Enjoy the world premiere of the full and original version of Merlin by Isaac Albéniz, over a century after he completed the work. Albéniz composed this ‘Wagnerian’ opera to an English libretto by his patron Francis Burdett Money-Coutts between 1898 and 1902. Many believed the score was lost, until the conductor José De Eusebio reconstructed it from various manuscript sources and publishers’ proofs. For this stunning production director John Drew created a world of magic and fantasy, using evocative sets, and splendid lighting.

David Wilson-Johnson, Eva Marton, Stuart Skelton, Carol Vaness, Angel Odena, Victor Garcia Sierra, Angel Rodriguez, Juan Tomas Martinez, Federico Gallar, Eduardo Santamaria
The Madrid symphony Orchestra and Choir / José de Eusebio
Stage Director John Dew

Plus


Interviews with David Wilson-Johnson, Eva Marton and conductor José de Eusebio
Cast Gallery
28 page, full colour illustrated booklet in English, French and German


Reviews
‘Jose de Eusebio fittingly conducts the Madrid Symphony Orchestra and Choir here in this lavish and colourful production, staged at the Teatro Real in Madrid and directed by John Drew.’
www.dvdreviewer.co.uk

‘Iberian, Wagnerian and Arthurian - the complete version of Isaac Albeniz’s 101-year-old Merlin, a Spanish opera with British undertones – or the other way round. …vivid spectacle…languid beauty… Star Trek meets Harry Potter designs…magical effects.’
The Times

‘The lost opera of Camelot takes centre stage in Madrid - Camelot, the court of King Arthur, has been rediscovered in Madrid. To give an exact location, it is in the Teatro Real, where an expectant house has been thrilled by the world premiere of Merlin, the “lost” opera of Isaac Albeniz’
The Times

‘The balance may well be tipped with this DVD from Madrid. The elaborately and expensively staged premiere was by all accounts "an event", and the Prelude makes a compelling start with a magisterial Merlin wielding the sword before plunging it into the Stone. The images created by director John Dew and his team at the Teatro Real make one look forward to further stage and plot wizardry. David Wilson-Johnson sings with authority and beautiful tone and the orchestra plays with understanding and passion. Costumes are magnificent… To end, a wonderful stage picture with the slave Nivian responding to Merlin's call and being gathered into his arms. Some of the images are as fine as you will see on operatic DVD. Sound and picture (16:9) quality are excellent and this is an opera well worth exploring for something different and unique… this DVD certainly eclipses and replaces the CD recording as a first recommendation.’
Musical Pointers

‘The music of Merlin, once released on CD is made all the more interesting on this double DVD. Eva Marton and David Wilson Johnson star and the music is superb.’
La Libre

'John Drew’s direction sets out the story clearly and the stylised sets and costumes (designed respectively by Heinz Balthes and Jose Manuel Vazquez) are medieval enough to create the right atmosphere but with a touch of science ficton.
David Wilson-Johnson commanding and noble as Merlin, with the American tenor, Stuart Skelton as Arthur, powerful rather than subtle. The chorus work is first-rate, and, as in the audio recording, Eusebio draws warmly committed playing from the Madrid Symphony Orchestra. What above all shines out is the richness and variety of Albéniz’s musical inspiration.'
The Gramophone

CAT NO: OA 0888 D
FORMAT: All Formats
REGIONS: All Regions
PICTURE FORMAT: 16:9
LENGTH: 184 MINS
SOUND: DOLBY SURROUND / LPCM STEREO
SUBTITLES: EN/FR/DE/ES
RELEASED: 01/04/2004
NO OF DISCS: 2