Additional Agrippina from Liceu

Here are three "fan" videos from Handel's Agrippina from Liceu. Aren't smartphones wonderful? (although the sound is a bit wonky on the Danielle clip.)

More Agrippina from Liceu

What I didn't mention in my last Agrippina post is that the staging in Liceu is by David McVicar. (Partly because that’s not as pertinent when listening on the radio.) So far, I haven't seen any naked executioners, but there is cocaine use, some smooth Gene Kelly style hoofing, and an amusing vignette in which Sarah Connolly (not in pants, for a change) and Danielle de Niese show up at a party wearing the same gown. 

Danielle De Niese i Sarah Connolly. (foto: A. Bofill)

These are among the videos (below) that the Gran Teatre del Liceu have shared for us on the Toob of Yooo. Can there be a full video out there on the horizon? 

Monteverdi Monday – Danielle De Niese and Philippe Jaroussky



Danielle De Niese

Philippe Jaroussky

So, Nerone does end up with Poppea after all, in the final scene of L'Incoronazione di Poppea. Their beautiful love duet is an ironic ending to a cynical opera. 

This is the Pizzi production again.  

Gratuitous Friday – Luca Pisaroni is Figaro

The Marriage of Figaro, set in a car dealership.

I have not seen this entire production lately, as I loaned the DVD to my Dad.  It's not very regie, mostly because the director doesn't do enough (in my opinion) with the (potentially clever) updated setting (the Almaviva Motors showroom.)  Figaro works out the floor plan on the computer instead of measuring. And later, Cherubino hides in the car.  But Luca Pisaroni and Danielle de Niese  sing beautifully; and they do make a really cute couple.