But wished I hadn't looked. Opera is also visual and Sellars production is absolutely terrible here. He's obviously trying to shock, and see how over the top he can go...but hey beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and this production is pretty damn ugly.
laughable adaptation as are most operas these days. Too bad. Why do people buy into this?
Solita pagliacciata del solito regista alternativo, musica splendida suonata con sufficienza, canto mediocre.
Peter Sellars trashes Handel. Awful singing from Gall...his intonation wavers about every other measure. Both he and Minter look like escapees from prison camp, skinny and cachectic. Goofy, ugly production, only saving grace is the late, great Lorraine Hunt.